The Hip Hop community was dealt a massive blow on Sunday (February 12) when the news broke beloved De La Soul MC, Trugoy The Dove, had died in Maryland. Social media blew up with tribute posts as many grappled with the reality one-third of the groundbreaking Hip Hop group was no longer physically here.
But some, of course, were closer to Trugoy than others. Among them, Stetsasonic founder Daddy-O, who took his grief to Instagram. Hours after the news had spread, Daddy-O shared how much he was hurting along with how De La Soul got its name. He also revealed he was responsible for getting De La Soul their record deal.
"R.I.P. Trugoy, Plug 2," he wrote. "Most people don't know I got De La Soul their record deal, OR that the name De La Soul comes from a Stetsasonic song ["Rock De La Stet"]. Dave used to come to the studio with Paul and soak up everything we exuded. I often say that there are no Duo better, and that includes OutKast and Run DMC. Dave was the epitome of a Dope MC. The ENTIRE package. On 3/3 the De La Soul catalog will be released digitally. Maybe then you'll see my point. This one hurts. Shout Out to my brothers @djprincepaul and @plugwondelasoul. FUCK."
De La Soul was poised to have an incredible year. After decades of wrestling with Tommy Boy over their catalog, the group's first six albums are finally getting uploaded to digital streaming platforms on March 3. But Trugoy's death makes the hard-won victory bittersweet.
Prince Paul, who produced De La Soul's first three albums—3 Feet High & Rising, De La Soul Is Dead and Buhloone Mindstate—spoke out on Twitter, writing, "You have no idea how much pain in this last year. Dave love you bro, a blessing we got a chance to unite again. Divine power. Literally no words anymore. De la soul forever."
