Known from Fugees album: US musician John Forté dies

The artist, who is best known for his collaboration with the hip-hop band Fugees, was found dead on Monday at his home on the island of Martha's Vineyard in the US state of Massachusetts, US media reported, citing the Chilmark police. According to the local newspaper "MV Times", a neighbor discovered the lifeless Forté. There was no suspicion of foul play.

Forté was best known as co-producer of the celebrated Fugees album "The Score". He also sang on several solo tracks by band member Wyclef Jean. He has also released his own solo albums, most recently "Vessels, Angels & Ancestors" in 2021.

Sentenced to a long prison term

The New York native's life reached a dramatic turning point in July 2000 when he was arrested for possession and possible trafficking of cocaine at Newark Airport. He was later sentenced to 14 years in prison and, according to the MV Times, served time in a prison in Pennsylvania. He was released at the end of 2008 after the then US President George W. Bush shortened his sentence.

Forté, a fixture in the intimate Martha's Vineyard community for around ten years according to the local newspaper, leaves behind a wife and two children.