John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician best known for his work with the Fugees and the Refugee Camp All-Stars, has died at the age of 50.
Forté was found dead on Monday afternoon at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, according to local police. Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no signs of foul play or any “readily apparent cause of death.” The case is currently under investigation by the Massachusetts medical examiner’s office.

A native of New York City, Forté rose to prominence in his early 20s as a key contributor to the Fugees’ Grammy-winning album The Score, as well as Wyclef Jean’s Grammy-nominated The Carnival. A gifted multi-instrumentalist and rapper, he later released several solo projects, including Poly Sci and I John, collaborating with artists such as Carly Simon. Forté was also a close friend of Simon’s son, Ben Taylor.
In 2000, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison. After serving seven years, his sentence was commuted by former U.S. President George W. Bush following advocacy from several public figures, including Carly Simon.

He is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children.
Tributes from fans and fellow artists continue to pour in, celebrating his musical legacy and impact on hip-hop culture.