Rapper Trugoy the Dove, of Iconic Hip-Hop Group De La Soul, Dies at 54

Sven Volkens, sven.volkens@wikipedia.de, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trugoy the Dove, one-third of the influential hip-hop group De La Soul, has died at the age of 54.

The news was confirmed by a representative of the group after first being reported by AllHipHop.

While no official cause of death has been announced. Trugoy, also known as Dave and Plug Two, was open about his struggles with congestive heart failure in recent years.

De La Soul fought to get the rights to their music back for so many years. Just when they do, Trugoy the Dove aka Dave passes. De La Soul was an innovative force of creativity that changed the perception of what “rap” could be. A true pioneer and legend 🙏 Thank you, Plug 2. pic.twitter.com/Wr3vtWKU1s

— Eric Schwartz (@ericschwartz) February 12, 2023

In the "Royalty Capes" video by De La Soul, Trugoy, whose passion for music and performing never waned despite his medical woes, spoke of his love for the stage, saying, "I miss that. I love traveling. I love being around my guys and I want that back."

Born David Jude Jolicoeur, Trugoy formed De La Soul in 1988 alongside his high school friends, rappers Posdnuos and Maseo in Long Island, New York.

The group's Prince Paul-produced debut album, "3 Feet High and Rising," was released in 1989 and solidified De La Soul as one of the genre's most influential groups.

Trugoy was notably absent from the recent Grammy's hip-hop tribute performance by the group.