Rapper John Forte is realizing that sometimes the spotlight isn't the best place to be after he was arrested on charges of conspiring to distribute 31 pounds of cocaine last month. His employer, "You're So Vain" singer Carly Simon, has
rushed to his rescue by posting his $250,000 bail.
Forte has quite a reputation as a man behind the scenes. In the early '90s Forte met Lauryn Hill of the Fugees and helped produce the group's 1996 multi-platinum album The Score. The Fugees made Forte the first signing to their Refugee Camp imprint. He has since appeared on Wyclef Jean's 1998 solo, The Carnival, as well as Michael Jackson's remix album Blood on the Dance Floor.
But there are a few recordings that Forte may wish he wasn't on. Prosecutors told the New York Post that they have tapes on which Forte agrees to pick up cocaine from friends Marisa Laken and Angela Gegg at Newark (N.J.) Airport. He allegedly advised the duo to keep the "ice cream" cold. On July 13, the cops swooped down on Forte as he took two suitcases from the other defendants.
Simon has shown a great deal of support for her erstwhile vocalist, who toured as her backing singer and appears on her acclaimed new album, The Bedroom Tapes. Not only is Forte working with Simon and James Taylor's songwriting son, Ben, but both Simon and Ben attended the rapper's bail hearing on July 24.
Forte's bail actually came to $625,000, of which Simon posted a $250,000 bond. Forte's business manager came up with the additional $375,000, using his Manhattan apartment as collateral. Forte is now under house arrest and confined to his mother's New Jersey home.
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