May 25, 2008
R.I.P. Camu Tao
- by 319
Camu Tao (b. Tero Smith, June 6, 1977) passed away today after a year and a half long battle with lung cancer.
http://www.myspace.com/camuturbo
Message from El-P:
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 1 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.
R.I.P.
Tero “CAMU TAO” Smith
born 6/26/77, passed 5/25/08
wm/cc
sincerely,
jaime “el-p” meline (on behalf of many, many wonderful and broken hearted friends)
Message from RJD2:
Camu Tao, r.i.p.
So maybe a decent handful of the folks out there who are aware of myself are also aware of a group called the MHz. This was my first rap group; we did a few singles on Bobbito’s Fondle ’em records, a few compilation songs, etc. from 1997-ish to 2001-ish. This group was the entry point into the world of “professional” music for Camu Tao, Copywrite, and myself, and also provided the introduction of a few others. Anyway, Camu passed away yesterday. While this didnt come out of the blue for anyone who knew him, it still comes with the same amount of shock. He was one of the most truly creative people i’ve ever known, hilariously funny, and a complete enigma-almost anyone who ever met him remembered him, even if just in passing. He gave a lot of people in Columbus(and beyond) some amazing memories they will certainly have for the rest of their lives. If any of us make it past 50, Camu will be a large part of all those old man reminiscings. And while im still stunned, Im glad he isn’t in pain anymore.
Godspeed, Tero.
Message from Copywrite:
TERO SMITH, REST IN PEACE
THIS IS FUCKED UP. Another friend lost. Tero Smith, aka Camu Tao was fighting lung cancer for about 3 years. I met Tero in my 1st freshman year(there where 3 of them) at walnut ridge high school. we both were rumored to be the illest drawers in the school. this was b4 i started lettin cats know i rapped and b4 he had even started. we both had the same art class, so bam we battled it out and us and the crowd realized we both were ill as fuck,but had our own styles. we ended up bondin thru that and started hangin out regularly. one day we were skippin school and i decided we shld walk 2 my dude jakki’s house. jakki’s crazy ass throws a rocks at camu b4 knowin him…ijust laughed cus thats how jakki is and always has been (crazy. ask about him) anyways, we all ended up doin our thing in this game and being the first group out of cols with a hiphop record(its documented, peep vibe’s history of hiphop book). we came in this game 2gether and paved the way for underground music being hed globally from Ohio. Me and Camu had our differences but once u call someone elses mom, your own mom, and are like brothers, any arguements or fights u get in with that person feel like sibling rivalry. Tero was good dude. had a great heart and anyone who met him will tell you the same. we all have our flaws and not one of us is perfect. I spoke with Camu on many occasions after our situation and it was all love. last time i saw him was about 3 weeks ago at the groove shack reunion at the hi 5. im thankful for that moment in time. my deep condolences go out to mr. and mrs.Smith, as well as his sisters cathy and sam, girfriend, supporters of his music and anyone who has ever met the man. we will all miss him and noone will ever replace his memories. Rest in Eternal Peace, my brother for life…..MUUUU TAO PKA TERO SMITH AKA ONE IN A MILLION. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. PEACE TO THE WEATHERMEN. AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IS GOING THRU IT LIKE I AM. P.S. TAKE TIME 2 enjoy this short gift while its here.
30 Responses
r.i.p.
wtf
omg
r.i.p.
I just saw this! RIP, I guess a statement is coming out tomorrow?
wow, like many i imagine i had no clue he was sick. that is horrible.
rip.
r.i.p.
wm
too bad. he was very talented.
shitty shit r.i.p.
aw man that really sucks, he was one of my favorite artsits and I think had the ability to put out some incredible music. This is truly a shame.
deeamn, r.i.p.
wow, so young!
he was a talented artist, he produced the song “standing room only” by cage and high and mighty which is one of my favorite beats ever,he’ll always be remembered as a skilled musician
lung cancer at 30, wow.
this is really shit.
R.I.P.
Hip Hop has lost such an important figure, and it wont even know it! This shit is fucked up, One Love Mu Rest in Peace.
Cancer dont care who you are.
Its a savage beast.
RIP Camu
ONE
R.I.P
such a dope slept on all around talent. i hope they do him proud and put some of his best work together (or if he already has something ill completed) and push it/promo it hard. it’s a shame it has to happen after his death but dude never got a good push. RIP
whoa, that’s terrible. he had some great work. his album “Blair Cosby: Cape Cod (Going For De Gold)” is one of my favorites from the past few years. r.i.p.
Poor fucking guy.
It was way too easy to underrate him, since he came to the public’s attention sort of under the spectre of b-team Jukies… but anyone who paid attention eventually realized he had a lot to offer. Shit like this makes me feel bad I never paid more attention even after I did realize he was better than I initially thought.
But really… it’d be sad even if he WASN’T dope.
fucking cancer in such a young talent, its terrible
This is some kind of scary shit, especially approaching the age he found out he had it. Only time I met him, him and Cage tried to buy bud off of me in St Pete at a show. That’s really my only experience of him. Unfortunately I slept on his music. Who would’ve guessed he would only be alive another 6 years. RIP
rip. damn
and jesus that was hard to read copywrite’s paragraph.. not because it was sad but because the dude is a bonafied dumbass who writes like a goddamn 3rd grader.
i saw him way early in his career and always thought he was the man…
he used to play acoustic guitar and freestyle over it and just wreck shop at the “red light” in columbus…he used to let cats get on stage and do there thing and always gave em props…
thanks to “ascend” and “self” for putting me on to him.
RIP
camu
SA SMASH
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://[email protected] or phone number (614)258-9549. (Address above)
God bless you all,
Love Tero Smith’s Representative
RIP
Rest in Power to Camu he was always a good time charlie, fun loving dude my Smashy trashy Nig! A true hip hop talent as well damn…
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 you 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://[email protected].
God bless you all,
Love Tero Smith’s Representative
terrible. he was sick with beats.
This some terrible news! My thoghts are with his family and friends!
the archivist says another on in hiphop passses,
real shame mhz is ill, camu tao is fresh, sad to hear the news
may he rest in peace hopefully sumone will put out a nother cd of his best kuts, or a tribute.
one luv to def jux and a fellow mc