CHILMARK, MA] 14-01-2026] The music world is mourning today due to the loss of famous and multi talented John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician, producer, and songwriter best known for his remarkable work with hip-hop icons The Fugees. Forté was found dead on Monday, January 12, 2026, at his home on Martha’s Vineyard. He was 50 years old.
Discovery and cause of his Death
According to the Chilmark Police Department, officers responded to a call at Forté’s residence at approximately 2:25 p.m. after a neighbor discovered him unresponsive lying on his kitchen floor. Emergency responders found him dead at the scene.
Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin mentioned that there were no signs of foul play and no readily apparent cause of death. The case has been referred to the Massachusetts State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death. Family friends noted that Forté had been managing a seizure condition since a major health issues roughly a year ago, though it is not yet confirmed if this have contributed to his death.
A Musical Prodigy and Global Success
Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Forté was a classically trained violinist who attended the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy before making his mark into the music industry. He rose to international fame in the mid-1990s as a prime member of the Refugee Camp collective.
At just 21 years old, he earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year for his extensive writing and production work on The Fugees’ 1996 multi-platinum masterpiece, “The Score”. His contributions to tracks like “Cowboys” and “Family Business” helped to imprint that era’s sound. He also collaborated on Wyclef Jean’s debut solo album, “The Carnival”, and released his own solo projects, including “Poly Sci” (1998) and “I, John” (2002).
Redemption and Advocacy
Forté’s career took a dramatic turn in 2000 when he was arrested at Newark International Airport with drug trafficking charges. He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, a case that drew national attention and sparked a high-profile advocacy campaign for his release.
Longtime friend and legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon was a main supporter during his comeback in the Industry. In 2008, President George W. Bush reduced Forté’s sentence, by allowing him to return to his music and family after serving seven years. Following his release, Forté became a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform, using his platform to speak on support and rehab.
Life on the Vineyard
In recent years, Forté lived a quiet, creative life in Chilmark with his family. He remained active in the local arts community, collaborating on documentary scores and performing shows with local musicians like Ben Taylor.
He is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and their two young children, Haile and Wren.
As the news of his death spread’s, tributes poured from the hip-hop community. Wyclef Jean shared a heartfelt message on social media, writing, “This one hurts… my Refugee brother has joined the Angels. “Legends never die”
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