I discovered this song while working retail in a past life. This song would play daily for a month on my store's monthly CD. I never knew who sang the song nor did I know who Carly Simon was at the time. I would learn years later that she's the God Mother of a good friend of mine John Forte.
My brother John Forte, out of jail and active. This video interview of him on Good Day New York is a nice piece in the larger puzzle of his rise back on the scene. The song he performs "Play My Cards For Me" is signature Forte since the I John album to me. Take a look and cop the Style Free EP off of iTunes.
I'm happy to see him happy and doing what he loves free of bars and regret.
Last week we did it up for my boy Shan Boogie at the local family bar Von's on Bleeker St. However before that I made a stop at SOBs to see my brother John Forte put it down. I walked into the spot with no problem (shouts to my boy Kozza). Once inside I saw Bizzare Royal on stage performing which let me know they were way behind schedule. I should have been walking in on a just starting Forte performance but there was another act to go still before he would take the stage. I was in for a treat because that next act Planet Ubiquity did the damn thing. If you get a chance I would recommend checking them out. Their style and sound is pretty dope plus they definitely had the crowd moving.
After that band rocked next up was my man John Forte'. While waiting for him to rock I ran into my brothers Blackman, El Divine and Ahsaan in the crowd. Before seeing them I was pretty much alone besides seeing my boy Jaleel from TV on the Radio. He told me that he too was heading over to celebrate Shan's birthday after the show.
Once Forte' got on he had the crowd in his hand. He did a bunch of new songs from his upcoming EP entitled "Style Free". He was at times joined on stage by his God brother Ben Taylor (who REALLY looks like his father James). Forte' isn't a "SANGER" singer but he can pull through some strong lyrics and a cool melody. I was just happy seeing an old friend free and doing what he loves after a hard lesson learned.
Following the show I rode with the boys over to pick up Shino and then on to Von's. Once inside I saw the homie Kareem and a couple of cats from work. Everyone was going downstairs to party for my boy Shan's birthday. On the lower level the vibe was extra cool. The music was blasting some vintage MJ with DJ Eli on the 1's and 2's and a gang of people on the dance floor. Lorraine and her crew were in the house plus I ran into Just, Tahleim and a gang of fam in general. I had such a good time but at 2 had to exit stage left. Work in the morning people...
Peep the photos by myself and Shino Yanagawa with my lil point shoot.
Planet Ubiquity MG Fam all day The Brothers Grimm feat. Black El Divine and Me Anthony and Kos Lorraine, Shino, Lisa & Yvette The Birthday Boy, Just and Me
I first learned of the brother John Forte' when he produced and featured on an old Brownsville rap record that never saw release. This was the era when I was seriously pursuing a rap career as a part of Population Clique reppin Brooklyn. Forte' was also from Brownsville but unlike the rest of us he was blessed to go to a private school out of the city. When For (as I call him) returned he was all about music. My personal relationship with the boy got strong when he was already in trouble awaiting trial for his fed drug case. I mean sure, I went to his album release for Poly Sci and we have family connections (my big bro Alyasha is his mentor/brother/friend), but this was different. For was working on his second album "I, John" while crafting commercial jingles to make doe. I would go and visit him in the studio to listen to joints and just talk. The boy was very uncertain about his future. When he was found guilty and hit with 14 years we all felt it. It's hard to believe it's been almost 8 years since he went in. Fast forward to Nov. 24th 2008 and I was hit with to quote the homie Young H "The greatest headline ever" George Bush has commuted the sentence of John Forte'. It felt like F*ck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin). I immediately got on the phone and started calling family spreading the good news. Everyone is excited and can't wait to see the young man back home. I'm sure my brother has learned some serious lessons being away from all he loves. I can't wait to talk with him about music, women, the world and just life. We've had other members of our family get sent away and some leave the planet never to be seen again. Alot can change in 8 years.
So, to the man who gave me the nick name "what a difference a Da' makes" I look forward to the day of our reunion and mutual smile. John Forte' is extended Mother Green fam, please make a note of it.
For those of you unfamiliar with my boy's work, peep game.
John Forte feat. Wyclef Jean - Ninety Nine (Flash The Message)
John Forte feat. Tricky - Trouble Again (from the I, John album)
Fugees feat. John Forte, ATCQ and Busta Rhymes - Rumble In The Jungle
