John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician and producer best known for his collaboration with The Fugees, has passed away at the age of 50. Police discovered Forté at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Monday afternoon. While the state medical examiner is investigating the specific cause of death, Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
A New York City native and musical prodigy, Forté played a pivotal role in the Fugees’ The Score and Wyclef Jean’s The Carnival. His solo career included albums such as Poly Sci and I John, often collaborating with artists like Carly Simon. His career was interrupted in 2000 by a drug trafficking conviction; however, his 14-year sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush after seven years, following advocacy from supporters including Simon. He is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children.