King of Hearts (Camu Tao album) explained

King of Hearts
Type:studio album
Artist:Camu Tao
Cover:File:Kingofheartscamu.jpeg
Genre:Hip hop, electronic
Label:Fat Possum Records, Definitive Jux
Producer:Camu Tao
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King of Hearts is the only studio album by American rapper and producer Camu Tao, who died of lung cancer in 2008. It was released posthumously via Fat Possum Records and Definitive Jux on August 17, 2010.[1] [2]

Critical reception

At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, King of Hearts received an average score of 71% based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Josh Langhoff of PopMatters gave the album 6 stars out of 10, describing it as "the sound of Camu [Tao] reaching out, trying to connect with people while grappling with the most personal elements of his life."

Camu Tao’s friend and fellow rapper Cage, began a close working relationship in 2010 with another Ohio native Kid Cudi. During that time he showed Cudi the demos for the posthumous Tao album, with Cage telling El-P (a mutual friend of Cage and Tao) that Cudi was “super into the record and really into Camu and felt really connected to the music.”[3] El-P and Cage asked Cudi if he would give them a quote for the record:

"These songs are so before their time it’s ridiculous. The melodies and harmonies are very clever, the lyrics are quick witted and his vocal arrangements are genius. People need to hear this shit and know this man’s story. Camu was a great future Ohio talent who I’m sure would have made a huge mark in this mediocre industry."[4] – Kid Cudi

Track listing

All tracks written and produced by Camu Tao.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Camu Tao's debut LP gets posthumous release. Consequence of Sound. Alex. Young. May 29, 2010. April 11, 2016. April 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160427161841/http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/05/camu-taos-debut-lp-gets-posthumous-release/. live.
  2. Web site: New Release: Camu Tao: King of Hearts. Pitchfork. Tom. Breihan. June 10, 2010. April 11, 2016. April 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160420134241/http://pitchfork.com/news/38988-new-release-camu-tao-king-of-hearts/. live.
  3. Web site: El-P on Camu Tao's legacy . 18 August 2010 .
  4. Web site: [Download] Camu Tao - "Perfect Plan".
  5. Camu Tao - Chart history - Dance/Electronic Albums. Billboard. April 11, 2016. June 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603203604/http://www.billboard.com/artist/298602/camu-tao/chart?f=322. live.