Trugoy the Dove’s death has been met with shock and sadness from across the Hip Hop community, with Pharrell, Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah and many more mourning the tragic news.
Trugoy (a.k.a. Dave a.k.a. Plug Two) — who was one-third of the legendary De La Soul — passed away at the age of 54 on Sunday (February 12).
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While a cause of death has yet to be confirmed, the Long Island, New York native (real name David Jolicoeur) had seen his health impacted by congestive heart failure in recent years.
He first revealed the news to fans in a clip at the beginning of De La Soul’s 2017 video for “Royalty Capes” and was briefly hospitalized in 2020.
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His death comes just weeks before the trio’s back catalog — including influential albums like 3 Feet High and Rising, Buhloone Mindstate and Stakes Is High — is set to make its long-awaited debut on streaming services following sample clearance issues and a contractual dispute with their former label, Tommy Boy Records.
As news of Trugoy’s passing spread, social media became flooded with heartfelt and heartbroken posts from fans and peers alike, many of whom were raised by the pioneering sounds and stylings of De La Soul.
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“Trugoy Dave from De La Soul has gone up to be with the day of the stars with the Master,” Pharrell tweeted. “Sending love, light and positive vibrations to his family, The Soul and everyone whose lives have been touched by his existence. Oodles and Oodles and Oodles of O’s.”
Busta Rhymes, a close affiliate of De La’s Native Tongues brethren A Tribe Called Quest, expressed his heartbreak on Instagram. “Complete Disbelief that I’m typing this right now. This one hurts Bad,” he wrote. “Dave aka Trugoy the Dove Fly Beloved Fly.. Rest Easy King.”
Trugoy’s death hit especially close to home to those who rose to prominence alongside De La Soul, including Prince Paul — who produced the group’s first three albums — and fellow Native Tongues Queen Latifah and Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest.
“You have no idea how much pain in this last year. Dave love you bro,” tweeted Paul, who just a few months ago had teased new music with the trio of Dave, Posdnuos and Maseo. “A blessing we got a chance to unite again. Divine power. Literally no words anymore. De la soul forever.”
“I know the news about Plug Two has spread. Please know I appreciate all my friends and family for checking on [me]. But at this time I ask that you give me some time to process the loss of my dear friend. I will reach out when I am ready,” Jarobi wrote on Instagram.
Latifah, meanwhile, reshared a post on her Instagram Stories that read: “Rest in peace to a great soul Trugoy the Dove,” next to a photo of the late lyricist.
Elsewhere, more reactions flooded in from Nas, LL COOL J, Chuck D, Questlove, Common, Black Thought, DJ Premier, Redman, Talib Kweli, Bun B, 9th Wonder, Royce Da 5’9″ and others. Posdnuos and Maseo have yet to address Trugoy’s death.
The Trugoy tributes will no doubt continue to pour in on March 3, when De La Soul’s first six albums will become available digitally for the first time.
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Check out more reactions below. HipHopDX extends its condolences to De La Soul, the Native Tongues camp and Trugoy’s friends and family.
