Overview:
John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician known for his work with the Fugees and Wyclef Jean, was found dead at his Massachusetts home at age 50. Police say there were no signs of foul play. In a statement to The Haitian Times, Pras Michel remembered Forté as family and a defining voice in hip-hop.
John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician known for his work with the Fugees and the Refugee Camp All-Stars, has died at age 50. He was found dead Monday afternoon in his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, according to police.
Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said in a statement that there were no signs of foul play or a “readily apparent cause of death.” The case is under investigation by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, according to Slavin.
A native of New York City, Forté was a musical prodigy who broke through in his early 20s as a contributor to the Fugees’ Grammy-winning album “The Score” and to Wyclef Jean’s Grammy-nominated “The Carnival.” A multi-instrumentalist, rapper and producer, Forté also released solo albums including “Poly Sci” and “I John,” with collaborators such as Carly Simon. Her son, Ben Taylor, was a close friend of Forté.
In 2000, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport and charged with possession of liquid cocaine and drug trafficking. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, but President George W. Bush commuted the sentence after seven years. Simon was among several public figures who advocated for his release.
In a statement sent to The Haitian Times, Fugees member Pras Michel remembered Forté as both an artist and a brother.
“John was more than just a collaborator. He was family,” Pras said. “We came up together in an era when hip-hop was about pushing boundaries, telling real stories and creating something that mattered. His talent as a writer, producer and artist was undeniable. Anyone who heard his work knew they were in the presence of someone special.”
Pras added, “The hip-hop community has lost a real one. I’ve lost a brother. Rest in power, John. Your music and your spirit live on.”
Survivors include Forté’s wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and two children.
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