Fugees Producer John Forte Pardoned by George W. Bush

Rapper and producer John Forte's original 14 year conviction of crack-cocaine possession with the intent to distribute was commuted by President George W. Bush on November 24, 2008. Forte was released from FCI Loretto, a federal prison located in Pennsylvania one month later at December 24, 2008. The rapper served 8 out of his 14 years at the minimal security facility. The riveting saga highlights the shadowy turmoil that festers beneath the glare of the bright light entertainment industry and the shortcomings of our criminal justice system and Nation at large.

John Forte is a relatively unknown artist whose minimal claim to fame is based upon the strength of his alliance with the critically acclaimed Fugees group. Forte produced and co-wrote two songs of the highly successful The Score 1996 album that helped usher the hip hop genre into the mainstream arena.

Lauryn Hill, Pras, and his Haitian cousin Wyclef Jean utilized the platform to telegraph conscientious messages fused with funk, rap, guitar riffs, and the captivating vocals of Ms. Hill. The diverse, groundbreaking musical selection laid the groundwork for the international stardom - political diplomacy of Wyclef and the startling boom and bust flameout of Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Forte lurked in the shadows.

His laid back persona and highly regarded work with the Fugees translated into two Poli Sci and I, John albums. Both efforts failed miserably as critics blasted the recordings as weak compositions - dooming the releases. Forte's 1998 debut Poli Sci sold a miserable 79,000 copies and Columbia dropped the rapper from its label. The happenings were absolutely devastating.

John Forte had been playing the part throughout. The smooth musician was a regular on the international party scene from Los Angeles to Paris. The dapper gentleman was known for living large and forging connections with notable socialites in high places. Ironically, the contradictory star persona challenged reality paralleling the deceptive life trajectory of this New York musician.

Hailing from the gritty streets of the crime riddled Brownsville section of Brooklyn - Forte was shipped up North - not to serve any prison sentence, but to study violin at New Hampshire's uber prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy boarding school. The intellectual later enrolled at New York University, dropped out, and rode a friendship with Lauryn Hill to quasi celebrity status.

Interestingly, this Renaissance man was flat broke.

Forte was unable to meet his $1,350 rent and various financial obligations. Evicted and his car repossessed, the broken artist took up residence at Carly Simon's Martha's Vineyard estate for six weeks in 1999. The producer had befriended the wealthy family through his Exeter connections.

Still the Big Apple called and Forte eventually returned to New York City seeking work as a nightclub disc jockey. The desperate performer was quickly approached with a different Midtown Manhattan job offer:

Middleman for Jamaican Drug Lord Chris Thompson.

John Forte was busted at Newark International Airport with thirty-one pounds of liquid cocaine carrying a street value worth $1.5 million on July 12, 2000. The DEA details 22 cell phone conversations between Thompson and Forte that day specifying that the "ice cream is put into the tub."

Forte has vehemently maintained his innocence ever since - arguing that "cream" is street talk identifying cash. The felled artist articulates the idea that he was under the impression that the bloated suitcases held in his possession were actually lined with greenbacks.

Carly Simon, as well as Utah Senator Orrin Hatch have aggressively proclaimed Forte's innocence from the beginnings of this drug-trafficking case. The powerful duo lobbied Bush for the artist's ultimate release, arguing that mandatory, minimum sentences unfairly punish the non-violent, innocent wrong time - wrong place by-standers of the Drug Trade. George W. Bush relented with the aforementioned pardon granted to John Forte.

The stampede of curious commuted sentences in the final days of the Bush presidency has further enraged critics of his regime. Onlookers are dubious in regards to the ability of the largely unpopular statesman to locate the requisite energy to release convicted felons amidst these times of sheer financial panic, overseas warfare, and divisive political wrangling. The Forte pardon also highlights the American "it's who you know phenomenon."

John Forte, the famous rapper is able to have his 14-year sentence reduced by Mr. President - while hardened, everyday criminals and assorted hard luck stories languish in the penitentiary to consume the full meal of the charge.