The music and film industries are in mourning as they bid farewell to several beloved figures who left an indelible mark on their respective crafts.
Among them is David Jude Jolicoeur, affectionately known as Trugoy the Dove, a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group De La Soul.
Jolicoeur passed away on February 12 at the age of 54, with his representative Tony Ferguson confirming the sad news.
While the specific cause of his death remains undisclosed, it’s known that he had been battling congestive heart failure for some time.
De La Soul, formed in Long Island, revolutionized hip-hop with their innovative sound and thoughtful lyrics.
The trio garnered six Grammy nominations throughout their career, clinching a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for their hit “Feel Good Inc.” back in 2006.
Their legacy continues to influence countless artists today, a testament to their groundbreaking contributions to the genre.
In another tragic turn of events, South African rapper Aka, whose real name was Keaton Forbes, was fatally shot outside a restaurant in Durban.
He was just 35 years old.
The incident occurred while Aka and his close friend, chef Tibello “Tibbs” Motzon, were reportedly en route to a nightclub for a birthday celebration.
The investigation into the motive behind this shocking act is ongoing, leaving fans and fellow artists in disbelief.
Aka was no stranger to accolades, having received multiple nominations for the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards and even earning a nod for the MTV Europe Music Awards.
His vibrant contributions to the South African music scene have left a lasting impression, and his untimely death has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.
The film industry also lost a luminary with the passing of Hugh Hudson, the British director best known for the Oscar-winning film “Chariots of Fire.”
Hudson died on February 10 at the age of 86 after a brief illness, as confirmed by his family.
“Chariots of Fire,” released in 1981, was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Director for Hudson himself, and it remains a classic in cinematic history.
Meanwhile, the entertainment community is still reeling from the loss of actor Cody Lungo, who was found dead at his home in Austin, Texas, on February 8.
At just 34 years old, Lungo’s life was tragically cut short, likely due to accidental alcohol poisoning.
His representative revealed that Lungo had been grappling with alcohol addiction but had recently shown signs of recovery.
