Neil S Schwartz

BERKELEY ❤️

#FUGEES30 What most people don’t know is that I met Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel when I was about 12 or 13 years old. It was International Man of Mystery Pras, a schoolmate of my brother, who first invited me to do background vocals for him at a studio session in East Orange, NJ. He was well known in our circles for being bold and unique in those days. Myself and Marcy DeNezza came through, ideated, harmonized, and laid some parts down, then this genius, odd-ball named ‘Nel’ (aka Wyclef Jean) came in, jumped on the mic and blew everyone away. He was part cowboy, part rapper, part dancehall DJ, part comedian. Soon after a group was formed, The Tranlzlator Crew (back when using the letter ‘s’ was passé), with more members than what the Fugees would eventually become. In hindsight, we were just a group of creative kids getting into different things, both finding and creating our way. Beneath all of this though was an urgent, determined and excited drive to create space for a sound and a freedom that allowed us to embody who WE were and lay the groundwork for others like us. We’re celebrating 30 years of The Fugees’ The Score, the album that became a phenomenon of music, message, mission and creative vision. Three decades later, I’m still moved by the stories and memories people share about how The Score impacted them. Now I’d love to hear YOURS. Share a memory, photograph, video or story about what The Score means to you by posting it to your Instagram grid with #FUGEES30 before November 1st for a chance to win a pair of tickets to one of our upcoming shows in Berkeley, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or Seattle as we celebrate this anniversary together. And for those who want to be part of the celebration, tickets are available through the link in my bio. Love and Respect, MLH ❤️ TICKETS: FUGEES.COM