AllHipHophas reported that Plug Two or Trugoy The Dove, of the hip hop trio De La Soul, has passed away. There was an outpouring of love for the fallen rapper on social media.
The 54-year-old emcee, born David Jolicoeur, had been suffering from health issues, but the date of his death hasn’t been confirmed. In 2018, Trugoy disclosed that he had congestive heart failure but was looking forward to getting back to performing and touring again.
“I’m ready just to get back to the stage,” he shared. “I miss that. I love traveling. I love being around my guys, and I want that back.”
In May 2020, from a hospital bed, he spoke candidly about his health with his fellow groupmates– Plug One and Posdnuos. The trio openly talked to fans about their music and the rapper’s health condition.
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Fans offered their condolences online regarding Plug Two’s death.
Skateboarder Tony Hawk expressed his condolences via Instagram, writing, “My condolences. I wish the pain could make it better just this once.”
Aloe Blacc wrote, “A true original! Rest in peace, Trugoy.”
9thwonder penned, “Heartbroken 💔.”
On Twitter, fans also expressed their condolences.
RIP Trugoy the Dove, Plug Two, Dave. Can’t say enough about how much De La mean to me and meant to me back in 89, 91, 93, 96… the years just go on. I’m not OK. This is all sorts of fucked up. Damn. A Hip Hop legend and 1/3 of one of the greatest groups of all time. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/yTnDjTicvo
— aka Jimbo Jones (@jimbojonestown) February 12, 2023
This one HURTS. RIP Trugoy. The pride of Long Island. One of the best to ever do it. Plug Two forever pic.twitter.com/Uh6QKYk5uV
— White, Powdery Beef (@elpardack) February 12, 2023
Rest In Peace Trugoy of De La Soul.
My last tour run was with De La Soul managing the opening artist. It was a honor working with the legendary group.
Plug Two forever pic.twitter.com/3qBPIPRkVD
— Bruce Hamilton (@iBruceHamilton) February 13, 2023
So sad to head that Trugoy The Dove aka Plug Two from De La Soul has passed away, 3 Feet High & Rising remains one of the greatest hip hop records ever for me, not just that but everything De La Soul do, the were the sound of optimism, hope & joy for me as a kid. RIP pic.twitter.com/pHEd6ACUB2
— Kelly-Anne Byrne (@KellyAnneByrne2) February 13, 2023
One of the dopest emcees from one of the greatest groups of all-time. An absolutely indelible legacy. Man, RIP Plug Two. https://t.co/wHGk6OEZTY
— Jedi Mind Tricks (@jmthiphop) February 12, 2023
In August 2021, De La Soul gained a big win. The legendary rap group fought for their masters and won. Talib Kweli announced the good news via Instagram.
“Ladies and gentlemen I spoke to @djmaseo from the legendary @wearedelasoul today and it’s official. After years of being taken advantage by the recording industry in the worst possible ways, De La Soul now owns all the rights to their masters and is in full control of the amazing music they have created,” Kweli wrote.
The trio won their masters back after Reservoir Media acquired Tommy Boy Records’ catalog. The media company had ownership of De La Soul’s six albums from their former label. Reservoir Media did the right thing and put the masters back in the hands of their rightful owners.
According to AllHipHop, it took 3 decades, but their trailblazing debut “3 Feet High and Rising,” “De La Soul Is Dead,” “Buhloone Mindstate,” “Stakes Is High,” “Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump” and “AOI: Bionix” will be available on all DSPs in March.
In January, Posdnuos expressed how he felt about owning De La Soul’s work, saying, “When we got together with the owners of Tommy Boy, every now and then, we’d make a few strides, then maybe all of us within the group wouldn’t trust in what was going on.
“Communications would be shut down for a few months. To get to the point where Reservoir has taken over the Tommy Boy catalog, they immediately reached out and they were like, ‘Look man, we have control of this. Let’s work it out.’ It was a whole different feeling, a better energy.”
“Let’s be honest. They didn’t have to do it. It was just great to know they did take the time to work this out with us, but it’s been a journey,” Posdnuos said with gratitude. “Once it was worked out, we still had to get all the business, all the affairs handled and now here we are.”
Rest in peace, Trugoy!
