What Happened to De La Soul? The Tragic Loss, Streaming Saga & New 2025 Album

De La Soul lost founding member Trugoy the Dove (David Jolicoeur) on February 12, 2023, to congestive heart failure at age 54. The tragedy came just weeks before their music finally returned to streaming services after a decades-long legal battle with Tommy Boy Records. Despite this devastating loss, remaining members Posdnuos and Maseo have continued the group’s legacy, releasing the posthumous album Cabin in the Sky in November 2025.

Quick Facts	Details
What happened?	Trugoy the Dove passed away February 12, 2023
Cause of death	Congestive heart failure
Age at passing	54 years old
Streaming return	March 3, 2023 (2 weeks after his death)
2025 album	Cabin in the Sky (November 21, 2025)
Remaining members	Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer) & Maseo (Vincent Mason)

The Tragic Loss of Trugoy the Dove

The hip-hop world was shaken when David Jude Jolicoeur, known as Trugoy the Dove (an anagram of Yogurt), passed away from congestive heart failure on February 12, 2023. His death came at a bittersweet moment—just weeks before De La Soul’s music would finally become available on streaming platforms for the first time.

Trugoy was the creative visionary behind much of De La Soul’s groundbreaking work. His introspective lyrics and unconventional approach helped define the Daisy Age movement that pushed back against hip-hop’s gangsta era in the late 1980s and early 1990s. As one-third of the Native Tongues collective alongside A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul helped reshape what hip-hop could be.

The timing of Trugoy’s death made the eventual streaming release both a celebration and a memorial. Fans who had waited decades to legally stream classics like 3 Feet High and Rising and De La Soul Is Dead could finally do so—but the man behind so many of those revolutionary lyrics was gone.

The Long Battle for Their Music

For nearly three decades, De La Soul’s classic albums were missing from streaming platforms while their contemporaries—Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest—were readily available. The problem? Hundreds of uncleared samples and a contentious relationship with their former label, Tommy Boy Records.

De La Soul’s debut album 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) was built on a revolutionary sample-heavy production style. The album contained samples from over 60 sources, many of which were never properly cleared for digital distribution. Tommy Boy owned the masters but was not willing to invest in the complex and expensive process of re-licensing all those samples.

The group fought publicly for years to regain control of their catalog. In 2019, Tommy Boy announced the albums would finally come to streaming, but De La Soul publicly rejected the deal, calling the revenue split unfair. It was not until Tommy Boy was acquired by Reservoir Media in 2021 that real progress began.

On March 3, 2023—less than three weeks after Trugoy’s death—the first six De La Soul albums finally arrived on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms. The bittersweet irony was not lost on anyone: the man who had fought so hard for this moment was not there to see it.

De La Soul’s Legacy Lives On

Despite the loss of Trugoy, De La Soul’s story continues. Posdnuos and Maseo have honored their fallen brother by completing work on Cabin in the Sky, released November 21, 2025. The album features guest appearances from hip-hop legends including Snoop Dogg, De La Soul affiliate Pete Rock, Common, Busta Rhymes, and many others.

Critics have praised Cabin in the Sky as a fitting tribute. With a Metacritic score of 81/100, reviews highlight how the album balances celebration of life with acknowledgment of loss. The Guardian called it deeply emotional while Pitchfork noted it serves as both eulogy and celebration.

For fans looking to honor De La Soul’s legacy, there is no better way than wearing your appreciation. Our De La Soul Stakes Is High T-Shirt celebrates their 1996 classic—an album that showed the group’s willingness to evolve while staying true to their artistic vision. Rep the Daisy Age and keep the Native Tongues spirit alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is De La Soul still together?

Yes, De La Soul continues as a duo with original members Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer) and Maseo (Vincent Mason). They released the album Cabin in the Sky in November 2025, honoring the legacy of their late member Trugoy.

When did Trugoy the Dove die?

Trugoy the Dove (David Jude Jolicoeur) passed away on February 12, 2023, at age 54 from congestive heart failure.

Why was De La Soul not on Spotify for so long?

De La Soul’s albums contained hundreds of uncleared samples, and disputes with their label Tommy Boy Records prevented digital distribution. The samples were too numerous and expensive to clear until Reservoir Media acquired Tommy Boy in 2021.

When did De La Soul’s music come to streaming?

De La Soul’s first six albums arrived on streaming platforms on March 3, 2023—just three weeks after Trugoy’s death.

What is De La Soul’s most famous album?

3 Feet High and Rising (1989) is their most acclaimed work, considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made. Their 1996 album Stakes Is High is also highly regarded for its mature, introspective approach.

Did De La Soul release any new music in 2025?

Yes, De La Soul released Cabin in the Sky on November 21, 2025. The album features numerous guest appearances and has received critical acclaim with an 81/100 Metacritic score.

What was De La Soul’s Daisy Age?

The Daisy Age was a movement in late 1980s hip-hop characterized by positive, afrocentric themes and psychedelic production. De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Jungle Brothers were its main proponents through the Native Tongues collective.

Where can I listen to De La Soul now?

De La Soul’s catalog is available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music.