John Forté, a Grammy-nominated musician, rapper, and producer widely recognized for his work with The Fugees and the Refugee Camp All-Stars, has died at the age of 50, authorities confirmed.
Police say Forté was found unresponsive Monday afternoon at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts. Officers and paramedics responded to a call around 2:25 p.m. and pronounced him dead at the scene. Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no signs of foul play or a “readily apparent cause of death.” The state medical examiner’s office is investigating, with the local District Attorney’s Office also involved.
A New York City native, Forté emerged as a standout talent in the mid-1990s, breaking into the mainstream in his early 20s through his writing and production work on the Fugees’ landmark 1996 album “The Score.” The album earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year and won Best Rap Album. Forté’s contributions included tracks such as “Family Business” and “Cowboys,” and his work on the project earned him a Grammy nomination at just 21 years old.
He went on to collaborate extensively with Wyclef Jean, contributing to songs including “We Trying to Stay Alive” and “Street Jeopardy,” and also worked with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and Mos Def. Forté also built a solo career with the release of “Poly Sci” in 1998 and “I John” in 2001.
A multi-instrumentalist, he also composed music for film and television. His solo work featured contributions from Carly Simon, whose son, Ben Taylor, was a close friend and longtime supporter. Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport in 2000 on drug possession and trafficking charges involving liquid cocaine, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. He served seven years before President George W. Bush commuted his sentence in 2008, following advocacy from musicians, public figures, and lawmakers, including Simon and former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch.
The musician is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children, Haile and Wren.
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