The rapper, who was one of the founding members of the hip-hop trio, was reportedly battling congestive heart failure in recent years before he passed away on Sunday, February 12.

AceShowbiz -While sports fans were celebrating the biggest football event of the year this weekend, hip-hop community is in mourning. Trugoy The Dove of De La Soul has reportedly died at age 54.

According to AllHipHop which first reported the news, it was the rapper’s team who confirmed the sad news. Very little is known about his passing, but the site noted that the New York City native had been struggling with his health over the past few years.

Sharing other details, TMZ claimed that Trugoy, whose real name is David Jude Jolicoeur, passed away on Sunday, February 12 at a hospital in Maryland. The cause of death remains unknown, but the site heard that Trugoy, who also performed under the moniker Dave, appeared to have died from natural causes and that he was battling an undisclosed illness.

The Hollywood Reporter further reported that Trugoy was battling congestive heart failure in recent years, living with a LifeVest machine affixed to his person. When De La Soul took part of the hip-hop tribute at the Grammy Awards last week, Trugoy was not onstage with his fellow bandmates.

De La Soul has not addressed the loss of one of its three founding members on its official social accounts. Meanwhile, fans have sent messages of condolences in the comments of the group’s last Instagram post.

“My condolences. I wish the pain could make it better just this once,” one person wrote. Another simply said they were “heartbroken,” while another paid tribute to the late star, “Rip Dave. A true original.”

“Rest in power Dave. Thank you for all u gave us,” another fan commented on the post. A fifth user added, “R.I.P. trugoy!! You inspired me to be the rapper I am today. Kind, funny and energetic. You taught us how to stay away from violence rather than start it. You will forever be my favorite rapper,” while a shocked fan wrote, “I can’t believe it . God please no !”

Rapper Big Daddy Kane posted on Instagram, “Dave! It was a honor to share so many stages with you.” Erik Sermon also mourned the death, “This one hurts. From Long Island from one of the best rap groups in Hiphop # Delasoul #plug2 Dave has passed away you will be missed… RIP.”

Young Guru added, “Rest in peace my brother. You were loved. @plugwondelasoul I love you brother we are here for you. Smiles I love you bro. This is crazy,” while DJ Semtex admitted that it was “heart wrenching news.”

Trugoy performed with Posdnuos and Maseo as a group, De La Soul, since high school. Their debut album “3 Feet High and Rising” has been called “a hip hop masterpiece” and posted the band’s biggest commercial success to date.

Trugoy’s passing comes as the group is gearing up to re-release their first six studio albums on streaming services.

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