When Definitive Jux folded it promised to make Camu Tao's King Of Hearts its final record. El-p was good on his promise as Definitive Jux in collaboration with Fat Possum will release the posthumous album in August.
Camu Tao could be the closest thing hip hop will ever get to Ol' Dirty Bastard in terms of there being “no father to his style.” On May 25 2008, Camu's battle with lung cancer ended in a peaceful departure, leaving a gap in the lives of those around him and the hip hop community. To gain some perspective, read El-p's hearfelt words on his friend. The unexpected diagnosis also left his solo debut King Of Hearts incomplete. His friends picked up the pieces of demos and home recordings to finish the record that would have ultimately made Camu a major figure in hip hop.
Camu was also one half of Central Services, a side project with El-p. If you've never heard “Oxycontin,” check our player for a hauntingly beautiful piece of music. Central Services' long-postponed debut EP (recorded in 2004, crimes!) Forever Frozen In Television will be released in conjunction with King Of Hearts as a free download.
King Of Hearts is out August 17 on Definitive Jux/Fat Possum.
