RIP Camu Tao

The shadowing/light on Camu’s face is from an angel above him.

From Cage’s Blog:

Tero Smith aka Camu Tao 6/26/77-5/25/08 R.I.P.

I am writing this only to kill all the speculation and nonsense.I believe something official will be announced soon.Tero had been fighting lung cancer for the past 2 years of his life on chemo. He didn’t want to go public until recently. His time was cut way too fuckin short. Music was his life. His pain and suffering is over. His music will live forever.
WM

Statement From El-P’s Blog:

CAMU TAO R.I.P.

TODAY, around 2pm, our dear friend, family member and musical collaborator Tero “CAMU TAO” Smith passed away in his home town 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 1 day 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)

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYKoVN1Ja4I]
Camu Tao – Samurai Champloo

RIP Mu.

S.

Permalink Posted in: cardboard city, music, nyc, video May 25, 2008