Grammy-Nominated Musician and Fugees Collaborator, Found Dead at 50
Grammy-nominated producer John Forté, known for his work with the Fugees and Wyclef Jean, has died at the age of 50. According to The Associated Press, Forté was found at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Monday, January 12.
Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin told reporters that there were no signs of foul play or an obvious cause of death. The state medical examiner is currently investigating.
Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Forté showed musical talent early, earning a full scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy, where he studied violin. After graduating in 1993, he briefly attended New York University but left to work in A&R at Rawkus Entertainment. During that time, he met Lauryn Hill and became part of the Refugee Camp crew.
Forté is best remembered for producing tracks on the Fugees’ landmark album The Score and appearing on hits like “Family Business,” “Cowboys,” and “Fu-Gee-La.” At just 21, he earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the record and toured with the group. He also collaborated with Wyclef Jean on the rapper’s 1997 debut album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival, contributing to songs such as “Street Jeopardy” and “We Trying to Stay Alive.” Forté released his own debut solo album, Poly Sci, in 1998, produced by Jean.
Jean paid tribute to his longtime collaborator on social media, writing, “This one hurts my brother @john_forte has joined the Angels legends never Die look at the smile R I P my Refugee brother.”
Forté worked with many other artists over his career, including DMX and Carly Simon. His final album, Vessels, Angels & Ancestors, was released in 2021.
In 2000, Forté faced legal troubles when he was arrested at Newark International Airport carrying over $1.4 million in liquid cocaine. He was convicted on intent-to-distribute charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Speaking to Rolling Stone from federal prison in 2002, he reflected, “I allowed elements to be near me — not drugs but people. That’s what caught me up. I was too accessible. I was too here, I was too there. The price the government wants me to pay for that is fourteen years.”
Forté was eventually pardoned by President George W. Bush in 2008, thanks in part to support from Carly Simon, her son Ben Taylor, and then-Senator Orrin Hatch.
John Forté leaves behind a legacy as a talented musician and producer whose influence on hip-hop and popular music remains lasting. His story is one of both triumph and hardship, showing the highs and lows of life in the music industry.
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