Award-Profitable Musician Discovered Lifeless At 50
John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician who helped shape the sound of the Fugees and the Refugee Camp All-Stars, has died at 50.
Forté was found dead Monday afternoon inside his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, police said.
Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no signs of foul play or a “readily apparent cause of death.” The case has been turned over to the state medical examiner’s office.
A New York City native, Forté was a musical prodigy who broke out in his early 20s as a key contributor to the Fugees’ Grammy-winning album “The Score” and Wyclef Jean’s Grammy-nominated “The Carnival.”
A multi-instrumentalist and rapper, he later released solo projects including “Poly Sci” and “I John,” collaborating with artists 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 after serving seven years, his sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush following a high-profile push for clemency that included support from Simon.
Tributes poured in from fans and fellow musicians following news of his death.
Forté is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children.
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