Joseph Michael Calleja (November 9, 1974 – November 16, 2000),[2][3][4] known by his stage name Joe C., was an American rapper, best known for being a hype man for fellow rapper Kid Rock.[4]
Calleja was born in Trenton, Michigan, and grew up in nearby Taylor.[2][3] Since childhood, he had been treated for celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder that limited his height to 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m), and required him to take dozens of pills and undergo dialysis daily.[5][6][7]
Calleja first met Detroit-area musician Kid Rock at a concert by the latter in Roseville, Michigan in 1994.[7] Rock initially mistook Calleja for a child. "He used to come to all my shows. He'd be standing on tables in the front row singing the lyrics."[8] Rock subsequently brought Calleja into his act: "He's talking and I'm like, would you like a job? He's like, I can't do anything. I'm like, it's not important right now. I was like, you got attitude flying all over this room. I was like, I'll teach you everything you need to know."[8]
In 1997, Calleja posed with two naked strippers for an album cover for rapper Shortcut. A photo lab reported the image as possible child pornography, but the investigation was closed less than a day later when Joe C. verified his age to be 23.[9]
On November 16, 2000, Calleja died in his sleep at his parents' home in Taylor, Michigan, from complications from celiac disease.[7] His death was determined to be from natural causes and no autopsy was performed.[6] Kid Rock released a statement on Calleja's death: "Family and friends are everything; without them, all of the fame and fortune means nothing. We have lost part of our family. Joey gave us, and the world, his love. He brought a smile to everyone who has ever known or seen him. In a world full of confusion, Joey made all of us laugh. No matter what color, religion, race, or beliefs we have, he made us all smile. He gave us the gift of joy. Joey, thank you. We will never forget you. We love you."[11] Rock dedicated his 2001 album Cocky to Calleja.
