Founding member of rap group De La Soul, David Jolicoeur, died Sunday at a hospital in Maryland after battling an undisclosed illness, according to multiple reports.
Also known by fans as Dave and Trugoy the Dove, Jolicoeur had been part of De La Soul since the group’s inception in 1987, going on to record some of the biggest rap hits of all time. Jolicoeur’s death has not been confirmed by his bandmates Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos) or Vincent Mason (Maseo). Those close to the situation say Jolicoeur was struggling with an undisclosed illness but he may have died of natural causes, according to TMZ.
David Jolicoeur of De La Soul, the rap trio that expanded the stylistic vocabulary of hip-hop in the 1980s and ’90s with eclectic samples and offbeat humor, becoming MTV staples and cult heroes of the genre, has died. He was 54. https://t.co/wtJ1QfZuVw
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 12, 2023
Jolicoeur’s contributions to De La Soul led the band to a three-album succession of accolades. Two of their albums in the 90s were certified platinum and one was certified gold, which launched the group into superstardom and earned them a rightful place in music history, according to TMZ.
De La Soul proved to be an adaptable group that managed to perfectly transition from one decade of music into another. They continued to evolve and kept up with the ever-changing demands from their fans, while smashing out hits such as “Me, Myself and I,” “Eye Know” and “The Magic Number.”
Other epic hits by the band include “Stakes Is High,” “Ring, Ring Ring,” “Say No Go” and Breakadawn,” according to TMZ. (RELATED: Annie Wersching Dead At Age 45)
We’re very sad to hear that news that David Jolicoeur, a founding member of hip hop trio De La Soul, has died aged 54.https://t.co/eYHiLmw9DR
— BBC Radio 6 Music (@BBC6Music) February 13, 2023
Jolicoeur contributed to a massive catalog of hits that fans of all ages know and recognize, including “Ghetto Thang,” “I Am I Be,” “All Good” and “Buddy.”
The group’s entire archive of music is due to begin streaming on major platforms for the first time in March, according to a Jan. 3 Instagram post from Mercer.