British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield has spoken of her profound shock and heartache following the sudden death of her friend, the rapper and producer John Forte.
A Friendship Forged in Music
Forte, best known for his collaborations with the legendary hip-hop group the Fugees, died at the age of 50 on Monday at his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts. The cause of death is not yet known, with the medical examiner’s office investigating, though police have stated there is no apparent evidence of foul play.
Bedingfield, 44, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, describing the news as having "hit heavy like a gut punch." She shared a series of nostalgic photographs capturing their friendship over the years, including images from events and pictures of Forte's children.
"I am so in shock about losing my friend this Monday," Bedingfield wrote. "We were overdue for a catch up." She recounted how they met years ago at the Sundance Film Festival and became immediate friends after he asked to borrow her guitar to sing.
Unfinished Conversations and Unreleased Music
The Unwritten singer revealed the depth of their creative partnership, disclosing that they had made music together which was never released. "Thinking of all the unfinished conversations and dreams we had... Our families hanging out together… We had music we never put out," she wrote.
Bedingfield also credited Forte with introducing her to a vibrant creative community on Martha's Vineyard, mentioning friends like musicians Carly Simon and Ben Taylor. Her tribute poignantly reflected on the fragility of life, stating, "It hits heavy with a gut punch that life really is that utterly fleeting."
She expressed her difficulty in accepting the loss, writing, "John is so loved. He is a bright light … I’m not ready to say 'was' yet."
Legacy and Support for His Family
John Forte was a key figure in the music scene of the 1990s. As a member of the Refugee Camp All-Stars collective, he worked closely with the Fugees—Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel. His most notable contributions were on the group's multi-platinum 1996 album The Score, where he was a writer and producer on the tracks Family Business and Cowboys. The album was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year.
Forte is survived by his wife, photographer Lara Fuller, whom he met on Martha's Vineyard in 2015, and their two young children: an eight-year-old daughter, Wren, and a five-year-old son, Haile.
In her post, Natasha Bedingfield shared a link to a GoFundMe campaign set up to support Forte's family. The fundraiser, which describes Forte as "a vital, luminous soul," aims to cover living expenses for the children and funeral costs. It has already seen significant support, raising over $86,000. Notable donations include $10,000 from comedian Amy Schumer, with Bedingfield and country singer Chris Young each contributing $1,000.
The music world is now mourning the loss of a talented artist, remembered by friends like Bedingfield for his creativity, warmth, and the bright light he brought into their lives.
