It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. De La Soul’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall show was conceived to celebrate their beloved albums finally reaching streaming services after years in limbo. But in February, weeks before their rerelease, MC Dave “Trugoy” Jolicoeur died, and this intended victory lap would now double as a valedictory for the fallen rapper.
The night is, admits Jolicoeur’s partner-in-rhyme Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer, “a bittersweet blessing”. They are here “to celebrate our music being let out of prison”, he says, but there’s no escaping Jolicoeur’s absence. It’s an emotional night; Pos even climbs into the stalls to comfort an overcome fan. But the other purpose of the show, he emphasises, is “to celebrate Dave”. The best way to do that? “To party.”
