David Jolicoeur dies: Rapper and De La Soul founding member, 54

David Jude Jolicoeur, the rapper known by his stage name Trugoy the Dove, has died. He was 54.

Jolicoeur, who is one of the founding members of the rap trio De La Soul, was “struggling with his health,” according to All Hip Hop, the outlet that first broke the news.

It was back in 2018 when the artist said about his congestive heart failure, “I’m ready to get back on stage. I miss that. I love to travel. I love being around my boys and I want that back.”

Jolicoeur is widely recognized for his collaboration on the popular Gorillaz song “Feel Good Inc”. Being credited as an author.

The rapper debuted in 1989 with De La Soul 3 feet high and rising. Jolliqueur recently spoke about what the album would look like today.

“I think liberation 3 feet high and rising At this point, even to the age group that was listening back then, I think hip-hop as a whole just doesn’t get it. I think hip-hop would probably see it as boring, soft, that kind of thing,” he told Billboard.

He continued, “But I think it’s also because where we are now in hip-hop, hip-hop is about what you got, who you impress, what you can do, how much you got, how much you spend, and what you surround yourself with. How much is that bag? I don’t remember what effect 3 feet high and rising And what it meant then means whatever it means now.”