Grammy-nominated musician John Forté has died at the age of 50.
Authorities say Forté was found dead Monday afternoon inside his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts. In a statement, Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no signs of foul play and no immediately apparent cause of death. The Massachusetts medical examiner’s office is continuing the investigation.
Born and raised in New York City, Forté was widely regarded as a musical prodigy who made his mark in his early 20s. He was a key contributor to Fugees’ Grammy-winning album The Score and also worked closely with Wyclef Jean on the Grammy-nominated The Carnival. Though often working behind the scenes, Forté’s influence on late-1990s hip-hop was widely respected.
A multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and producer, Forté later released solo projects including Poly Sci and I John. His work attracted an eclectic circle of collaborators, including Carly Simon, whose son Ben Taylor was a close friend of Forté’s.
His life also included a dramatic and well-documented legal chapter. 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 federal prison, a punishment many in the music industry later called excessive. After serving seven years, his sentence was commuted by George W. Bush, following widespread advocacy from artists, activists, and public figures.
Following his release, Forté returned to music and remained active creatively, while also speaking openly about incarceration and second chances.
He is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children.
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