Definitive Jux Artist Camu Tao Dies From Lung Cancer
Posted on: May 27, 2008 07:26 PDT
Filed under: Rap, Underground
Definitive Jux artist Camu Tao died yesterday afternoon (May 25) as a result of lung cancer.
Labelmate and friend Aesop Rock announced the passing on his Myspace page.
Tero Smith aka Camu Tao was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 years ago and had been undergoing chemotherapy. Tao was pronounced dead at a Columbus, OH hospital.
Tao was a member of Columbus, Ohio's MHz crew with Copywrite, RJD2, Jakki Tha MotaMouth & Tage Proto, The Nighthawks with fellow Definitive Jux artist Cage, the Weathermen and the duo S.A. Smash.
El-P posted the following on his blog about the passing:
"Angel.
Today, at 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 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)"
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 www.Directors@Diehl-Whittaker.com.
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