Rap group De La Soul thought 2023 was going to be their year. A huge milestone happened this year. After years of negotiations, the group’s first six albums will finally be available on streaming services on March 3rd. This includes the albums 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and AOI: Bionix. Unfortunately, one third of the trio won’t be able to see this long awaited day.
Trugoy The Dove, who is also known as Dave or Dave Jolicoeur, has died. His team confirmed the news to AllHipHop. He was only 54 years old. A cause of death was not disclosed; however, he had been open about health struggles in recent years.
In 2017, in the “Royalty Capes” video, Trugoy talked about not being able to perform because of his health. He explained, “I’m ready just to get back to the stage.” He added, “I miss that. I love traveling. I love being around my guys and I want that back.
In 2018, on Instagram, Trugoy opened up about his battle with congestive heart failure. Then, in 2020, he mentioned that he had been hospitalized.
De La Soul was made up of Trugoy, Posdnuos, and Maseo. They met in high school and rapped in separate groups before they eventually started rapping together.
In 2009, Trugoy told “Rolling Stone,” “Originally, it was us trying to make sure we’re saying we’re not hippies. We were just being ourselves. People are now taking the song to be, ‘OK, it’s cool to be me and I don’t have to be hard’ — it wasn’t really about saying that, even though the video came off like that.”
Since news of Trugoy’s death, tributes have been pouring in for the late rapper.
Aww man, rest well, Trugoy the Dove. De La forever. ♥️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/sdGbN7ncc2
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) February 13, 2023
De La Soul‘s Trugoy the Dove has died at age 54, just weeks before their music was set to arrive on streaming and digital platforms on March 3.One of the great rap groups of all time, and one thing is for sure: The world will fall in love with them all over again next month. pic.twitter.com/i3Bq9ywtG9
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) February 12, 2023
Rest in peace.