John Forté, the Grammy-nominated producer, recording artist, and longtime collaborator with the influential hip-hop group the Fugees, has been found dead at age 50. Local authorities in Chilmark, Massachusetts, responded Monday afternoon to a call from a neighbor who found Forté unresponsive in his home; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no immediate signs of foul play or a readily apparent cause of death, and the case has been referred to the Massachusetts state medical examiner’s office for further investigation.
Forté rose to prominence in the mid-1990s for his work on the Fugees’ landmark 1996 album The Score, contributing to writing and production that helped the record achieve multi-platinum success and critical acclaim. He also collaborated with Wyclef Jean on Jean’s solo projects and released solo albums including Poly Sci and I John.
Born in New York City, Forté’s musical talents were evident from a young age. Over his career he balanced roles as a multi-instrumentalist, rapper, songwriter, and producer, earning recognition across the music industry. Despite facing legal challenges in the early 2000s—including a drug trafficking conviction later commuted by President George W. Bush—Forté returned to music and maintained a creative presence in the years that followed.
Forté lived in Martha’s Vineyard with his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children. Friends, fellow artists, and fans have begun to share tributes and memories following news of his sudden passing, highlighting his impact on hip-hop and the broader musical community.
