Grammy-Nominated Singer-Producer John Forté Dead At 50

John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician best known for his work with The Fugees, has died. He was 50.

Forté died Monday at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard, according to local authorities. Police said there were no signs of foul play, and his cause of death has not yet been determined.

Following news of his passing, tributes began circulating across the hip-hop community. Though he often stayed out of the spotlight, Forté’s impact ran deep. He helped shape The Score, one of the most influential rap albums of the 1990s.

Released in 1996, The Score became a defining cultural moment. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and cemented The Fugees’ place in music history. Forté appeared on two tracks, “Cowboys” and “Family Business,” where his thoughtful delivery added emotional weight and lyrical complexity.

Fugees Collaborator John Forté Passed Away In Massachusetts

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Forté showed early artistic promise. He studied violin as a child and later attended the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy. He went on to enroll at New York University before committing fully to music.

Hip-hop became his primary outlet for expression. Forté blended classical training with introspective storytelling, creating a style marked by depth and restraint. His approach resonated with artists and listeners who valued substance over spectacle.

Forté’s life also included public struggles that pulled him away from the industry for years. Despite that absence, his creative spirit endured. Music remained a constant thread throughout his life.

In 2015, Forté met Lara Fuller while living on Martha’s Vineyard. The couple later married and welcomed two children, a daughter, Wren, and a son, Haile. Friends described him as a devoted partner and father.

In recent years, Forté embraced a quieter life centered on family and creativity. His story of resilience and reinvention continues to resonate. While his death marks a loss for hip-hop, his music and legacy remain, inspiring new listeners and longtime fans alike.