United States: The veteran American rapper Mr. David Jolicoeur, a founding member of the renowned rap trio De La Soul, has died at the age of 54.

Mr. Jolicoeur co-founded the legendary trio along with Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer) and Maseo (Vincent Lamont Mason).

The group changed the face of hip-hop in the late 80s and early 90s and was honoured at the recently held Grammy Awards in Los Angeles during a tribute to the genre.

Over the course of their performing career, De La Soul was nominated for six Grammy Awards, winning one for best pop collaboration with vocals for “Feel Good Inc.” in 2006.

In 2018, the musician, who commonly performed under the stage name Trugoy the Dove and later in his career as Dave, had been open about his health issues and revealed his congestive heart failure in a music video for the De La Soul song Royalty Capes, adding that “I am ready just to get back to the stage. I miss it.”

Mr. B Real, a rapper with the hip-hop group Cypress Hill, described Mr. Jolicoeur as a “legend of hip-hop music and culture.”

“His music will allow him to live in our hearts and minds. But not only was he a great musician, he was a great human being. He meant a lot to us,” Mr. Real posted on Twitter.

“This one hurts. On Long Island, one of the best rap groups in Hiphop # Delasoul #plug2 Dave has passed away. You will be missed. RIP,” Rapper and producer Mr. Erick Sermon shared on Instagram.

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