John Forté: Grammy-Nominated Musician Dies at 50, What Caused His Death?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - John Forté, a talented musician and producer who was nominated for a Grammy Award, was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the age of 50.

Forté was widely known for his close collaboration with the legendary hip-hop group the Fugees.

His work on the 1996 album "The Score" earned him a Grammy nomination at a relatively young age.

The exact cause of Forté's death has not yet been determined.

GRAMMY-nominated recording artist and producer John Forté has suddenly passed away. He was 50 years old. Forté was best known for being a member of the Refugee Camp All-Stars, alongside his work with Lauryn Hill and The Fugees on their 1996 album ‘The Score.’Forté passed in… pic.twitter.com/pvupe23cOs

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) January 13, 2026

As reported by AP News, Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin stated that there were no signs of foul play or an obvious cause of death at the scene.

The case has been referred to the Massachusetts State Police-Cape and Islands Detective Unit for further investigation by the State Medical Examiner's Office in Sandwich.

Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said in a statement that there were no signs of foul play or “readily apparent cause of death.”

The case is being investigated by the state medical examiner’s office, according to Slavin.

John Forté was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 30, 1975.

From an early age, he already shows musical talent, leading him to study violin and pursue further education at New York University, focusing on music business.

Forté's early career peaked when he collaborated with the Fugees by producing and writing two songs on their critically acclaimed album, "The Score," and featured on the songs "Cowboys" and "Family Business."

At the age of 21, these contributions earned him a Grammy nomination.

In addition to his work with the Fugees, Forté also had a prolific solo career by releasing several albums, including "Poly Sci" (1998), "I, John" (2002), "Stylefree the EP" (2009), "Water Light Sound" (2011), "Riddem Drive" (2020), and his latest album, "Vessels, Angels & Ancestors" (2021).

Forté also served as an executive at Rawkus Records in the early 1990s, a label that housed major artists such as Talib Kweli and Mos Def.

He also composed the Brooklyn Nets' national anthem, "Brooklyn: Something to Lean On," in 2012, and the theme song for the CBS News television documentary series "Brooklyn DA."

John Forté's life has not always been smooth.

In 2000, he faced serious legal trouble when he was arrested at Newark International Airport.

Forté was charged with possession of liquid cocaine and drug trafficking, a case that affect his career.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison but Forte was later released after serving seven years.

Forté's sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush in 2008, following strong advocacy from various parties, including musician Carly Simon.

Following the pardon, Forté returned to his music career and continued to contribute to the music world.

He is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, and two children.