Lauryn Hill Remembers John Forté as Tributes Pour In Following His Death at 50
Lauryn Hill has shared a heartfelt tribute to John Forté, the artist, songwriter, and longtime collaborator who died Monday at the age of 50. Hill’s statement reflects both personal grief and a broader sense of loss felt across the hip-hop community that came of age alongside Forté in the 1990s.
In a message posted to Instagram, Hill recalled her early friendship with Forté, noting that while she can’t pinpoint the exact moment they met, their bond formed quickly. She wrote of walking the streets of New York City together, immersed in the curiosity and ambition of youth, and remembered meeting Forté’s mother and spending time with his family. The tone of her tribute was intimate and reflective, rooted in shared history rather than public mythology.
Hill framed Forté as part of a generation that witnessed hip-hop’s rapid ascent from a local movement to a global force. She described the 1990s as a period of possibility, when artists were still discovering how far the culture could stretch. In that context, she remembered Forté as someone who moved easily between worlds and whose writing reflected a rare balance of intellect, sensitivity, and street awareness.
Forté’s contributions to hip-hop were substantial, even if he often remained just outside the spotlight. After connecting with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel, he became part of the Refugee Camp collective and played a key role in the creation of the Fugees’ landmark 1996 album, The Score. He contributed verses and production to tracks including “Cowboys,” “Family Business,” and the bonus single “Fu-Gee-La,” helping shape the sound of a record that would go on to define an era.
Hill reflected on that period with particular fondness, recalling a summer when Forté, along with friends and collaborators, seemed to be everywhere in New York, immersed in music, fashion, and the possibilities of creative expression. She described those months as formative, a time when the group was focused less on fame and more on finding authentic ways to articulate their perspectives within a rapidly evolving musical landscape.
Years later, Forté briefly reentered that shared space when he joined Hill onstage during the 2023 Miseducation of Lauryn Hill anniversary tour. Hill noted that despite the passage of time, his presence felt natural and unforced, as if little had changed since their earlier collaborations. She added that they had been in touch only weeks before his death, making the loss feel sudden and deeply unsettling.
“This loss is unexpected and surreal,” Hill wrote, extending her condolences to Forté’s wife, children, family, and close friends. Her message emphasized not only her personal grief but also the collective sense of absence left behind by someone who had quietly influenced many lives.
Other members of the hip-hop community echoed those sentiments. Wyclef Jean shared his own tribute on social media, posting footage of Forté performing and describing him as a brother whose legacy would endure. Fans and fellow musicians similarly offered remembrances, highlighting Forté’s warmth, talent, and understated impact.
Though he never achieved the same level of mainstream recognition as some of his peers, John Forté’s role in shaping one of hip-hop’s most influential moments remains significant.
