David Jolicoeur, a founding member of the pioneering hip hop trio De La Soul, has died aged 54, US media have reported.
No cause of death has been given for the rapper, who went by the stage name Trugoy the Dove.
The American musician had previously spoken publicly about his congestive heart failure in recent years.
Jolicoeur co-founded the legendary trio – alongside Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer) and Maseo (Vincent Lamont Mason Jr).
The group changed the face of hip-hop in the late 80s and early 90s, and was honoured at last week’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles during a tribute to the genre.
Writing on Twitter, B Real – a rapper with the hip-hop group Cypress Hill – described Jolicoeur as a “legend of hip hop music and culture”.
“His music will allow him to live in our hearts and minds,” he wrote. “But not only was he a great musician but he was a great human being. He meant a lot to us.”
Last month, the group’s classic albums were made available for streaming online. (BBC)