De La Soul’s Dave Jolicoeur, aka Trujoy the Dove, has died at the age of 54. The news of the Grammy Award-winning MC’s death was announced by a representative of the group. A cause of death has not yet been revealed but it came out that Dave suffered from multiple health issues for several years.
Dave Jolicoeur Cause Of Death…
De La Soul, a pioneering group behind one of the greatest hip-hop albums, “3 Feet High and Rising, is mourning the loss of its co-founder Dave Jolicouer, aka Trugoy the Dove. Dave passed away at the age of 54 and the news was confirmed by a representative of the group. It came out that the Brooklun-born rapper was suffering from multiple health issues for several years. It was reported in 2018 that he has been battling congestive heart failure.
Fans took to social media and paid tribute to the legendary artist behind the group that changed music with its sample-happy, psychedelia-infused sound. “Dave! It was an honour to share so many stages with you,” wrote rapper Big Daddy Kane on Instagram. Rapper Erik Sermon wrote, “This one hurts. From Long Island from one of the best rap groups in Hiphop # Delasoul #plug2 Dave has passed away you will be missed… RIP.”
Young Guru added, “Rest in peace my brother. You were loved. @plugwondelasoul I love you brother we are here for you. Smiles I love you bro. This is crazy” and DJ Semtex wrote that it was “heart-wrenching news.”
You don’t understand what De La Soul means to me. Their existence said to me, a black geek from Connecticut that yes, hip-hop belongs to you too, and Trugoy was the balance, McCartney to Pos Lennon, Keith to his Mick. This is a huge loss.
— Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) February 12, 2023
Luke Cage showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker wrote on Twitter that, “You don’t understand what De La Soul means to me. Their existence said to me, a black geek from Connecticut that yes, hip-hop belongs to you too, and Trugoy was the balance, McCartney to Pos Lennon, Keith to his Mick. This is a huge loss.”
The Rise Of De La Soul…
De La Soul, a hip-hop trio formed in 1988 in the Amityville area of Long Island, NY, was best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics and contribution to the evolution of jazz rap and alternative hip-hop subgenres. The group rose to prominence with their debut album, “3 Feet High and Rising”, which is still known as a hip-hop masterpiece.
Dave previously revealed his struggle with congestive heart failure in the music video for De La Soul’s 2017 single “Royalty Capes” from their most recent studio album And the Anonymous Nobody. He expressed that he had to wear a Life Vest, which “will shock me, and hopefully bring me back from the matrix,” adding: “I’m ready just to get back to the stage. I miss it. I love traveling; I love being around my guys. And I want that back.”
Dave Jolicoeur’s death comes just weeks before the group’s key catalog will be made available on streaming services. Their album, “3 Feet High and Rising”, universally recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time, was held back due to a longstanding legal battle over sampling clearances.
Last week, the hip-hop group’s influence was celebrated that the Grammy Awards, with a brief performance of “Buddy” from De La Soul’s hit album, “3 Feet High”. However, Posdnos (real name Kevin Mercer) was the only group member to perform at the ceremony. Our heart goes to his family in these troubled times.