De La Soul Honors Trugoy
De La Soul delivered a resonant Tiny Desk Concert, honoring their hip-hop legacy and the late Trugoy the Dove with a set blending classic hits and new material. The performance celebrates the group's enduring influence for both longtime fans and newcomers.
The performance comes after a period of both triumph and tragedy for the group. Co-founder David "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur passed away at 54 in February 2023 after a public battle with congestive heart failure. His death occurred just weeks before a major career milestone the group had fought for decades to achieve. For years, De La Soul's classic first six albums were absent from streaming services due to complex sample clearance issues and contractual disputes with their former label, Tommy Boy Records. After the label was acquired by Reservoir Media in 2021, the group finally gained control of their masters. The group's back catalog, including seminal albums like "3 Feet High and Rising" and "De La Soul Is Dead," finally debuted on all streaming platforms on March 3, 2023. The date is now celebrated by fans as "De La Soul Day," which is why NPR released the Tiny Desk Concert on the same date in 2026. The Tiny Desk setlist featured tracks from their new album, "Cabin in The Sky," their first studio release in nine years. The album serves as a tribute to Trugoy, featuring his previously unreleased vocals and production on the opening track, "YUHDONTSTOP." Alongside classics like "Stakes is High" and "Me Myself and I," the group performed new songs such as "Sunny Storms," "Different World," and "A Quick 16 for Mama." The performance was a deliberate balance of celebrating their legacy and honoring Trugoy's creative vision for the new material. "Cabin in The Sky" continues the group's collaborative spirit, with guest appearances from artists like Nas, Common, Slick Rick, Killer Mike, and Black Thought.
