R.I.P: UNDERGROUND RAPPER CAMU TAO LOSES CANCER BATTLE.....DEAD at 30!

Rapper CAMU TAO has lost his battle with lung cancer a week before his 31st birthday.The S.A. Smash star - real name Tero Smith - was diagnosed with the disease two years ago (06) and had been undergoing chemotherapy. According to labelmate and friend Aesop Rock, who announced the sad news on his MySpace.com page on Monday (26May08), Camu Tao died at a Columbus, Ohio hospital on Sunday (25May08).

As well as being part of S.A. Smash, the Ohio rapper also found underground fame with the Weathermen and the MHz crew. In a touching post on his blog, collaborator El-P states, "To those who knew Tero, he was an almost uncategorisable 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."