The music world is mourning the loss of John Forté, the acclaimed rapper and producer best known for his pivotal collaborations with the legendary hip-hop group Fugees. He has died at the age of 50.
Discovery and Initial Investigation
According to the Associated Press, Forté was found dead on Monday at his residence in Chilmark, located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin issued a statement confirming the discovery. While the precise cause of death remains undetermined pending an investigation by the state medical examiner’s office, Chief Slavin noted there was no apparent evidence of foul play at the scene.
A Career Forged with Fugees and Grammy Success
Forté's musical legacy is inextricably linked to the Fugees, the iconic trio of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel. He was a key member of the affiliated collective Refugee Camp All-Stars, contributing to production and collaborations.
His most significant work came on the group's seminal 1996 album, The Score. Forté earned co-writing and co-producing credits on the tracks Family Business and Cowboys, also performing on the former. The album was a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard 200 chart and achieving 7x Platinum certification in the US. This success led to a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, which Forté shared.
Further collaborations included performing on the 1997 Fugees track Rumble In The Jungle and working with Wyclef Jean on the single We Trying To Stay Alive from Jean's solo debut The Carnival.
A Dramatic Fall and Presidential Commutation
Forté's promising career was abruptly interrupted in 2000 when he was arrested at Newark International Airport. He was convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy, related to a briefcase containing liquid cocaine valued at $1.4 million. He received the mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years in prison.
While awaiting sentencing, he recorded his second album, I, John (2002), which featured a duet with Carly Simon. Simon became a staunch advocate for his release. In a remarkable turn of events, after lobbying efforts that included former Senator Orrin Hatch, President George W. Bush commuted Forté's sentence in November 2008.
Following his release, Forté resumed his music career, releasing several albums including Vessels, Angels & Ancestors in 2021. He also wrote the 2012 anthem Brooklyn: Something To Lean On for the Brooklyn Nets basketball team.
In his personal life, he married photographer Lara Fuller in 2015 after meeting her on Martha's Vineyard. He is survived by his wife and their two children, a daughter named Wren and a son named Haile.
