How did Trugoy the Dove die? De La Soul member, 54, missed group's hip-hop tribute at Grammys 2023

Dave was visibly absent at last week’s Grammys 2023, where his music group previously won an award in 2005

PUBLISHED FEB 13, 2023

David Jolicoeur died at a hospital in Maryland on Sunday (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: Trugoy the Dove aka David Jolicoeur, one of the founding members of De La Soul, has tragically died at the age of 54. On Sunday, February 12, his death was confirmed by his representatives.

The musician had been vocal about his health issues. He was visibly absent at last week’s Grammys, His music group previously won a Grammy award in 2005 for their Gorillaz collaboration Feel Good Inc. De La Soul was honored during an all-star hip-hop tribute at this year's ceremony but Kelvin Mercer aka Posdnos was the only member of the group to perform.

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Some of the unique tracks performed by the music group of three include, 'Me, Myself and I', 'Eye Know', 'The Magic Number', 'Stakes Is High', 'Ring Ring Ring', 'Say No Go', 'Breakadawn', 'Oooh', 'Buddy', 'All Good', 'Ghetto Thang', 'I Am I Be' and 'Ego Trippin (Part 2)'.

(FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) David Jude Jolicoeur of De La Soul performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — David Jude Jolicoeur of De La Soul performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2023, in Los Angeles, California (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

How did Trugoy the Dove die?

According to multiple outlets, sources close to Dave's family say that the musician died on Sunday at a hospital in Maryland. No other details, including the cause of his demise have been revealed. However, TMZ reports that he died from natural causes and was long suffering from an undisclosed illness. Although nothing has been said by De La Soul's official Instagram account and the other two members of the group, Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos) and Vincent Mason (Maseo) are also yet to speak publicly about their loss.

(FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kelvin Mercer of De La Soul performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Kelvin Mercer of De La Soul performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Trugot the Dove and De La Soul

David Jolicoeur was born to Haitian-American parents in 1968 and was raised in East Massapequa, a small community on Long Island. While he was in high school, he met the two other members of the group and De La Soul was officially formed in 1988.

Kelvin Mercer and David Jude Jolicoeur of De La Soul perform at Advertising Week New York 2016 Spotify Opening Gig on September 26, 2016 in New York City. — Kelvin Mercer and David Jude Jolicoeur of De La Soul perform at Advertising Week New York 2016 Spotify Opening Gig on September 26, 2016, in New York City. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Their talent quickly grasped the attention of a local producer, Prince Paul and the trio came up with their first album '3 Feet High and Rising' in 1989. The album is still considered a masterpiece and it also happens to be their most commercially successful record. With the help of their eccentric wordplay and eclectic jazz and funk samples, the music group immediately differentiated from others and became unique among the people. Later the music group also landed in legal troubles.

Nobody was able to listen to their music in recent times as it became very hard for anyone to find their songs on major platforms but a deal was recently finalized that will finally allow their classic music to be played from next month.