Rapper John Forte is dead at 50 after blockbuster Fugees collaborations and years-long prison sentence

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John Forté, a rapper and producer who worked with the famous group Fugees, has passed away at the age of 50.

According to the Associated Press, actor Verne Forté passed away at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard, on Monday.

Okay, so the police chief, Sean Slavin, just put out a statement, and it’s… it’s killing me, honestly. They don’t know yet what happened to Forté. They’re saying there’s nothing to suggest anyone else was involved, which… I just need to hear it’s not true. But they haven’t figured out how it happened, and I’m just… waiting, hoping it’s not what I fear. It’s just… so unclear right now.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m deeply saddened to share that authorities are currently looking into the details surrounding the passing of Forté. The state medical examiner’s office is conducting a full investigation to understand what happened.

The performer’s career was interrupted in 2000 by a drug arrest. Before that, they were part of the Refugee Camp All-Stars, a group connected to the Fugees.

The Refugee Camp All-Stars worked with and also produced music for the Fugees, the popular group featuring Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel.

Forté later worked with Jean on the song ‘We Trying To Stay Alive,’ which was the first single released from Jean’s first solo album, ‘The Carnival’.

In 1997, Forté contributed to the Fugees song “Rumble In The Jungle,” which also included appearances by Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Called Quest.

Forté worked most significantly with the Fugees on their second and last album, The Score, released in 1996.

As a creative lifestyle expert, I’ve always admired artists who wear multiple hats! I recently learned that Forté wasn’t just a performer, but a real force behind the scenes too. He actually co-wrote and produced two fantastic tracks: ‘Family Business,’ where he also lent his incredible vocals, and ‘Cowboys.’ It’s inspiring to see someone so involved in every aspect of their work!

The album received rave reviews and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, as well as in many other countries worldwide.

The Recording Industry Association of America awarded it 7x Platinum certification, meaning it sold or was streamed over seven million times.

Forté was recognized with a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year as part of The Score, but they didn’t win the award.

The multi-instrumentalist released his debut studio album Poly Sci in 1998.

In 2000, his career took a major hit when he was arrested and charged with drug offenses, including possessing cocaine with the intention to sell it and conspiring to distribute drugs.

Forté was arrested at Newark Airport with what authorities say was $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine hidden in a briefcase.

He was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison, the mandatory minimum. 

While waiting to learn his punishment, Forté worked on his second album, ‘I, John.’ The album included a song performed with Carly Simon and a contribution from jazz legend Herbie Hancock.

The album was released in 2002 and received stronger reviews than his debut.

After working with Forté, we became really close – she’s just incredible. And honestly, she became such a champion for me, fighting tooth and nail for my freedom. She really tried to get my harsh drug sentence changed, you know, to get it overturned. She wouldn’t give up on me, and it meant the world.

Oh my gosh, Senator Hatch—may he rest in peace—was everything to Forté! He was the one who actually talked President Bush into commuting Forté’s sentence back in November 2008. I mean, without Senator Hatch, who knows what would have happened? He was a true champion!

After his release, Forté released several more albums in the 2010s and early 2020s. 

His most recent LP was 2021’s Vessels, Angels & Ancestors. 

As a lifestyle expert, I always appreciate when music really captures a vibe – and this is a great example! Back in 2012, musician Forte created a song called “Brooklyn: Something To Lean On.” It was such a perfect fit for the energy of the newly rebranded Brooklyn Nets that they adopted it as their official anthem for their very first season!

In 2015, Forté met his wife, the photographer Lara Fuller, on Martha’s Vineyard, according to TMZ. 

He is survived by her and their two children, a daughter named Wren and a son named Haile. 

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2026-01-14 06:49