Joe Cassano

The Profile

Giovanni “Joe Cassano” Cassano, aka Johnny Jab, was an Italo‑American Italian rapper with a distinctive, original flow. Active in the 1990s, he collaborated with Inoki, Uomini di Mare and PMC. Remembered through the tribute release Dio Lodato, he passed away on April 4, 1999.

Real name: Giovanni Cassano; Aliases: Joe Cassano, Johnny Jab; Italian/Italo‑American rapper active in the 1990s; Collaborations: Inoki, Uomini di Mare, PMC; Tracks cited: “Gli occhi della strada”, “A nocche dure”; Tribute song: “Dio lodato” (with features by Fibra and Lato); Died on April 4, 1999; Cause of death: overdose; Murals dedicated to him in Bologna; Reported lifespan in one review: 1974–1999.

Two passionate tributes honor Joe Cassano (Giovanni “Johnny Jab” Cassano), a distinctive voice of Italian hip-hop. The reviews frame Dio Lodato as a memorial release, recalling his unique flow, Italo‑American background, and 1990s collaborations with Inoki, Uomini di Mare, and PMC. They cite tracks like Gli occhi della strada and A nocche dure, and mention features by Fibra and Lato. Cassano died on April 4, 1999; writers in Bologna dedicated murals to him.