John Forté, a Grammy-nominated producer, rapper, and songwriter closely linked to the Fugees, has died at the age of 50. He was found unresponsive at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on January 12. Authorities said there were no signs of foul play, and the cause of death has not yet been released.
Forté was best known for his work on the Fugees’ 1996 album The Score, one of the most influential hip-hop records of the decade. His contributions as a producer and writer helped shape the group’s sound and earned him a Grammy nomination early in his career. Beyond that project, he released several solo albums and collaborated with a range of artists across hip-hop and folk-influenced music.
His career included major setbacks as well as a public comeback following a prison sentence in the early 2000s that was later commuted. In recent years, he remained active in music and community life.