“Rest in peace, sweet King”wrote Lauryn Hill to her friend and Fugees collaborator John Forté, following the announcement of his death.
Ms. Lauryn Hill paid tribute to John Forté following the announcement of the death of the artist, songwriter and Fugees collaborator, on Monday at the age of 50.
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Hill went on to reminisce about how their generation of Hip-hop was young and “at the dawn of his epic rise”. She shared how the 90s were “a time of excitement and possibility” for them as they navigated the environment and streets of New York.
A gentleman and a scholar
As an aspiring rapper himself, Forté joined the Refugee Camp All-Stars after meeting Wyclef and Pras. He eventually became known for producing songs on the Fugees' 1996 classic, The Scoreand featured on “Cowboys,” “Family Business,” and the notable bonus single, “Fu-Gee-La.”
A surreal loss
The Grammy-winning artist recalled how Forté made an appearance during the Newark stop of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 2023. “I hadn't seen John in years before the last Mised-Fugees tour, but he came on stage like we'd never been apart”
Hill joins the host of fans, musicians and other personalities who have honored Forté following his death. Fellow Fugees member Wyclef Jean mourned his friend with an Instagram post showing video of them on stage. “This one hurts, my brother @john_forte joined the Angels”he wrote. “Legends never die, look at that smile. RIP my brother Refugee. »
