JOHN FORTE, KEY VOICE BEHIND THE FUGEES’ SOUND, HAS PASSED AWAY AT 50

Hip-hop lost a powerful and complicated voice.

John Forte, best known for his deep creative ties to The Fugees, has passed away.

Though born and raised in Brooklyn, Forte’s legacy is forever connected to the Fugees — the iconic group rooted in New Jersey that reshaped hip-hop in the 1990s. As a close collaborator to Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, Forte helped shape a sound and era that still echoes across generations.

More than music, his life reflected redemption, reflection, and resilience — a reminder that stories in hip-hop are rarely simple, but always human.

🕊️ Rest in peace, John Forte.
Your name remains part of Jersey-connected hip-hop history.