1) Betty Carter--"Let It Snow"--scat-tastic Christmas.
Merry Christmas from Girl Blue Sees The Light!
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #2
2) Katy B, (UK) "Sleigh Ride"-- Santa stops at London Town.
Propers-Soundcloud
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #3
3) Priscilla Renea --"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"...show em how it's done!
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #4
4) Phony Ppl--"Wonderful Christmas Time" Happy Holidays from Brooklyn.
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5) Unlocking The Truth, "Jingle Bells,"-- Viva la metal, kiddies. Rock out.
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #6
6) Chris Fitz Rock and Soul, "Merry Christmas Baby"-- nitty gritty.
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7) Judith Hill, "Christmas Day," I hear Adele, I hear Amy, I hear island. Me likey.
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #8
8) Straight No Chaser Feat. CeeLo Green,"White Christmas" --also known as "Southern Crunk Christmas A cappella."
NEW VIDEO: BRENDAN MACFARLANE, "GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN"
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #9
9) BESTie feat. Yoo Sae Yoon (S. Korea)--"Zzang Christmas"-- yay subtitles!
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #10
10) Kevin Ross; Mario "Someday at Christmas"--Double song today! This is a Stevie Wonder cover, and both versions held a candle to Stevie's greatness. Mario just sang all over the track, especially the end. Kevin Ross is a fresh voice on Motown Records, and he provided a youthful innocence to the track, not unlike the originator himself back in the day.
Click "Read More" for Mario's version.
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #11
11) Macy Kate and the Macy Kate Band -- "This Christmas (Christina Aguilera cover)"-- riff on, girl.
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12) Ghana & Naija All Stars (Ghana & Nigeria)-"Love In The Air"--small world.
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13) Diane Birch "Gee Whiz It's Christmas"--golly gee whillikers.
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #15
15) Mia Rose (UK)--"What Would Christmas Be Like"--annual beachy holiday song.
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16) Tamar and Trina Braxton--"The Chipmunk Song"--This reminds me of En Vogue's album Born To Sing when they did "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (a spin on the Andrew Sisters' track). Love it!
NEW VIDEO: BAD RABBITS, "GET UP AND GO"
In the Bad Rabbits video for "Get Up And Go," off of their debut album American Love, lead singer Dua tries to correlate with background dancers before he gives up on the set and walks around taping himself on camera, singing about trying to fight the funk of getting over a girl. It's his literal funkiness that you can feel in the guitar grooves of the song; jam out to it above.--GB
NEW VIDEO: MATEO, "HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"
Mateo pours out his soul in his "Home For Christmas" holiday video. Singing at a train station, he wishes for his baby, and stops by her house, but quickly changes his mind. He ends up wandering off on the road home to his family who welcomes him with open arms. Does Santa grant his wish? Watch above.-GB
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #18
18) Samantha Jade (Australia)--"Joy to the World" and "Joyful Joyful"-- every time I hear "Joyful Joyful" it takes me back to Sister Act 2 though...
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #20
20) Machel Montano (Trinidad)--"Soca Santa"- he can define "turn up" for those still struggling with the phrase.
NEW VIDEO: LUKE JAMES, "STRAWBERRY VAPORS"
Luke James is caught in the high of love--a high he just can't shake. In the video for "Strawberry Vapors," off his latest mixtape Whispers In The Dark, James is lifted in slumber to an alternate existence in which he searches for his beau beside colorful scenery, (laying amist a bed of roses with a printed shirt, tinted smoke, the rising leaves, and jumping in a tie-dye shirt on a trampoline). He chases her in a dream sequence that ends in a way you just have to watch.
Great cinematography is becoming his staple, and shows well in the clip which was directed by Sarah McColgan.
You can find Luke James in the movie Black Nativity, in theaters now, and on the "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour" with Beyonce.--GB
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #21
21) Alice Smith-"Silver Bells;" --The sultriness! Never duplicated.
NEW VIDEO: ASTRO, "YES I KNOW MY G"
Astro takes you through the streets of his own stomping grounds of Brooklyn once again for "Yes I Know My G," one of his tracks off of Starvin Like Marvin For A Cool J Song. In the video, he finds himself in humorous situations of communication flubs, one with a girl trying to return his lost keys, another with a corner store owner, one on a basketball court, and another with a girl who wants him to open a water bottle for her. Funny to see the silly side of this up-and-coming rapper. Watch above.
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #22
22) Willy Chirino (Cuba) - "El Niño de Belén." No need to be a seat warmer here...
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23) The Rizzle Kicks (UK) --"Santa Clause Is Coming To Town"--lol.
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24) Voice Print (Sri Lanka) "Christmas Print Acapella "--Because not using instruments is pretty resourceful.
ALBUM REVIEW: REBECCA FERGUSON, "FREEDOM"
Rebecca Ferguson really took it there with her new album. The album deals with many issues surrounding her last two years including
depression and court issues. Despite her label suggesting for her to take some time
off she pushed through creating one of the most revealing and powerful releases.
