Update: Kindhearted people donated over $58,000 for the family of the late musician John Forté who died suddenly at age 50.
The Grammy-nominated rap producer was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, on Monday, January 12.
A neighbor found Forté unresponsive on his kitchen floor and called 911.
Proceeds from the fundraiser, organized by Amber Knowles, will benefit Forté’s wife, freelance photographer Lara Fuller, and their 2 children.
The description reads in part:
“We are organizing this fundraiser to help support John’s children and Lara as they move through this incredibly difficult period. The funds raised will go directly toward the children’s living expenses and care, as well as the unforeseen costs associated with John’s funeral.
If you are able, please consider donating or sharing this fundraiser. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference for this family. Thank you for helping honor John’s memory by supporting the people he loved most.”
Police confirmed no foul play is suspected in Forté’s sudden death.
Tributes poured in on social media from artists he collaborated with including the Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Refugee Camp All-Stars, and more.
Forté was born in Brooklyn, New York City on January 30, 1975. He grew up in a privileged home with financial stability. He studied violin and classical music at the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy, a college prep school in New Hampshire.
After graduating in 1993, Forté returned to New York City, where he roomed with rapper Talib Kweli after enrolling in NYU as a music business major.
His big break came 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.
He was nominated for a Grammy for his work on the album. He went on to tour with The Fugees, and contributed vocals to Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival in 1997.
Forté released his debut solo album, Poly Sci, which was produced by Wyclef Jean in 1998.
In 2000, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport on drug possession and trafficking charges. He was sentenced to 14 years at FCI Loretto, a low-security federal prison in central Pennsylvania.
Forté’s privileged education at Exeter enabled him to meet legendary singer Carly Simon and her son Ben Taylor. They met through Taylor’s cousin, who was a classmate of Forté’s at Exeter.
Carly and Ben advocated for Forté and fought for an appeal of the mandatory minimum drug laws that put him in prison.
Forté said Carly Simon was “my champion, my crusader, my mentor, my friend, my spiritual godmother.”
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 on December 22, 2008.
Forté began teaching music at the City College of New York in 2009.
He went on to release more albums and collaborate with musicians. In 2012, he composed an anthem for the Brooklyn Nets, entitled “Brooklyn: Something to Lean On”.
He also appeared on an episode of “NY Ink” on January 2012, and composed the theme song for the CBS News television documentary series “Brooklyn DA.”
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