In 2005  Andre Stringer and I directed a short film for the “Energy” issue of Smile Faucet. During the writing process I heard from Camu Tao. We had originally met a few years earlier when we were in Ohio filming Camu’s group Mhz for a independent hip hop documentary we were working on. After bumping into him at a few shows, and building a bit more, we ended up designing the artwork for his “Hold the Floor” 12″ single on Definitive Jux. We fell out of touch for a few years and then he hit me up out of the blue to catch up, just as we were writing the treatment for this short.

Camu was hilarious, always telling stories in a very animated way, without the slightest hint of self-consciousnes. So when we were thinking of who to play our lead for this film, we immediately thought of him. So we asked, he agreed, and as expected he was great…

Tero “Camu Tao” Smith tragically passed away in 2008. His debut solo lp “King of Hearts” is released today. This record is an amazing blend of post-punk, hip hop, electronic, soul, and pop – Honestly, it really is hard to try and box it into a simple-genre, it’s that unique. Personally, I have  the songs “When You’re Going Down” and “King of Hearts” on repeat right now. You can stream the full album here, and then purchase it at Definitive Jux or on Itunes.

Def Jux is also giving away the Central Services (Camu Tao and EL P) ep “Forever Frozen In Television Time” for free in conjunction with this release. All of the album profit made by Def Jux on “King of Hearts” are going directly to Camu’s Family and Fiance, who are directly involved with the charities associated with Camu’s treatment and illness. So if you like what you hear, please support this record and spread the word!