Cut Short: Remembering Camu Tao with El-P

Published by Tyler Hakes on August 13, 2010 at 6:50 pm

When a life is cut short, it’s always a tragic event. There are so many questions as to what could have been. Where would that person have ended up? What would they have accomplished? How would their friends and relatives be different were they still alive? Not to mention the fate of their lasting legacy, the lives of their children, and their children’s children – it’s a lot to consider.

But even then, others leave more lasting questions. Artists, musicians and poets who pass on prematurely always beg the question: What would they had created if they hadn’t passed? And, how would that have inspired other artists and individuals?

When Camu Tao passed away in 2008 it was devastating. Camu, born Tero Smith, left a gaping hole in the hearts of his fans and turned the lives of his friends, family and Definitive Jux label-mates upside down. Not only was the death saddening for those with a personal connection to him, it came at a time when Camu was preparing some of his most-anticipated work musically.

“Camu’s passing is a constant reminder to me to follow the path I need to in my life”

“Camu was, in one way or another, one of the most important creative forces and inspirations to almost everyone associated with him,” El-P told aboveGround about his fallen friend. “He was a wild soul. He was a genius who never got the chance to see his dreams come to fruition.”

The MC and producer was working on various projects at the time of his death, including production for Cage’s upcoming release (I Never Knew You EP, released for free in 2009). But, even more importantly, Camu was preparing his first solo album on the Def Jux imprint.

The former-Weatherman and Nighthawk member was devoting nearly all of his time plugging away at what would be a defining moment in his bright career. Almost one year after his passing, El-P, the founder of Definitive Jux and close friend of Camu’s, announced that the album, named King of Hearts, had been completed posthumously and would be released in October of the same year. That deadline came and passed, and the two-year anniversary of Camu’s death rolled around on May 25 of 2010 – still no word about the album.

“My bigger fear was Camu never being heard.”

But, the delay was not in vein.

“I was waiting until I could find the right situation for the record,” explained El-P, “I didn’t want to throw it out there until that was in place.” And the right situation, it seems, has finally come.

Next week, on August 17, Camu Tao’s final record, King of Hearts, will finally see the light of day via Def Jux and Fat Possum Records. With it, a wave of relief for fans and a triumph for those who surrounded Camu in life – a proper send off for a friend.

“What can I say? [Camu's passing] changed me more than anything that has happened in my life,” El-P said, “Everyone knows time is short here but I think it takes this kind of loss to really feel that for what it means.”

“Needless to say Camu’s passing is a constant reminder to me to follow the path I need to in my life and to try my best to let go of some of the petty stresses and conflicts that at one time seemed relevant but now feel like child’s play.”

Putting together the remnants of his lost friend’s life work wasn’t easy either. It was a taxing trial for El-P to piece together the album from the rough music that was left incomplete.

“It was hard for me, but amazing at the same time,” he said, describing the process, “it felt simultaneously sad, thrilling, important and maudlin.”

In much the same fashion as the Jay Stay Paid album, completed by the late J Dilla’s friend Pete Rock, Camu’s final album seems a fitting tribute to someone who dedicated their life to the pursuit of making memorable music. Forever to be remembered by the one last effort, it also seems to be a lot of pressure on El-P to complete the vision and stay true to Camu’s message.

When asked if he was afraid of releasing an “unfinished masterpiece”, El-P simply replied, “No.” He continued by explaining, “My bigger fear was Camu never being heard.”

It seems so in line with the final wishes of anyone who picks up a mic – being heard is the most basic goal of any MC. And with that, it leaves little doubt that El-P will serve Camu’s legacy accordingly and release an inspirational last memento from Camu’s final efforts.

“I think people will appreciate the raw creativity of the record,” he said in closing, “his music is powerful even in its raw form and needs to be out there for not only his sake, but for music’s sake.”

El-P has done his part to preserve Camu’s memory, now it’s up to the fans to spread it far and wide.

Camu Tao’s King of Hearts can be pre-ordered from from Def Jux website. It hits stores on Tuesday, August 17.

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