It is called Freedom, and it is sure to lift and inspire.
Different themes of strength under fire are in play on the strong anthems this
album. Take “All That I've Got” for instance. This xylophone, piano and horn laden
track says that despite all difficulties she's going to let the healing start
and put it all on the table. Or rather,
"My Freedom." In the two-chord base of this song she
tells her adversary that he or she won't take the freedom out of her life.
Then there is “Wonderful World.” The simplicity is in the
guitar base and in the moral that things are not perfect and bad things may be
happening but she can still see the good in everything.
Relationship songs like “Bridges” featuring John Legend
about a love that stole more than gave and “I Choose You,” a love song in which
she says her pride is gone but she chooses happiness and love, round out and
soften the release.
Rebecca Ferguson new album Freedom will be available in
the UK on Monday, December 2.
Propers- Daily Mail
Propers- Daily Mail
GB HOLIDAY SONG BASH 3.0 COUNTDOWN #25
So you've made it to the end of the year! Finally. The holiday season does start earlier and earlier every year, right? But we're really getting into the swing of things now.
Out and about and hearing the sweet traditional holiday music, GBSTL is here with a sort of holiday twist. These songs on the countdown are funky alternatives to the hum-drum tunes you hear on the daily. You'll laugh, you'll dance, and you'll have a good time to these picks; it's your audio-stocking stuffer to end 2013 with a bang, and get ready for that New Year.
What better way to start than with some Jah love? Bob Marley's "Christmas Reggae" will have you bopping along with a mug of cocoa. Save some for yours truly.
Happy Holidays!-GB
Happy Holidays!-GB
NEW VIDEO: ALOE BLACC, "LOVE IS THE ANSWER"
"Love Is The Answer" was produced by Pharrell Williams. --GB
NEW SONG: ASTRO, "NEW NEW YORK"
Astro does his part in calling rappers to challenge themselves in "New New York." His stance on hip hop seems to call out certain rappers in particular, without naming names.
There are certainly different types of rap out there. Is some rap better than others? Like rap with substance? Or are all types of rap necessary to keep the hip-hop train running?
Listen below (produced by The Mentalist).
NEW VIDEO: BRENDAN MACFARLANE, "ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS"
There's a rising talent coming out of Scotland, and his name is Brendan MacFarlane. See him express his love for a special someone in his acoustic video for "Only Heaven Knows."
"Cuz every moment that I'm with her/ It's like time moves twice as slow/ If I can find out how she does it/ Only heaven knows," he sings while looking out yonder.
Find out more about the young star here. --GB
NEW VIDEO: BIRDY, "LIGHT ME UP"
Birdy and her love interest run through a colorful lighted flea market of sorts in the video for "Light Me Up," off of her album entitled Fire Within. --GB
NEW VIDEO: ARIANA GRANDE, "RIGHT THERE"
In a masquerade ball of epic proportions, protagonist Ariana Grande primps for the nights events in the video for "Right There," only to enjoy classic dances and get further acquainted with a statuesque prince (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger); it is a play on the old tale of Romeo and Juliet, and Big Sean's accompaniment on the track, including an appearance from Victorious' Liz Gillies make for a magical night indeed.--GB
NEW VIDEO: ALICE SMITH, "BE EASY"
Alice Smith allows the viewer to follow her road to the stage in the video for "Be Easy." The track is off of her latest album, She, and in the black and white clip, Alice has a little fun with nature, dancing around trees and taking a dip in the pool before doing some vocal aerobics on the mic.
Alice has just performed this past weekend at the 2013 Black Girls Rock! Awards. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King and created by Beverly Bond, this award show honors African-American ladies in different sectors who have have an impact on the community, the nation, and the world. The show airs on November 3 at 7PM Eastern on BET.--GB
NEW VIDEO: P-MONEY FEAT. AARADHNA, "DAPPER MAN"
Aaradhna and producer/DJ P-Money explore what it means to be a "Dapper Man" in this short but oh-so-sweet video clip. Bringing it back with the swing horns, Aaradhna gets all dolled up in antique garb while singing of the man that gets her heart pumping.
Aaradhna has just released a US Deluxe edition of Treble & Reverb, and is now embarking on a nationwide tour in the states. --GB
NEW VIDEO: REBECCA FERGUSON, "I HOPE"
Rebecca Ferguson lets bygones be bygones in her new video for "I Hope." Against a long apartment backdrop overlooking the city, she stands in a beautiful long and flowing gold dress while singing about her past experiences of not exactly walking away from drama. Her image is set amongst three scenarios in which we can see the inner flame of a human: a heated argument between two beaus, another heated argument involving a broken plate, and a father and son having sentimental family time.
Each conflict or scenario gets resolved while Rebecca sings of reaching the point of forgiveness, and wishes her offenders well. Watch above.
