At a Glance
- John Forté, Grammy-nominated Fugees collaborator and solo artist, died at age 50 on January 12
- Found unresponsive on kitchen floor by neighbor in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard home
- No foul play suspected; cause of death not yet determined
- Why it matters: Forté’s musical legacy spans Fugees classics, solo albums, and film scores despite personal setbacks
John Forté, the Brooklyn-born musician who co-wrote and produced tracks on the Fugees’ Grammy-winning album The Score, has died at age 50.
According to MV Times, Forté was found alone on his kitchen floor by a neighbor who called police at 2:25 p.m. on Monday, January 12. Officers arrived to find him unresponsive and not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene in his Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard home.
Discovery and Investigation
The Chilmark police department confirmed no foul play is suspected. The small-town tragedy has shaken the tight-knit island community.
“It is such a small community, this death hits close to home. It’s the upside and the downside to living on such a small Island,” Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin told MV Times.
A cause of death has not been determined. The outlet reported Forté suffered a serious health setback one year ago when he was hospitalized after a seizure.
Musical Journey and Fugees Collaboration
Forté’s musical talent emerged early when he picked up the violin and enrolled in New Hampshire’s prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy. He later attended New York University, where he roomed with rapper Talib Kweli before dropping out to work for underground hip-hop label Rawkus Records.
In the early 1990s, Lauryn Hill introduced Forté to the Fugees. The connection proved transformative for both parties. He co-wrote and produced several songs on their 1996 album The Score, which won two Grammys and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
The album earned Forté his first Grammy nomination at just 21 years old. He toured extensively with the Fugees and contributed to Wyclef Jean’s debut solo album The Carnival in 1997.
Solo Career and Legal Troubles
Forté released his debut solo album Poly Sci in 1998, produced by Wyclef Jean. The album showcased his diverse talents as a rapper, singer, and producer.
His promising career was derailed in 2000 when he was arrested at Newark International Airport with liquid cocaine. He was charged with possession and intent to distribute. In 2001, a judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison under mandatory minimum drug laws.
While serving time at a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, Forté continued writing and recording. His second album I John featured collaborations with music legends Carly Simon and Herbie Hancock.
Presidential Commutation and Support
Carly Simon and her son Ben Taylor became vocal supporters of Forté’s case, calling his punishment excessive. Simon, who called Forté her “godson,” worked tirelessly for his freedom.
“I first met him through Ben Taylor, my son, who conveyed all the buzz: Brooklyn-born Forté had worked with the Fugees and recorded a tour de force debut solo album,” Simon wrote in a 2008 Vanity Fair essay.
“Soon, my daily routine revolved around working for his freedom,” she added.
President George W. Bush commuted Forté’s sentence in November 2008. He was released from prison four weeks later after serving 7 years of his sentence.
Later Career and Martha’s Vineyard Life
Following his release, Forté rebuilt his life and career. He became a prominent member of the Martha’s Vineyard music scene, where he lived with his wife and two children.
His musical output remained prolific. He composed the original score for the Breonna Taylor documentary Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance. In 2021, he released his latest album Vessels, Angels & Ancestors.
“Unlike past projects, I wasn’t burdened down by self-doubts like ‘I don’t know if I can do this,'” Forté told Billboard in 2021. “Early on, I realized I had to get out of my own way and ride downstream with the experience.”
Legacy and Impact
Forté’s musical legacy spans multiple genres and decades. His work with the Fugees helped define 1990s hip-hop and R&B. His solo albums showcased his evolution as an artist willing to explore new sounds and themes.
Beyond music, his story of redemption and second chances resonated with many. His journey from Grammy-nominated producer to federal prisoner to respected community member and working musician demonstrated the possibility of reinvention.
The musician’s death at 50 cuts short a career that was experiencing renewed creative energy. His 2021 album showed an artist comfortable in his skin and free from the self-doubt that had previously plagued him.
Community Reaction
Martha’s Vineyard, where Forté had made his home, is mourning one of its own. The island’s small size means personal losses reverberate throughout the community.
Fellow musicians and collaborators from his Fugees days have yet to publicly comment on his passing. The music industry has lost a versatile talent who bridged hip-hop, R&B, and classical music.
Forté’s story – from Brooklyn prodigy to Grammy-nominated producer to federal prisoner to redeemed artist – represents one of hip-hop’s most dramatic arcs. His death leaves unanswered questions about what music he might have created in the years ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- John Forté died at 50 in his Martha’s Vineyard home
- Found unresponsive by neighbor; no foul play suspected
- Co-wrote and produced on Fugees’ The Score at age 21
- Served 7 years in prison before presidential commutation
- Released final album Vessels, Angels & Ancestors in 2021
