7/10/2009

in

After years of being incarcerated, Forte comes back into the hip-hop scene as a different man and plans to release his new EP online.

Wiley Taylor

John Forte, singer/songwriter and producer, has chosen to remember his July 14, 2000 arrest by releasing his first collection of new music in nearly eight years on the anniversary of that date.  
  
Forte's new material, "StyleFREE the EP," will be available for purchase and streaming exclusively on JohnForte.com on the same date he was arrested on drug possession and conspiracy charges.  
  
During his rise to fame by emerging as a member of the Refugees Crew, producing, co-writing and appearing on the Fugees' multi-platinum sophomore album, "The Score," Forte landed a solo deal at Colombia Records. He released his debut album, "PolySci," in 1998, but only sold 79,000 copies, causing Forte to be dropped from the record label.  
  
According to Rolling Stone's article in August 2002, Forte developed a lavish lifestyle that he was unable to sustain, leading him into the drug trade. According to Allhiphop.com, Forte met Chris Thompson, who he allegedly assisted by recruiting and overseeing drug couriers, at a weekly DJ gig in Manhattan in 2000.  
  
On July 12 of that same year, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents arrested two young women in Harlingen, Tex. after discovering within their suitcases, $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. Exactly two days later, DEA agents arrested Forte in New York after he took possession of the suitcases.  
  
For years, he has publicly stated that he was under the impression that he was helping Thompson transport money, not drugs. Fortunately, through the efforts of Carly Simon, a close friend of Forte's who even put up $250,000 of his $650,000 bond, and her son, Ben Taylor, Forte gained pardon from former President Bush in late 2008.  
  
After coming home, Forte released three singles online, embarked on a life of activism and teaching, and joined the Harlem-based "In Arms Reach" organization, which supports children of incarcerated parents.  
  
According to online news sources, Forte said that "StyleFREE the EP" captures all the varied experiences Forte has undergone in the last few years and will contain only 7 tracks.