News

Camu Tao Dies of Lung Cancer Complications

Camu Tao, a key member of El-P's Definitive Jux clique, died on Sunday after a year-and-a-half battle with lung cancer. Born Tero Smith, the Columbus-based MC was 30. Smith was always balancing a number of side projects, including MHz (with RJD2, Copywrite), Nighthawks (with Cage), and the two El-related groups Central Services and the Weathermen.

El-P wrote the following response to Smith's passing on Sunday via his Okay Player blog:

"Today, at around 2 p.m., our dear friend, family member, and musical collaborator Tero 'Camu Tao' Smith passed away in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Tero had been quietly fighting for his life for the last year and a half after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

To those who knew Tero, he was an almost uncategorizable force of nature. Wild, hilarious, proud, loving, tough, outspoken, spontaneous and brilliant. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and he dripped creativity, leaving inspiration and awe in the hearts and minds of anyone who was fortunate enough to see him work.

We, his friends and family, have truly had our collective hearts broken by his passing. Not only because of the loss of our friend, but because of the loss of his contribution to those who never knew what we knew about his talent and his potential. He was the secret that no one wanted to keep, and we always knew that one day his vision and his heart could change music forever the way he changed all of our lives.

His departure from us all one month away from his 31st birthday is nothing less than a tragedy ... nothing less than a crime. He was a gift to us all, and he is irreplaceable. Rest in peace, Mu. We will love you forever. May god bless you and your family."

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
05.28.08