John Edward Forté (January 30, 1975 – January 12, 2026) was an American rapper and record producer. He is best known for being a member of the musical collective Refugee Camp All-Stars, for his collaborations "We Trying to Stay Alive" (with Wyclef Jean) and "Rumble in the Jungle" (with the Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes), and for his production work on The Score (1996), which received critical acclaim and earned Forté a Grammy Award nomination. In 1998, he released his debut studio album, Poly Sci.

In 2000, he was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute; he was convicted and sentenced to the mandatory minimum 14 years after being found guilty. Forté received support from several notable figures, including Carly Simon, who became a close ally and helped advocate on his behalf during his legal defense. Forté's prison sentence was later commuted by President George W. Bush in 2008.

Early life and education

Forté was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, on January 30, 1975. He studied classical violin and especially enjoyed the work of Vivaldi. He won a scholarship to study violin at the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1993. However, Forté's musical journey began in his childhood prior to attending Phillips Exeter Academy. At the age of eight, while attending P.S. 327 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, he was faced with a choice during an instrument distribution day. Rather than wait in the long line for the more popular rock band instruments, he opted to enter the orchestra room, where he received a violin. He later described this moment as pivotal, noting that it profoundly influenced his path and gave him a sense of empowerment and belonging through music.

After high school, Forté returned to New York City, enrolling in NYU as a music business major, where he roomed with rapper Talib Kweli,

Career

Career beginnings and The Fugees

Forté began his professional music career when he was introduced to The Fugees by Lauryn Hill in the early 1990s. He co-wrote and produced several songs on their multi-platinum and Grammy-winning 1996 album, The Score. At 21 years of age, Forté was nominated for a Grammy for his work on the album. He went on to tour all over the world with The Fugees, and lent production and vocal performances to 1997's Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival.

He partnered with former Fugee member Pras for the Top 40 hit single, "Avenues", from the Money Talks soundtrack.

Forté released his debut solo album, Poly Sci in 1998, which was produced by Wyclef Jean. The album featured performances by Fat Joe, DMX, 20 Grand Pikasoe and Jeni Fujita, and exhibited the same intriguing mix of street and mainstream culture that helped The Fugees break new ground. It was met with critical acclaim but commercial disappointment, selling just under 100,000 copies, blamed in part on the fact that "the record's project manager quit Sony Music a week before the album was released, and Columbia Records put little cash behind its promotional tour." He was convicted and sentenced to the mandatory minimum 14 years after being found guilty, and incarcerated at FCI Loretto, a low-security federal prison in central Pennsylvania.

In 2001, Forté released the well-received I, John, which was recorded while awaiting trial for the drug offense. "Carly is a mentor to me, a guide, absolutely my spiritual godmother," Forté said.

With the help of Senator Orrin Hatch, Forté's prison sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush on November 24, 2008. He was released from prison four weeks later, on December 22, 2008.

Since leaving the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix on December 22, 2008, Forté recorded over 50 songs and played over 100 shows.

Forté also appeared on an episode of NY Ink January 2012.

He composed the theme song for the CBS News television documentary series Brooklyn DA.

He released Riddem Drive in 2020. His final album, Vessels, Angels & Ancestors, was released in October 2021.

Forté was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, on January 12, 2026. He was 50.

Discography

Albums

  • Poly Sci (1998)
  • I, John (2002)
  • Stylefree the EP (2009)
  • Water Light Sound (2011)
  • Riddem Drive (2020)
  • Vessels, Angels & Ancestors (2021)

References

  • Public Radio Show State of the Re:Union Speaks with John Forté