{"id":216473,"date":"2026-01-13T22:13:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T22:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/13\/john-forte-cause-of-death-musician-fugees-collaborator-was-50\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T22:13:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T22:13:50","slug":"john-forte-cause-of-death-musician-fugees-collaborator-was-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/13\/john-forte-cause-of-death-musician-fugees-collaborator-was-50\/","title":{"rendered":"John Fort\u00e9 Cause of Death: Musician, Fugees Collaborator Was 50"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>We have tragic news to report from the world of music today:<\/p>\n<p>John Fort\u00e9 \u2014 the musician who was best known for his collaborations with hip hop icons <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2025\/11\/pras-michel-fugees-star-sentenced-to-14-years-in-prison-for-funneling-millions-to-barack-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Fugees<\/a> \u2014 has passed away.<\/p>\n<p>He was just 50 years old.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><\/noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"John Fort\u00c3\u00a9 attends &quot;Kerouac's Road: The Beat Of A Nation&quot; Premiere - 2025 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 05, 2025 in New York City. \" class=\"wp-image-545316 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218836733-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">John Fort\u00c3\u00a9 attends \u201cKerouac\u2019s Road: The Beat Of A Nation\u201d Premiere \u2013 2025 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 05, 2025 in New York City. <span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Theo Wargo\/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>News of Fort\u00e9\u2019s passing comes courtesy of a statement from police in Chilmark, Massachusetts, who note that he was found dead inside his home.<\/p>\n<p>Police say there was no sign of foul play, nor was there any \u201creadily apparent\u201d cause of death (per <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/john-forte-dead-50-fugees-b635af53beab0f6b3301412fb8e54dd1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Associated Press<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>According to Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin, a full investigation will be conducted by the state medical examiner\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<p>An accomplished and highly acclaimed musician, Fort\u00e9 is likely best remembered for his contributions to the classic 1996 Fugees album<em> The Score<\/em>, which won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"715\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-715x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Musician John Forte poses backstage at the Nanette Lepore fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014 at The Stage at Lincoln Center on September 11, 2013 in New York City.  \" class=\"wp-image-545317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-715x1024.jpg 715w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-209x300.jpg 209w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-768x1100.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-1429x2048.jpg 1429w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-670x960.jpg 670w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-754x1080.jpg 754w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-838x1200.jpg 838w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-scaled.jpg 1787w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"715\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-715x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Musician John Forte poses backstage at the Nanette Lepore fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014 at The Stage at Lincoln Center on September 11, 2013 in New York City.  \" class=\"wp-image-545317 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-715x1024.jpg 715w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-209x300.jpg 209w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-768x1100.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-1429x2048.jpg 1429w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-670x960.jpg 670w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-754x1080.jpg 754w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-838x1200.jpg 838w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-scaled.jpg 1787w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-180312105-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Musician John Forte poses backstage at the Nanette Lepore fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014 at The Stage at Lincoln Center on September 11, 2013 in New York City.  <span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Stephen Lovekin\/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In addition to writing and producing several songs, John provided vocals on two tracks, \u201cFamily Business\u201d and \u201cCowboys.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fort\u00e9 went on to make major contributions to Wyclef Jean\u2019s Grammy-nominated album <em>The Carnival<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>He released two solo albums \u2014 <em>Poly Sci <\/em>and<em> I, John<\/em> \u2014 as a multi-instrumentalist and rapper.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to his work with the Fugees, Fort\u00e9 frequently collaborated with Ben Taylor, the son of music legend Carly Simon.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"778\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-778x1024.jpg\" alt=\"John Fort\u00c3\u00a9 attends Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation World Premiere at Tribeca Festival on June 05, 2025 in New York City. \" class=\"wp-image-545315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-778x1024.jpg 778w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-768x1011.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-1556x2048.jpg 1556w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-730x960.jpg 730w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-821x1080.jpg 821w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-912x1200.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-scaled.jpg 1946w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"778\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-778x1024.jpg\" alt=\"John Fort\u00c3\u00a9 attends Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation World Premiere at Tribeca Festival on June 05, 2025 in New York City. \" class=\"wp-image-545315 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-778x1024.jpg 778w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-768x1011.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-1556x2048.jpg 1556w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-730x960.jpg 730w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-821x1080.jpg 821w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-912x1200.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-scaled.jpg 1946w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2218841287-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">John Fort\u00c3\u00a9 attends Kerouac\u2019s Road: The Beat of a Nation World Premiere at Tribeca Festival on June 05, 2025 in New York City. <span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Jamie McCarthy\/Getty Images for NBC Universal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When Fort\u00e9 was arrested at Newark Airport in 2000 and charged with drug trafficking and intent to distribute, Simon was one of many high-profile figures who advocated for his release.<\/p>\n<p>He was eventually sentenced to 14 years in prison, but his sentence was commuted in 2007 by President George W. Bush.<\/p>\n<p>News of Fort\u00e9\u2019s passing made him an instant trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), where numerous hip hop fans used terms like <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cheo_coker\/status\/2011156277804835149\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cunderappreciated genius\u201d<\/a> to describe him.<\/p>\n<p>Fort\u00e9 is survived by his wife, the photographer Lara Fuller, and their two children.<\/p>\n<p>Our condolences go out to his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.<\/p>\n<p>We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2026\/01\/john-forte-cause-of-death-musician-fugees-collaborator-was-50\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reading Time: 2 minutes We have tragic news to report from the world of music today: John Fort\u00e9 \u2014 the musician who was best known for his collaborations with hip hop icons the Fugees \u2014 has passed away. He was just 50 years old. John Fort\u00c3\u00a9 attends \u201cKerouac\u2019s Road: The Beat Of A Nation\u201d Premiere [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":216474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-216473","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hollywood"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216473"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216473\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/216474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}