Trugoy The Dove Of De La Soul Fame Has Passed Away

David "Trugoy The Dove" Jolicoeur, one-third of the influential hip-hop group De La Soul, has passed away aged 54. AllHipHop initially reported the news. No cause of death has been revealed - this is a developing story. 

As Pitchfork noted, Trugoy had been open about his experience with congestive heart failure in recent years.

When the words 'hip hop' and 'classic' are mentioned, De La Soul are a name to follow shortly after. Known for their genius sampling, quirky rhymes and contribution to the hip-hop, jazz and rap game, De La Soul are considered worldwide as one of the most influential and reputable hip-hop groups. 

Since roughly 1988, the trio – Kelvin Mercer, David Jolicoeur (Plug Two), and Vincent Mason (Plug Three) have been at the forefront of their sound.

Commemorations for the group's 25th anniversary began in 2013, when they released the fresh single, Get Away ft The Spirit Of The Wu, which samples the intro from the Wu-Tang Clan's second record Wu-Tang Forever. “Sometimes we look at ourselves, and we go like 'Wow, we have been around this long!' and we have albums that are considered classic hip hop staples,” Mercer said in an interview with The Music. 

“We definitely sat down and thought about the anniversary for 3 Feet High And Rising because it's coming up next year [in 2014]. We're looking at a great, great time next year with what we're trying to do.”

De La Soul released their debut album, 3 Feet High And Rising, in 1989. As the band's most commercially successful record to date, the album made waves within pop, hip-hop and R&B communities. The album was so significant that in 2005, Damon Albarn - who was hugely influenced by the trio - enlisted Trugoy for writing and De La Soul for featured vocals on the early Gorillaz smash-hit, Feel Good Inc. In 2006, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration.

De La Soul released their ninth and most recent album, And The Anonymous Nobody..., via a Kickstarter campaign in 2016. It's an incredibly busy and full 68 minutes, yet the quality control remains high. When hip hop celebrates the art of collaboration this successfully, no booty can stay still. 

Trugoy The Dove is remembered for his energetic verses and impact on the rap world. On 3 March, De La Soul's discography will finally be available on streaming services.

Wow just seeing the news about Trugoy. Damn RIP. This is one of the GREATEST verses ever rapped. Rest in peace Dove. pic.twitter.com/cbA6mYellz

— Greg (@TheQuestions15) February 12, 2023

rest in peace Trugoy the Dove 🕊️

— jenny lewis (@jennylewis) February 12, 2023

"So when I'm gone, make sure the head stone reads, 'He did it for us'."

-- David Jude Jolicoeur / Trugoy the Dove, "Trying People" (2001)

— No Comps (@NewBlackMan) February 12, 2023

The saddest news.
Rapper, producer and one third of the legendary Hip Hop trio @WeAreDeLaSoul Dave/ Trugoy the Dove has died.
What a sweet character.
A staple part of me falling in love with the culture.
Thanks for the music, legend ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/aVl5ehmmun

— Jasmine Dotiwala (@jasminedotiwala) February 12, 2023

De La Soul's Trugoy the Dove dead at 54. Another Black man who never made it out of his 50s like Gregory Hines, Luther Vandross, Barry White, Prince, Michael Jackson, Adolph Caesar, DMX, Michael K. Williams, Biz Markie, Coolio, Bushwick Bill and too many others.

— Renée Graham 🏳️‍🌈 (@reneeygraham) February 12, 2023

De La Soul were one of the first rap groups I ever fell in love with, and Trugoy's playful, sharp sense of humor was a huge reason why. A terrible loss. RIP to the Dove. https://t.co/ATvj3NYHDE

— Michael Tedder (@mtedder) February 12, 2023