Tero “Camu Tao” Smith
June 26, 1977 – May 25, 2008
Camu Tao was a Columbus, Ohio rapper and producer. Tao was also part of rap groups S.A. Smash and the Weathermen. He also worked alongside El-P in Central Service Production. Camu Tao died of lung cancer at the age of 30.
VL Mike (Born Michael Allen)
January 19, 1976 – April 20, 2008
VL Mike was an up-and-coming rap star from New Orleans. A so-called “gangsta” rapper, he was part of Chopper City Boyz whose debut was released in 2007. VL Mike soon left the group after apparently being at odds with the head of his label. He was set to release his solo debut in April of 2008 when he was shot and killed. His killer has yet to be caught.
Guru (Born Keith Elam)
July 17, 1966 – April 19, 2010
Guru was a popular rapper/MC who gained popularity during the early ’90s with Gang Starr. A duo formed with DJ Premier in 1987, Gang Starr signed with EMI Records who released their debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, in 1989. The group’s effective used of New York swing jazz and hip hop endeared them to fans and critics alike. In 1993, Guru released the brilliant Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 album where he introduced a live jazz band into the hip hop arena. Guests on the album included Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers. Guru had been actively recording and performing up until the time of his death. On February 28, 2010, he suffered a heart attack which resulted in a coma that he eventually awoke from. On April 19th however, he died of cancer at the age of 43.
Tony D (Born Anthony Depula)
DOB Unknown – April 4, 2009
Trenton, New Jersey’s Anthony Depula (aka Tony D) was a veteran hip hop producer who started his career as a DJ in the mid ’80s by accident. As a young fan of the music, he liked to help set up gear at parties and dances around town, so one night when the hired DJ failed to show up, he was told to get up there and do it. He never looked back. Tony D soon got into management, representing MC Serch of 3rd Base at one time. But his true calling was as a producer. Over the past two decades, he produced such as acts DJ Muggs, Young Zee, The Outsidaz, King Sun, and most famously, Poor Righteous Teachers, on their “Rock Dis Funky Joint,” a chart topping hip hop classic from 1990. Anthony Depula was killed in what initially appeared to have been a single car accident in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Freaky Tah (Born Raymond Rogers)
May 14, 1971 – March 28, 1999
Member of the 27 Club
Born Raymond Rogers, the rapper known as Freaky Tah was from Queens, New York. He worked primarily with the Lost Boyz, a chart topping and gold selling hip hop group during the mid to late ’90s. Tah was gunned down as he left a birthday party for fellow Lost Boy, Mr. Cheeks.
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