De La Soul’s David Jolicoeur, Who Rapped as Trugoy the Dove, Dies at 54
De La Soul, the rap group that used unusual samples and strange humour to broaden the artistic vocabulary of hip-hop in the
late 1980s and early 1990s, becoming MTV mainstays and cult icons of the genre, lost David Jolicoeur on Sunday. He was 54.
The group's spokesman, Tony Ferguson, announced his passing but did not give a cause of death or mention where Mr. Jolicoeur was when he passed away.
Mr. Jolicoeur has recently been outspoken about his battle with congestive heart disease, including in the music video for the song "Royalty Capes" by the group.
When De La Soul released the album "3 Feet High and Rising" in 1989, hip-hop was still mostly unheard of among the general public.
With groups like Public Enemy and N.W.A speaking out against racism, police brutality, and neglect of Black neighbourhoods in America,
The genre's public face was frequently combative. De La Soul, a trio of Long Islanders from the middle class,
presented themselves in contrast with hippy flowery patterns and a music video for their song "Me Myself and I" that was filmed in a high school.
To the sneers and side-eyes of their peers in gold chains, dark sunglasses, and identical B-boy attire, the group sported baggy, vividly coloured clothing.