David Jolicoeur, member of hip-hop trio De La Soul, also known by his stage name “Trugoy the Dove”, has died at the age of 54, American media reported on Sunday.
AllHipHop magazine was the first to publish the information, which was later confirmed by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
The cause of death is still unknown at this time.
In recent years, Trugoy has spoken publicly about his heart failure struggles, saying it has kept him from touring with fellow trio members Posdnuos and Maseo.
The hip-hop group, pioneers of their genre, was formed in 1988 in Amityville on Long Island.
They are known for their eclectic sampling, use of puns, and most importantly for their influence on the alternative hip hop scene, particularly the rise of jazz rap.
Hailing from the East Coast rap scene in the United States, the trio cultivated a positive and light-hearted image, in contrast to the gangsta rap style at work across the country on the West Coast.
De La Soul have only recently started releasing their signature tracks to streaming platforms after a decade-long crusade for the rights to their samples.
The group’s first six albums, from 1989 to 2001, were long inaccessible on the platforms because their Tommy Boy label failed to take on the enormous legal task of making sure the tracks were allowed to be used in the samples.
News of Trugoy’s death prompted a response from the industry, including MC pundit Big Daddy Kane: “It’s been an honor to share so many scenes with you.”