Beloved rapper, producer, and Refugee Camp All-Stars member leaves a lasting legacy in hip-hop and beyond
Chilmark, Massachusetts – January 13, 2026 The music world is mourning the loss of John Forté, the Grammy-nominated rapper, producer, and key creative force behind the Fugees’ groundbreaking 1996 album The Score. Forté was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on January 12, 2026. He was 50 years old.
Authorities have reported no signs of foul play, and the cause of death is under investigation by the Massachusetts state medical examiner’s office.
Born John Edward Forté on January 30, 1975, in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood to Haitian-American parents, Forté discovered music early, picking up the violin at age eight during a school instrument program. His classical training and street sensibility would later blend into a unique style that helped define the golden era of ’90s hip-hop.
A Defining Role with the Fugees
Forté joined the Refugee Camp All-Stars collective and became an essential contributor to the Fugees’ masterpiece The Score, which sold over 22 million copies worldwide and earned multiple Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. At just 21 years old, Forté received his first Grammy nod for co-writing and producing tracks like “Family Business” and “The Mask,” where his soulful samples, introspective lyrics, and innovative arrangements helped create the album’s timeless sound.
He also featured prominently on Wyclef Jean’s solo single “We Trying to Stay Alive” and contributed to “Rumble in the Jungle” for the When We Were Kings soundtrack alongside the Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest, and Busta Rhymes.
Solo Career and Resilience
In 1998, Forté released his debut solo album Poly Sci on Columbia Records, produced by Wyclef Jean. The project showcased his versatility as a rapper, singer, and producer, earning critical acclaim even as his career took unexpected turns.
Forté later faced significant personal challenges, including a high-profile federal conviction on drug-related charges. He served time but had his sentence commuted in 2008 after widespread advocacy from the music community and criminal justice reform groups. In his later years, he became a vocal advocate for prison reform, second chances, and restorative justice, often speaking publicly about redemption and systemic issues.
A Lasting Legacy
Forté is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two young children. Tributes have poured in from across the music industry and the Haitian diaspora, with collaborators, fans, and fellow artists remembering him as a brilliant, humble, and deeply creative force.
His work with the Fugees and beyond helped elevate Haitian-American voices in global hip-hop and proved that classical training, street wisdom, and cultural pride could coexist in powerful ways.
L’Union Suite extends heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the countless fans whose lives were touched by his music and spirit.
Rest in power, John Forté. Your sound will echo forever in the soul of Ayiti and the world.
