Fugees collaborator and rapper John Forté has died aged 50

Fugees collaborator and award-winning rapper John Forté has died at the age of 50, Massachusetts police have confirmed.

The artist was found dead at his home in Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard on January 12, Police Chief Sean Slavin told AP. He noted that there were no signs of foul play.

Slavin also told AP that there was not a “readily apparent cause of death”, meaning it is now being investigated by the state medical examiner’s office.

John Forté was born in New York City, where he first got his start in music after being introduced to Lauryn Hill, and collaborated with the Fugees on their hit 1996 album ‘The Score’.

The record went on to go multi-platinum and won a GRAMMY award, with Forté also nominated for the prestigious award at the age of just 21 for his production and writing work on the album.

Forté continued to work and tour with the Fugees, and also worked across Fugees member Wyclef Jean’s 1997 album ‘The Carnival’ while collaborating with the likes of Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, and Carly Simon.

Through his career, Forté also released several solo projects, including his 1998 debut album ‘Poly Sci’, and his follow-up 2002 record ‘I, John’.

Speaking in a tribute on Instagram yesterday (January 13), Wyclef Jean wrote: “This one hurts – my brother John Forte has joined the angels. Legends never die, look at the smile – RIP my Refugee brother.”

Founding Fugees member Pras Michel, who was recently sentenced for his role in money laundering and campaign finance violation crimes, also paid tribute, writing in a statement provided to Mixmag: “John was more than just a collaborator. He was family.”

“We came up together in an era when hip hop was about pushing boundaries, telling real stories, and creating something that mattered. His talent as a writer, producer, and artist was undeniable,” he wrote.

“Anyone who heard his work knew they were in the presence of someone special. I’m glad I got to share the star with him one last time. The hip hop community has lost a real one. I've lost a brother. Rest in power, John. Your music and your spirit live on.”

Read some tributes below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter