American musician and producer John Forté was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Monday, January 12. He was 50.
Chilmark Police told Variety that there were no signs of foul play, and the case has been referred to the state medical examiner.
Forté rose to fame in the 1990s as part of the Refugee Camp All-Stars and for his work with the Fugees. He contributed to hits like We Trying to Stay Alive and Rumble in the Jungle, and played a key role in the Fugees’ 1996 album The Score, earning a Grammy nomination at just 21.
Wyclef Jean shared a video of them performing Ready or Not on Instagram, writing:
“This one hurts my brother @john_forte has joined the Angels. Legends never die. Look at the smile. R.I.P. my Refugee brother.”
Forté also released solo albums including Poly Sci (1998) and I, John (2001). He served time in prison for drug-related charges in 2000 but was released early after President George W. Bush commuted his sentence.
He lived on Martha’s Vineyard with his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children. His last album, Vessels, Angels & Ancestors, came out in 2021.