De La Soul’s Trugoy the Dove Dead at 54

Trugoy the Dove, one-third of the influential hip-hop group De La Soul, has died Rolling Stone reports. He was 54. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Trugoy the Dove, born David Jude Jolicoeur, formed the rap trio with high school friends rappers Posdnuos and Maseo in 1988. They grew up in Amityville in Long Island, New York where they caught the attention of producer Prince Paul. The rap trio released their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989. They would go on to release seven more albums and win a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Feel Good Inc."

Notable hits by the rap trio included "Me Myself And I" (1989),"Breakadawn" (1993) and
"All Good?" (2000). Their impact in hip-hop has influenced the next generation of hip-hop superstars, including Pharrell Williams, the Roots and  Tyler, The Creator.

Tyler, the Creator, spoke about how their unique style influenced his Grammy-nominated 2017 LP Flower Boy.

"Our music is raw, and it's funky but, at the same time, it’s deeply soulful because this is the Daisy Age and this is the sound from within," Trugoy told The Guardian in 2014. "Rap doesn't have to come off with hard basslines and heavy kicks and snares. People sometimes want to listen to soft music—even the hardcore crowd."

De La Soul was a part of the hip-hop tribute during the Grammys last week, but Trugoy was missing from the performance. He'd been open in recent years that his health kept him from performing.

"I’m ready just to get back to the stage," he said. "I miss that, I love traveling. I love being around my guys and I want that back," he said in De La Soul's "Royalty Capes" video. De La Soul's catalog will be released digitally for the first time on March 3.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards honored the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop with a tribute performance co-curated by Questlove. Before the performance began, Dr. Dre was honored with the inaugural Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. "The recipient of this inaugural award is none other than an icon who helped define West Coast hip-hop and has become one of the most impactful success stories of our time," LL Cool J said introducing the legendary producer. The Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was established by the Recording Academy and the Black Music Collective.

Dre explained the importance of this award. "[This award] uses my name to inspire the next generation of producers, artists, and entrepreneurs to reach for their greatness and demand that from everyone around you."

LL Cool J then lead 33 hip-hop artists to a 13-minute performance spanning several generations. Missy Elliott, Run DMC, Salt n Pepa, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, Nelly, GloRilla, Lil Baby, and more took to the stage.

Take a look at the setlist for the hip-hop tribute and photos below:

Part 1:

Black Thought Narration
Grandmaster Flash w/ Barshon, Mele Mel, Rahiem & Scorpio – “Flash To The Beat”
Grandmaster Flash w/ Barshon, Mele Mel, Rahiem & Scorpio – “The Message”
Run-DMC – “King Of Rock”
LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
DJ Jazzy Jeff – “Rock the Bells”
Salt-N-Pepa – “My Mic Sounds Nice”
Rakim – “Eric B Is President”
Chuck D & Flavor Flav of Public Enemy – “Rebel Without A Pause”

Part 2:

Black Thought w/ LL Cool J – “El Shabazz Skit”
De La Soul – “Buddy”
Scarface – “My Mind’s Playing Tricks On Me”
Ice-T – “New Jack Hustler (Nino’s Theme)”
Queen Latifah – “U.N.I.T.Y.”
Method Man – “Method Man”
Big Boi – “ATLiens”
Busta Rhymes & Spliff Star – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” / “Look At Me Now”
Missy Elliot – “Lose Control”

Part 3:

Queen Latifah Narration
Nelly & City Spud – “Hot In Herre”
Too $hort – “Blow The Whistle”
Swizz Beatz & The Lox – “We Gonna Make It”
Lil Baby – “Freestyle”
GloRilla – “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)”
Lil Uzi Vert – “Just Wanna Rock”