Grammy-Nominated Musician John Forté Found Dead at 50 in Massachusetts Home
John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician, producer, and longtime collaborator of the influential hip-hop group the Fugees, was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Monday. He was 50 years old.
Chilmark Police responded in the afternoon after a neighbor discovered Forté unresponsive inside his residence on Martha’s Vineyard. Police Chief Sean Slavin confirmed there were no signs of foul play or an apparent cause of death, and the Massachusetts State Medical Examiner’s Office has taken over the official investigation.
A Life in Music
Forté, born January 30, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York, first made his mark on the music world as a gifted multi-instrumentalist and rapper. He rose to prominence in the mid-1990s contributing to the Fugees’ landmark album The Score (1996), which topped charts internationally and won multiple Grammy Awards. He also worked on Wyclef Jean’s Grammy-nominated solo project The Carnival, and released acclaimed solo albums including Poly Sci and I, John.
Throughout his career, Forté collaborated with a wide array of artists across hip-hop and beyond, including Talib Kweli, Carly Simon, Fat Joe, DMX, and others.
Triumphs and Trials
Despite his early success, Forté’s life included significant challenges. In 2000 he was arrested at Newark International Airport on drug-related charges and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. After extensive advocacy by figures including Carly Simon, his sentence was commuted in 2008 by President George W. Bush, allowing him to resume his musical career and focus on his family.
In recent years, Forté had also contributed to scoring films and documentary projects, including work on an HBO revival of the acclaimed Eyes on the Prize series.
Family and Legacy
Forté had lived on Martha’s Vineyard for more than a decade, where he was deeply rooted in the local arts community. He is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children. Friends, fellow musicians, and fans have poured out tributes on social media, mourning the loss of an artist whose creativity and warmth touched many.
Tributes from peers highlighted his influence beyond music production — remembering him as a generous creative spirit and mentor whose work helped shape the sound of hip-hop in the 1990s and beyond.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his sudden death. An official cause of death has not yet been released.