Ep. 629 – In Memory Of John Forté: A Conversation On The Spirit Of Music

This week, we pause to remember the life, presence, and artistry of a friend of the show who will be deeply missed.

Recorded in 2021, this conversation features Grammy-winning artist John Forté in his first appearance on the podcast. John and Raghu talk about the spirit of music, the highs and lows of success, and John’s experience headlining the Ram Dass Soul Land Music Series.

John Forté (January 30, 1975 – January 12, 2026) is survived by his wife and two children. If you’d like to offer support, a donation link is available here: Honoring John Forte by Supporting His Family

This special episode features an inspired conversation on:

• Community as the spirit of music: John Forté’s Brooklyn upbringing in the economic downturns of the 70s and 80s
• The emotional, mental, and physical hardships of struggling to get by in an underserved community
• Perseverance through love: John’s inspiration for his musical career
• John’s highest highs, lowest lows, & what it is like to start over 
• John’s friendship with the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill, linking up with The Fugees, and their co-creation of a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum record, The Score
• John's stint in prison, where in his cell, his refuge and musical rebirth came in the form of an acoustic guitar
• Music as internal alchemy and Ram Dass’s influence on John’s song Gong Guru from his album Riddem Drive
• Venturing further into spirituality: John’s deep affinity for wisdom teachers like Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, Alan Watts, and Abraham Hicks

Listen to John’s other visit to the Mindrolling Podcast on Ep. 405 and a conversation about resonance, integration & catharsis on this special Ram Dass Fellowship with host, Jackie Dobriska, available on Ep. 124 of the Be Here Now Network Guest Podcast.

About John Forté:

John Forté is a Grammy-winning recording artist best known for his work with the hip-hop group, The Fugees, writing and producing songs on their multi-platinum record The Score. After a stint in prison while riding the volatile waves of success and failure, John coupled his refuge of music with messages of wisdom and love from inspirational spiritual teachers. Listen to John’s album Riddem Drive, and don’t miss him on the Soul Land Music Series: Songs & Stories Inspired by Ram Dass.

“My journey with music has been the relationship of having it, experiencing it, seeing it morph and take on different colors and shapes. It showed me from a very early age that collaboration was going to be the key for the source of my continued inspiration—working with others, finding that harmony—that’s the spirit of it. The spirit of music is community, it’s communication, it’s air itself.” –John Forté

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