Camu Tao @ CMW 2006

Hometown: New York, NY

Background/Composition: Amusing, engaging MC who likes to walk a little on the twisted side.

Grade: 80

Comment:If Camu Tao set out to prove himself one of the most unhinged members of the Def Jux crew, he succeeded. If alternating nice rhymes with guttural screams, inviting yourself to the houses of random girls in the audience and introducing the "Camu Tao Sings Bad R&B With The DJ" hour doesn't endear you to a roomful of people, I don't know what does.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G
Pronounciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: Tao, along with his equally dapper mate Cage, lit up the place with his red V-neck sweater and red-and-black striped tie wound too tightly around his neck. As he lunged repeatedly into the all-too-welcoming crowd, I couldn't help but worry he might be asphyxiated by a well-meaning but beer-plied homeboy. The man certainly does love his audience, if his cries of "I wanna fuck this crowd!" are any indication.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: E
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: For the first part of his set with Cage, Tao melded his rough bass to the churning beats of DJ Big Wiz. For the second half, Tao proceeded to sing/scream along with some indistinguishable R&B (or maybe it was his own music, sped up? I couldn't tell.) The crowd, largely alienated, slunk away in bits and pieces, while others were glued to the scene in a swoon of rapturous nausea. Was Camu Tao testing his fans? Was he for real? Whatever the case, it ended all too soon.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: S
Haircut: S
Indie Rock Footwear: N
Nods To Disposible Fashion: E
Cool Equipment: S
Level Of Inebriation: E
Actual Ability: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: Problem Solving: E Even as Camu Tao suffered visible seizures of excitement over being in Toronto, he also managed to pull off a surprisingly good set full of amusing crowd interaction, rubbery facial expressions and fun, bouncy rap tunes. A headliner he ain't, but I was personally happy that he came along for the ride.