John Forté, Fugees and Wyclef Jean Collaborator, Dies at 50

Musician John Forté, celebrated for his collaborations with the iconic group Fugees and artist Wyclef Jean, has passed away at the age of 50. According to confirmation from the Chilmark Police Department in Massachusetts to Variety, officers responded to a call regarding an unresponsive man at approximately 2:25 p.m. yesterday. Forté, identified as the resident of the address, was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation has been transferred to the Massachusetts State Police-Cape and Islands Detective Unit, with authorities stating there are no initial indications of foul play and no immediately obvious cause of death.

Forté's legacy is deeply intertwined with a pivotal moment in hip-hop history. He made his mark contributing to the Fugees' seminal 1996 album "The Score," a record that fused hip-hop with soul and reggae influences and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 1997. His vocals and production work are featured on tracks like "Family Business" and "Cowboys," and he also contributed to Wyclef Jean's acclaimed solo debut, "The Carnival." Beyond these foundational guest spots, Forté maintained a solo career, releasing albums that included collaborations with artists ranging from rapper DMX to legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon. His most recent project was the 2021 album "Vessels, Angels & Ancestors."

His life journey was one of remarkable highs and profound challenges. A Brooklyn native who initially trained on violin, Forté transitioned to hip-hop and worked in A&R for the influential Rawkus Records—a label instrumental in the late-90s rise of "underground" hip-hop acts like Mos Def and Talib Kweli—before connecting with the Fugees. After his Jean-produced debut "Poly Sci" in 1998, his career was interrupted in 2000 when he was arrested at Newark International Airport on drug charges, leading to a 14-year sentence. He recorded his sophomore album, "I, John," featuring posthumous vocals from jazz great Dinah Washington and a duet with Carly Simon, while awaiting trial. In a significant turn, President George W. Bush commuted his sentence in 2008 after he served seven years.

Upon his release, Forté returned to New York City and diligently rebuilt his musical life, releasing projects like "Stylefree the EP" (2009) and "Water Light Sound" (2011). He later penned "Something to Lean On," the first official theme song for the Brooklyn Nets NBA franchise upon their move to Brooklyn in 2012. In recent years, he had been residing on Martha's Vineyard, an island community off the coast of Massachusetts, for about a decade after being introduced to it in the late '90s by musician Ben Taylor, son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. As one music historian noted, "Forté's story is a complex tapestry of immense talent, systemic injustice, redemption, and artistic perseverance that reflects broader narratives within the music industry."

At the time of his passing, Forté was actively engaged in new creative ventures. In a July 2024 interview with Martha's Vineyard Arts & Ideas, he revealed he was composing music for HBO's revival of the seminal civil rights documentary series "Eyes on the Prize" and was assembling a film about his own life. He also had plans to reunite with the Fugees for their anticipated late-2024 tour, a prospect that makes his sudden death a significant loss for the music community and fans awaiting the group's return.