(inset photo: [L-R] De La Soul members, Posdnuos, Maseo, and Dave “Trugoy The Dove” Jollicoeur; (R) Dave
I Love Old School Music family, we have very sad news to report today…Trugoy the Dove – one of the founding members of the legendary rap group, De La Soul – has passed away. He was only 54 years young. The details surrounding the death of Trugoy, who was also known as Dave or Dave Jolicoeur, are scarce at the moment, but his team has just confirmed his passing.
What we do know is that Trugoy has struggled with his health in recent years, which he publicly revealed in 2018. At that time, Trugoy said he’d been battling the effects of congestive heart failure, during one of his Instagram videos, and he’d also confessed that his recovery journey had been difficult:
“I’m ready just to get back to the stage,” Trugoy admitted in 2018. “I miss that. I love traveling. I love being around my guys and I want that back.”
Two years after Dave’s initial health scare, fans grew concerned again when he joined his fellow De La Soul crew, Posdnuos and Maseo, on Instagram Live in 2020, from a hospital bed. Although he seemed to be in good spirits, his health condition raised alarm for many. You can check that video out below…
The year 2023 was expected to be a groundbreaking year for the three De La Soul legends. For years, they’d been speaking out against the way Tommy Boy Records was handling their music catalog. According to the group, the label had been blocking their six albums from being available on digital streaming services — in other words, blocking De La Soul’s money-earning potential in that regard.
The bright side of things came recently, once Reservoir Media stepped in and acquired Tommy Boy Records, also coming to an agreement with De La Soul and their music catalog’s streaming availability. The group soon learned that beginning in March 3, 2023, all six of their albums — 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High and Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and AOI: Bionix — will now be available on all streaming platforms. That was – and still is – a beautiful thing for them, and it will further allow De La Soul to provide for their families via the body of work they’ve worked so hard for. Dave “Trugoy The Dove” Jolliceur
What has now happened to Trugoy the Dove is beyond heartbreaking. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, his De La Soul brothas, and the rest of his loved ones. Trugoy lived a life following his passion, and he did what he loved — performed and created music — until his final days. He will forever be remembered for bringing fire rap songs to the ’90s culture that helped shape the soundtracks of millions of their fans’ lives.
Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, rest in peace and power, king.
