Trugoy the Dove, of rap trio De La Soul, dead at 54

One and two are now without their Three.
 By 
Chance Townsend
 on 
Dave of De La Soul performs during the 2017 Life is Beautiful Festival on September 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada
The influential hip-hop trio emerged from Long Island in the late 1980s. Credit: Tim Mosenfelder

It is with heavy hearts that fans of the hip-hop trio De La Soul learned today of the death of one of its members, Trugoy the Dove, at the age of 54. The cause of death is unknown and has not been publicly disclosed at this time.

Trugoy, who has recently been going by the name Dave, was born David Jude Jolicoeur in Long Island, New York. He formed De La Soul with fellow MCs Posdnuos and Maseo in 1987, and the group went on to release its landmark debut album 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989. The album was a critical and commercial success and is considered by many to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

Over the course of their career, De La Soul released a total of nine studio albums, and are known for their innovative and socially conscious lyrics, as well as their eclectic musical style mashed with jazz, funk, and soul influences. Trugoy was an integral part of the group's sound and style, and his deep, distinctive voice was a defining characteristic of De La Soul's music. De La Soul recently announced that their catalog will finally be available on streaming services as of March 3, following the resolution of decades-long negotiations regarding contracts and sample clearances.


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Trugoy's death is a loss not only to the hip-hop community but to music lovers around the world. He leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking and influential music that will continue to inspire and be celebrated for years to come. He will be greatly missed, but his impact on the world of music will endure.

Rest in peace, Trugoy the Dove.

Headshot of a Black man
Chance Townsend
Assistant Editor, General Assignments

Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones.

In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky @offbrandchance.bsky.social or by email at [email protected].

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