The trade journal AllHipHop was the first to publish the information, later confirmed by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
The cause of death remains unknown at this time.
In recent years, Trugoy had spoken publicly about his problems with heart failure and said it had kept him from touring with fellow trio members Posdnuos and Maseo.
The hip-hop group, precursor in its genre, was formed in 1988 in Amityville on the island of Long Island.
They are known for their eclectic sampling, their use of puns and especially for their influence within the alternative hip-hop scene, in particular on the rise of jazz rap.
The trio, acquired from the East Coast rap scene in the United States, cultivated a positive and light image, unlike the gangsta rap style at work on the other side of the country, on the west coast.
The group's first six albums, De La Soul, released between 1989 and 2001, have long been inaccessible on streaming platforms because their Tommy Boy label has not taken on the enormous legal task of ensuring that the pieces in the samples had the right to be used.
The news of the musician's death caused the industry, including MC pundit Big Daddy Kane, to react: "It was an honor to share so many stages with you".
Rapper Busta Rhymes tweeted his "utter disbelief" at the news.
"It really hurts. Dave, aka Trugoy the Dove, fly, fly...Rest in peace the King."
Pharrell Williams meanwhile tweeted that he was "sending love, light and positive vibes to his family, Soul and anyone whose life has been touched by his existence".
© 2023 AFP