John Forte Brings Rhymes From Brooklyn to Russia

John Forte has taken his brand of "organic" rhymes overseas to Russia. The Grammy-nominated entertainer embarked on a nine-week journey, which began in February and ended Sunday (April 24), performing and collaborating with some of Russia's top tier talents as well as joining classical orchestras.

Dubbed From Brooklyn to Russia With Love!, the tour saw Forte traveling to such Russian cities as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Ekaterinburg as well as cities along the Trans-Siberia Railway in Siberia. The rapper teamed with friend and former Exeter classmate Christophe Charlier to make the musical effort possible. Charlier serves as Deputy CEO of Onexim Group and Chairman of the Board of the New Jersey Nets, and has also lived and worked in Moscow for the last 13 years.

The final concert in Moscow drew thousands of eager listeners and some special guests including Natasha Bedingfield, who performed with Forte, and Petra Nemcova, who was on hand with Happy Hearts, a non-profit foundation she founded in an effort to improve children's lives through educational and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas.

The former Fugees producer -- he co-produced 'Family Business' and 'Cowboys' off their second album 'The Score' -- was pardoned by former President George W. Bush in 2008, from a 14-year prison sentence. Forte was jailed on charges related to a drug arrest in 2000, where he was found guilty for carrying $1.4 million in cocaine.

'Water Light Sound' is the first album he crafted since being released from prison.