Legendary singer Carly Simon yesterday said she felt an “instant connection” with the Brooklyn-born rapper whose prison sentence she helped get commuted – along with oddball ally Sen. Orrin Hatch.
In a revealing interview with The Post, Simon recalled that after her first meeting years ago with John Forte – her son’s school buddy who went on to produce The Fugees – “there was an instant connection between us.
“He’s a very talented young man,” Simon gushed of Forte, who refers to her as “Mama C.”
Simon’s relationship with Hatch, a Republican from Utah, may not have been as easy to come by – but it proved crucial to Forte two days ago, when the convicted crack dealer had his prison sentence commuted by President Bush.
Simon, a Democrat, and the conservative senator formed a connection over their common love – music – and she lobbied him to come to Forte’s defense.
Forte was busted in July 2000 carrying 31 pounds of liquid cocaine at Newark Airport. He claimed he was delivering a package for a friend, but was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 14 years in prison.
Hatch – who wrote the country ballad “Are You Lonely Here With Me?” which Simon recorded – quickly got on board.
In 2005, the senator convinced the Justice Department to move Forte from a Pennsylvania prison to one at Fort Dix, NJ, just 25 minutes from his mom’s home in New Brunswick.
Hatch also arranged for Forte to have his guitar with him in prison, a perk not afforded many inmates.
But the ultimate payoff from the unlikely pairing of Simon and Hatch came Monday with Bush’s action, which means Forte can be freed Dec. 22.
Hatch was “key in getting the president to act,” Simon glowed.
“[Hatch] is not just a Republican but also a great human being,” she said. “He couldn’t have been more terrific during this entire process.
“He was always very impressed with everything that I brought to his attention regarding John.”
In 2006, the singer wrote on her Web site, “Go to the right and go to the left. You will be surprised at whom you affect,” as she implored fans to lobby lawmakers to get Forte released.
Hatch’s office did not return a call for comment.
Forte – Inmate No. 88840-079 – is famous for his work with The Fugees. He wrote and produced songs for their 1996 Grammy-winning album, “The Score.”
Forte also released two solo albums. The second, called “I, John,” included a duet with Simon.
Forte, now 33, has toured with hip-hop star Wyclef Jean, too.
He became a regular at Simon’s home in Martha’s Vineyard after becoming close pals with her son, Ben Taylor, whose dad is singer James Taylor.
Forte met Ben after winning a full scholarship to the Phillips Exeter Academy, a posh boarding school in New Hampshire, where both boys attended. Forte studied the violin there.
After graduating in 1993, Forte attended NYU but later dropped out.
When Forte was busted, Simon put $250,000 toward his $650,000 bail and started her campaign to free him.
FreeJohnForte.com, a Web site set up by Forte’s friends, displayed messages yesterday from well-wishers. The home page features a clock counting down to his release next month.