R.I.P. Camu Tao
Monday, May 26th, 2008 @ 12:30 pm, By: admin
Tags: Camu Tao
On stage in Minneapolis, Minnesota Sunday evening, Aesop Rock announced that emcee Camu Tao had died after nearly a two-year bout with lung cancer. The Columbus, Ohio native born Tero Smith, was just less than two weeks away from his 31st birthday. He reportedly passed in his hometown.
Camu Tao rose to fame with the MHz crew, which also consisted of producer RJD2, emcees Copywrite and Jakki Tha Mottomouth, plus DJ Przm, who passed away just under a year ago as well. As the crew ascended to the ranks of the underground Hip Hop community through releases on Fondle ‘Em and ABB Records, Camu would end up at High & Mighty’s Eastern Conference imprint as a solo artist. There, he would record his most significant album, Nighthawks with Cage, after a reported three-day recording session. The album was inspired by the Sylvester Stallone film of the same name.
Camu was also active with Def Jux Records. There, he would be a part of The Weathermen crew with Aesop Rock, Cage, El-P, Breeze Brewin and others, as well as one-half of S.A. Smash. With Metro, the latter group would release 2003’s Smashy Trashy. Additionally, Camu did release two editions of the limited Blair Cosby solo albums, as well as 2004’s Going For De Gold. None of the three efforts were distributed nationally.
Throughout the last three years, Camu’s career had been feature appearances and production on peer albums while he readied his Def Jux solo. Highlights include producing and appearing on Cage’s critically-acclaimed Hell’s Winter (”The Death of Chris Palko”) comeback album, appearing on Aesop Rock’s Danger, Fire & Knives album (”Rockety Rackety”), as well as Slow Suicide Stimulus album (”Cutty Sharks” / “Regardless”).
May 27th, 2008 at 3:35 am
[...] looking around the internet for responses to the tragic death of Camu Tao. I came across this on the War 42 [...]
May 27th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Defjux Family, Friends, and Fans,
Please forward on this information out about Camu’s Home Going Service. The services will be at Diehl-whittaker funeral Home. 720 E Long St, Columbus, Oh 43203.
June 2, 2008 @ 2:00pm eastern standard time.
http://www.diehl-whittaker.com
From the Smith family:
The family would like to thank everyone for all their prayers, support and thoughts during this moment of Bereavement. We appreciate the loving words many of you have expressed toward Tero (Camu Tao) Smith and it doesn’t go without being noticed.
We pray that through this life changing moment everyone will see how urgent it is to get early preventative check-ups. We know that only if this rare lung cancer disease which Tero (Camu tao) Smith was hit with might have been detected just a little early he might be alive today.
The Smith family would like to say that this lung cancer was rare and not caused by lifestyle. We ask that you honor His life by not taken for granted that tomorrow is promised, yesterday is behind us and all we have is the present-day.
We can never thank you enough for the Generosity that many fans, friends and loved ones will show to Tero (Camu Tao) Smith that died so young but, fought a good fight until the finish line.
DONATIONS: Send to the attention Tero A. Smith or Camu. National City Bank- phone number 1-800-925-9259. Money orders or cashier’s check are preferred. If there is not a local branch near you the donation can be sent to any Nation City Bank location.
Floral Arrangements: please submit all questions to http://www.Directors@Diehl-Whittaker.com or phone number (614)258-9549. (Address above)
God bless you all,
Love Tero Smith’s Representative
May 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Urgent!!!!
To whom it may concern,
The service for Tero (Camu Tao) Smith is restricted to only family and close friends. We appreciate the out pour of kind words, thoughts and concerns you have submitted.
Unfortunately, it has been requested that only those who have been invited or known by the family as friends come. We know that Tero has touched the lives of many individuals and we are grateful for that.
We just want to thank for honoring our wishes. Again, if anyone wants to contribute to the fund the family set up in his name please send donations (information listed below) Thanks.
From the Smith family:
The family would like to thank everyone for all their prayers, support and thoughts during this moment of Bereavement. We appreciate the loving words many of you have expressed toward Tero (Camu Tao) Smith and it doesn’t go without being noticed.
We pray that through this life changing moment everyone will see how urgent it is to get early preventative check-ups. We know that only if this rare lung cancer disease which Tero (Camu tao) Smith was hit with might have been detected just a little early he might be alive today.
The Smith family would like to say that this lung cancer was rare and not caused by lifestyle. We ask that you honor His life by not taken for granted that tomorrow is promised, yesterday is behind us and all we have is the present-day.
We can never thank you enough for the Generosity that many fans, friends and loved ones will show to Tero (Camu Tao) Smith that died so young but, fought a good fight until the finish line.
DONATIONS: Send to the attention Tero A. Smith or Camu. National City Bank- phone number 1-800-925-9259. Money orders or cashier’s check are preferred. If there is not a local branch near you the donation can be sent to any Nation City Bank location.
Floral Arrangements: please submit all questions to http://www.Directors@Diehl-Whittaker.com.
God bless you all,
Love Tero Smith’s Representative
September 8th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
RIP almighty wordsmith!