Formed in 1988, the band’s debut album 3 Feet High and Rising is a key work in hip hop.
Jolicoeur was 54 years old. The cause of Jolicoeur’s death was not immediately known, but Jolicoeur, who went by the stage name Trugoy the Dove, had been open about his heart condition, which, among other things, prevented him from participating in the band’s tours and performances in recent years.
De La Soul, who started in New York State in 1988, is considered one of the pioneers of alternative hip hop. The band’s more positive approach differed significantly from the gangsta rap that gained popularity at the turn of the 1990s.
The band’s debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, is a key work in hip hop, and its status is reflected in the fact that it has been selected for the US Library of Congress.
De La Soul was awarded a Grammy in 2006 for the song Feel Good Inc. made together with the band Gorillaz. In addition to this, the band was nominated for the award five times.
De La Soul has performed several times in Finland. The band performed for the first time in Finland already in 1990.