Member of the emblematic trio of the alternative rap scene from the 90s, the musician had been suffering for several years of heart failure.
MO12345lemonde with AFP
David Jolicœur, member of the Hip-Hop Trio of Soul, also known by his stage name “Trugoy The Dove” died at the age of 54. The specialized journal Allhop was the first to publish the information on Sunday February 12, then confirmed by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. The reason for the death remains unknown for the time.
In recent years, Trugoy had spoke publicly about his heart failure problems – especially in This 2016 video, Royalty Capes – and had confided that they had prevented him from going on tour with the other members of the Posdnuos and Maseo trio. Soul had participated in the performance of tribute to hip-hop during the Grammy Awards on February 5, but Trugoy was not on stage with his group’s comrades.
The hip-hop group, a precursor in its kind, formed in 1988 in Amityville on the island of Long Island, in New York State. After drawing the attention of local producer Prince Paul, from Soul released his first album 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989, which remained their greatest commercial success. Considered a classic, the disc influenced a large number of musicians, including Mos Def, Jurassic 5, Tyler The Creator, Pharrell or Damon Albarn, who had enlisted Trugoy for the first Hit of Gorillaz feel good inc .
a positive image, light and funny
From a stylistic point of view, the group is known for its eclectic samplings on the borders of jazz and funk, its extensive use of puns and for its central role within the alternative hip-hop scene. The trio was thus part of the native Tongues Posse, a collective of artists who also included a tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, or Queen Latifah.
Acquired at the Rap East Coast scene, soul cultivated a positive, light and funny image, unlike the Gangsta Rap style which was deployed at the same time on the two American coasts. This inventiveness and this light energy, we find them in their best known pieces like Breakadawn, Stakes is High or Me Myself and I.
The group’s first six albums, from 1989 to 2001, have long been inaccessible on streaming platforms because their label, Tommy Boy Records, had not paid the rights of the samples used in their songs. However, the group recently announced that this part of their catalog would be available online on March 3.
The news of the death of Trugoy has reacted the industry, including the Ponte Mc Big Daddy Kane: “It was an honor to share so many scenes with you”.