David Jude Jolicoeur, widely known as Trugoy the Dove and one of the founding members of American hip-hop trio De La Soul, has died.
Representative Tony Ferguson, 54, confirmed his death but gave no further details.
In recent years, Jolicoeur has said he is battling congestive heart failure.
De La Soul is part of hip-hop tribute last week’s grammysBut Trugoy didn’t take the stage with his bandmates.
Photo: Associated Press
Tributes to the rapper have flooded social media.
“Dave! So honored to share so much of the stage with you,” rapper Big Daddy Kane wrote on Instagram.
Rapper Erik Sermon posted on Instagram: “This hurts. One of the best hiphop rap groups from Long Island #Delasoul #plug2 Dave has passed away and you will be missed…Rest in peace Bar.”
Young Guru added: “Rest in peace my bro. You were loved. @plugwondelasoul I love you bro we’re here for you. Smile I love you bro. This is crazy”, wrote DJ Semtex , which is “heartbreaking news”.
“Huge loss”
Cheo Hodari Coker, executive producer of the TV series Luke Cage, tweeted: “You don’t understand what De La Soul means to me. Their very existence tells me that a black geek from Connecticut and yes hip hop too It’s yours, Trugoy is the balance, McCartney is Pos Lennon, Keith is his Mick. It’s a huge loss.”
Born in Brooklyn, Jolicoeur grew up on Long Island, where he met Vincent Mason (Pasemaster Mase) and Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos), and the three decided to form a rap group, each with a different name.
Trugoy regressed “yogurt,” says Jolicoeur. Recently he changed his name to Dave.
Photo: Associated Press
De La Soul is considered one of the most innovative groups in rap history.
Their debut studio album 3 Feet High And Rising, produced by Prince Paul, was released in 1989 and was celebrated as a standout compared to more impassioned rap sounds like NWA’s Straight Outta Compton and Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions. Lighthearted and positive was acclaimed for its release a year ago.
alternative hip hop
De La Soul sampled everyone from Johnny Cash and Steely Dan to Hall & Oates, marking the beginning of alternative hip-hop.
In Rolling Stone, critic Michael Azelard called it the first “psychedelic hip-hop record,” and some even called it a hippie band.
In 2010, the Library of Congress added 3 Feet High and Rising to the National Registry of Recordings in recognition of its historic significance.
They were followed by 1991’s De La Soul Is Dead, which was a bit darker and more divided among critics, and 1996’s Stakes Is High.