No cause of death has been given according to reports in the US.
Jolicoeur went by the stage name Trugoy the Dove, forming De La Soul alongside Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer) and Maseo (Vincent Lamont Mason Jr) in 1980.
Together, the pioneering trio became some of rap’s most influential artists. De La Soul were honoured during last week’s Grammy Awards for their contribution to hip hop music.
😪 Dave Jolicoeur, a.k.a. Trugoy The Dove, from legendary trio De La Soul has died… He was 54. #RIPTrugoyTheDove #RIPDave pic.twitter.com/Zkl66OhCXg
— Hip Hop Golden Age (@HipHopGoldenAge) February 12, 2023
Just last month, the group’s old albums were made available, before their first six records formally come to streaming services on 3 March. The move follows a lengthy effort to clear the hundreds of samples that De La Soul used on their early records.
Jolicoeur had previously spoken publicly about suffering from congestive heart failure.
