Hip Hop fans around the world today were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Dave “Trugoy” Jolicoeur at the age of 54.

Trugoy was a founding member of iconic New York trio De La Soul and widely regarded as a pioneer in the jazz-rap movement.

Active since the late 1980s, De La Soul gained wide attention, particularly with their first two albums, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) and De La Soul is Dead (1993). 

In later years, De La Soul were plagued by contract disputes and issues with sample clearance, resulting in much of their back catalogue never being officially available on digital streaming services. This was recently resolved and their first six albums are due to be released on March 3rd of 2023.