De La Soul's Trugoy the Dove Dead at 54

The artist is also recognized for his work with Gorillaz and A Tribe Called Quest

Photo: Sven Volkens

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Feb 12, 2023

David "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur — the American artist best known as one third of influential hip-hop trio De La Soul, has died. Multiple outlets have confirmed Jolicoeur's passing, though a cause of death was not revealed. He was 54.

Jolicoeur had spoken about heart-related health issues in recent years. In a music video for "Royalty Capes," which appeared on De La Soul's 2016 album And the Anonymous Nobody..., the artist discusses his diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

"I'm ready just to get back to the stage," he said. "I miss that. I love travelling. I love being around my guys and I want that back." Jolicoeur was notably absent alongside De La Soul group mates Vincent "Maseo" Mason and Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer during the Grammy Awards' hip-hop tribute performance earlier this month.

As previously reported, De La Soul's first six albums — 1989's 3 Feet High and Rising, 1991's De La Soul Is Dead, 1993's Buhloone Mindstate, 1996's Stakes Is High, 2000's Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and 2001's AOI: Bionix — will arrive on streaming services.

Outside his work with De La Soul, Jolicoeur is remembered for his memorable hook on A Tribe Called Quest's "Award Tour," and the second verse of Gorillaz's 2005 smash hit "Feel Good Inc."

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