After being sentenced to fourteen years in jail for possession of thirty-one pounds of liquid cocaine with the intent to distribute, John Forte refuses to give up his rap career. Although he does not have use of a telephone to be interviewed he continues to talk to the media through letters. John’s latest album “I, John” was released this past April without any promotion or fan fare. As an ex-fugee member John has seen the highs and lows of the hip- hop world. “Spiritually, I’ve never been more free in my life,” John wrote in a letter from prison. “I am comfortable in my skin … and I have seen glimpses of life beyond these walls. One’s ‘state of mind’ can be equivalent to one’s ‘state of grace.’ My journey does not end here.”
“I, John” although not making record sales anywhere near his previous album “Polysci”, has been said to be some of his best work to date. Despite being sentenced, John has been trying to maintain the album’s feel while he remains in prison. “I am a man of faith and hope,” John wrote. “Instead of reclining in misery, I choose to celebrate my blessings. I have so much to be grateful for and I refuse to lose sight of that.” In his spare time John likes to writes poems, songs and maintains daily journal entries and letters as he waits on his appeal process, slated to begin in June.
