De La Soul Members Names: The Real People Behind Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Maseo
The three members of De La Soul are Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos), David Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove), and Vincent Mason (Maseo). This Long Island trio didn’t just pick random stage names—each alias tells a story about the man behind the microphone. From backwards spelling tricks to deep musical meaning, their names became as legendary as their music.
Quick Facts About De La Soul
| Member | Real Name | Stage Name(s) | Born | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posdnuos | Kelvin Mercer | Pos, Plug One, Mercenary | August 17, 1969 | Lead MC, Producer |
| Trugoy | David Jolicoeur | Dave, Plug Two | September 21, 1968 – February 12, 2023 | MC |
| Maseo | Vincent Mason | P.A. Pasemaster Mase, Plug Three | March 24, 1970 | DJ, MC |
Posdnuos: The Backwards Sound Operative
Kelvin Mercer’s stage name “Posdnuos” (pronounced “poss-duh-noose”) isn’t just a cool-sounding word—it’s sounds op spelled backwards. “Sounds Operative” was his DJ name in high school before he became an MC.
Born in The Bronx on August 17, 1969, and raised in East Massapequa, Long Island, Kelvin became the de facto lead voice of De La Soul. His intricate wordplay and ability to flip concepts on their heads made him one of hip-hop’s most underrated lyricists.
His other aliases include:
- Plug One – From the early concept of 3 Feet High and Rising where music transmitted from Mars through three microphone plugs
- Mercenary – A play on his last name “Mercer,” given to him by DCQ (Mos Def’s brother)
- Plug Wonder Why and Plug Won – Later evolutions of the Plug One concept
At 56, Posdnuos remains active, continuing to carry De La Soul’s legacy forward after Trugoy’s passing in 2023. For fans looking to honor the group’s legacy, wearing your appreciation has never been more meaningful. Our De La Soul Stakes Is High T-Shirt celebrates their 1996 masterpiece—an album that showed the group’s willingness to evolve while staying true to their artistic vision.
Trugoy the Dove: Yogurt Spelled Backwards
Here’s the fun fact every hip-hop head should know: Trugoy is literally “yogurt” spelled backwards. David Jolicoeur loved yogurt as a kid, and the playful name stuck.
But “the Dove” wasn’t just whimsy—it represented peace, creativity, and a different kind of hip-hop. Born September 21, 1968, in Brooklyn to Haitian-American parents, David grew up in East Massapequa where he met his future bandmates at Amityville Memorial High School.
On tracks like “Stakes Is High,” Trugoy wasn’t afraid to call out hip-hop’s problems directly:
“I’m sick of b——s shakin’ a—es / I’m sick of talkin’ ’bout blunts, sick of Versace glasses / Sick of slang, sick of half-a— awards shows / Sick of name-brand clothes.”
As writer Marcus Shorter noted in Andscape, “Trugoy, like De La Soul, played the thankless role of hip-hop’s conscience.” He died February 12, 2023, just weeks before their catalog finally hit streaming services—a bittersweet moment for fans who waited decades.
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Maseo: The B-Boy DJ With NFL Connections
Vincent Lamont Mason Jr.—known as Maseo—is the group’s DJ and turntablist. The name “Mase” comes from his last name, with “Maseo” evolving around De La Soul Is Dead (1991).
His original stage name was P.A. Pasemaster Mase, where “Pasemaster” served as an alternative to the standard “DJ” title. According to early interviews, “Mase” could also stand for “Making A Soul Effort.”
Born March 24, 1970, in Brooklyn, Maseo describes himself as “a b-boy to my heart.” While his scratching and DJ work defines De La Soul’s live shows, he’s also contributed verses on tracks like “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)” and “Bitties in the BK Lounge.”
Fun fact: Maseo’s famous laugh opens Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.”—a collaboration that won De La Soul their first Grammy in 2006.
And here’s something most fans don’t know: Maseo’s son, Tre Mason, played running back for the Los Angeles Rams. Hip-hop royalty and NFL talent in the same bloodline.
The Plug Connection: What’s With the Numbers?
You’ll often see De La Soul members referred to as Plug One, Plug Two, and Plug Three. This comes from an abandoned concept for 3 Feet High and Rising.
The original idea: music being transmitted from Mars by three microphone plugs, each representing a group member. While the concept didn’t make the final cut, the naming convention stuck:
- Plug One = Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer)
- Plug Two = Trugoy the Dove (David Jolicoeur)
- Plug Three = Maseo (Vincent Mason)
This explains why their 2012 album (without Maseo) was titled Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present… First Serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the real names of De La Soul members?
De La Soul consists of Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos), David Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove), and Vincent Mason (Maseo). All three met at Amityville Memorial High School on Long Island, New York.
Why is Trugoy called “yogurt backwards”?
David Jolicoeur chose the name Trugoy because it’s “yogurt” spelled backwards—he loved yogurt as a kid. “The Dove” was added to represent peace and his gentle artistic approach, contrasting with the aggressive posturing common in late-80s hip-hop.
What does Posdnuos mean?
Posdnuos is “sounds op” (short for “sounds operative”) spelled backwards. Kelvin Mercer used “Sounds” as his DJ name in high school before becoming an MC. The backwards spelling fit De La Soul’s playful, unconventional approach to hip-hop.
Is Maseo related to the NFL player Tre Mason?
Yes! Vincent Mason (Maseo) is the father of Tre Mason, who played running back for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams from 2014-2016. Tre was a third-round draft pick after starring at Auburn University.
Who is still alive in De La Soul?
As of 2025, Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer) and Maseo (Vincent Mason) are still active and performing. Trugoy the Dove (David Jolicoeur) passed away on February 12, 2023, at age 54 from congestive heart failure. The group recently released Cabin in the Sky (2025) as a tribute to their late member.
Why did De La Soul use so many aliases?
Multiple aliases were common in golden-era hip-hop, allowing artists to explore different personas and keep their creativity fresh. De La Soul’s aliases often had personal meanings—Trugoy’s yogurt connection, Posdnuos’s DJ history, and the Plug numbers representing their collective identity.
What is the D.A.I.S.Y. Age?
D.A.I.S.Y. stands for “Da Inner Sound, Y’all”—a concept from De La Soul’s debut 3 Feet High and Rising (1989). It represented their positive, alternative approach to hip-hop. However, the group felt stereotyped as “hippies” and symbolically killed the D.A.I.S.Y. Age with their second album De La Soul Is Dead (1991).
Where are De La Soul from?
De La Soul formed in Amityville, a village on Long Island, New York. All three members grew up in the East Massapequa/Amityville area and attended Amityville Memorial High School, where they met producer Prince Paul.
