John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician and producer finest identified for his work with the Fugees, has died on the age of fifty.
In accordance with the Related Press, Forté was discovered lifeless on Monday (January 12) in his dwelling in Chilmark, Massachusetts.
Native police stated there have been no indicators of foul play or a “readily obvious reason for demise.” The case is being investigated by the state health worker’s workplace.
Forté is survived by his spouse, photographer Lara Fuller, and two younger kids.
Because the Martha Winery Instances identified, the Refugee Camp All-Stars member suffered a “critical well being setback” final 12 months when he was hospitalized following a seizure. Since then, he had reportedly been taking seizure medicine.
A musical prodigy who grew up in New York Metropolis, John Forté acquired his begin within the trade within the Nineteen Nineties working as an A&R at Rawkus Information, quickly after which he met Lauryn Hill.
At simply 20 years previous, he co-wrote and produced a number of songs on the Fugees’ Grammy-winning 1996 debut The Rating — one of many best-selling rap albums of all time — and went on to contribute to Wyclef Jean‘s The Carnival.
Paying tribute to Forté on Instagram, Wyclef posted a video of them performing collectively and wrote: “This one hurts my brother @john_forte has joined the Angels legends by no means Die take a look at the smile R I P my Refugee brother.”
Forté additionally launched a string of solo initiatives, most notably his 1998 debut Poly Sci which boasted appearances from DMX, Fats Joe and Pras.
“John was greater than only a collaborator — he was household,” Pras wrote on his Instagram Story following information of Forté’s passing. “We got here up collectively in an period when hip-hop was about pushing boundaries, telling actual tales, and creating one thing that mattered. His expertise as a author, producer and artist was plain.
“Anybody who heard his work knew they have been within the presence of somebody particular. I’m glad I acquired to share the star with him one final time. The hip-hop group has misplaced an actual one. I’ve misplaced a brother. Relaxation in energy, John. Your music and your spirit dwell on.”
In 2000, Forté’s promising profession hit a roadblock when he was charged with possession of liquid cocaine and drug trafficking following his arrest at at Newark Worldwide Airport.
The musician was sentenced to 14 years in jail, however the sentence was commuted after seven years by President George W. Bush because of strain from high-profile figures like Carly Simon (who appeared on Forté’s second album I, John).
HipHopDX sends its condolences to John Forté’s household, pals and followers.