This is the first single of her sophomore album entitled Freedom. The single drops November 24, and the album is slated for December 2. More details to come. --GB
NEW SONG: REBECCA FERGUSON, "I HOPE"
Rebecca Ferguson's new album is called Freedom; this song called "I Hope" is just a little inkling of an indication that it will probably be just as great, if not better than the first one. The single will be released on November 24.--GB
NEW SONG: SELAH SUE, "DIRECTION"
Selah Sue did a new song recently for a show in Belgium called De Ridder. It's called "Direction." Check it out above.--GB
VIDEO: ARIANA GRANDE PERFORMS "RIGHT THERE" AND "THE WAY" ON JIMMY KIMMEL
NEW SONG: AARADHNA FEAT. COMMON, "WAKE UP" (REMIX)
Common drops a little bit of sense and sunshine on Aaradhna's "Wake Up," the breakout single from her latest album Treble & Reverb. --GB
5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BRENDAN MACFARLANE
When it comes to party diddy’s, pop queens, and rap one-liners we all know where we could go, but what about when it comes to some good old fashioned, heart warming soul? Well, look no further than the Scottish superstar who goes by the name of Brendan MacFarlane.
Brendan has been keen at renditions of country, bluegrass, and gospel from a very young age, and his silky riffs and amplified notes haven’t gone unnoticed. He has just turned 16 and is ready to take his talents worldwide. However, there’s five things you should know before you hear him on your country station.
NEW VIDEO: JAY BROWN, "SUN COMES UP"
Jay Brown has just dropped her newest video for one of her established songs, "Sun Comes Up," featuring young children finding treasure of books and light. While Jay Brown does have successful predecessors in the biz, her unique, rich growl will capture you, one note at a time.
The singer is the latest of future stars to come out of the UK. Stay tuned.--GB
NEW VIDEO: SID SRIRAM, "SUPERSTAR"
Doom&Gloom directed this version of "Superstar," a loose rendition of The Carpenters' release, as performed by Sid Sriram. This thick, syrupy hook penetrates, maybe enough to revisit the drop West Coast Nightfall, Pt. 1, which it was on.--GB
I Like
Diane Birch-- "All The Love You Got," off her upcoming album Speak A Little Louder has the key ingredients of a timeless song. Check it out above. The album comes out on October 15.--GB
GBSTL FAN RECAP: LAURA MVULA LIVE IN WILLIAMSBURG
Experts smexperts. Sometimes it's great to hear the
perspective of a journalist on what happened at a show, but sometimes, as a fan
of an artist, you want to hear from someone who just so happened to be in the
audience! GBSTL has provided a fan review that does just that.
Laura Mvula is well known for her vocal aesthetics. On her
debut album, Sing To The Moon, one can find majestic symphonies from a
sonically and beautifully trained voice, and well orchestrated lyricism.
She recently made two stops in NY, one being at the Music Hall of
Willamsburg, and Reshma Sapre was there to take you into that special capsule of time. Check it
out below.--GB
Reshma Sapre (@animalmatter)
On the invitation of my good friend Milton, who I trust with
musical suggestions, I decided to go see Laura Mvula at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. He had invited me to the show and after a quick visit to her website
where I watched the video for “She.” I was all in.
The hall was packed and I realized I hadn’t
been there in a while; it’s awfully clean for a rock venue. The mostly
urban crowd was layered in ‘fros, braids, and dreads filling the space corner
to corner.
I shuffled to the front to find my friend and got there just
in time. Her band emerged first, including her sister Dionne on violin and James on cello. Then she emerged wearing an oversized
greyish/army green Anorak with the hood over her head and white pumps which
she revealed she had purchased from Top Shop.
Mvula sat herself by her keys humbled by the crowd and
opened with “Like the Morning Dew,” harnessing something of Annie Lennox, Tori
Amos and an old African griot. When she called on the audience to be her
back-up singers as she led the way through Bob Marley’s “One Love” the room
spilled open with delighted raised voices.
Before treating us to “Flying Without You” she shared a
story of unreturned teenage love and heart-break that led to this upbeat,
richly layered, song about falling into pieces over a boy who didn’t love her
back at 15. When she sang “Father, Father” I, like most of the audience was
moved to tears. In the pin drop silence, you could feel everyone in the room; the energy charged with this powerful presence joining us from the stage.
Deciding it was time to bring the room back up she broke into her stateside hit
“Green Garden.”
Coming back onstage for what seemed like an unexpected
encore, she sang her version of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” that her
brother James Douglas had arranged. He accompanied her on cello and the
audience sang along. It was a beautiful end to a brilliant show. Plainly
put, Laura Mvula took us to church, and that’s coming from a heathen.
THE VERDICT?
I didn't know what to expect when I went to the see the
show, but what she delivered was really quite refreshing. I loved the
rapport she had with the audience, managing to personalize the performance with
genuine humility, grace, and ease reminding me of the early MTV Unplugged days.
The intimacy in which she shared the stories behind her songs and the clean
storytelling in her lyrics combined with a voice that blows you away have made
me a fan for life. I've read that other people rank her as a neo-soulstress,
comparing her to Jill Scott, etc, but I think she's so much bigger. She's
Annie Lennox, Björk, and Tori Amos big to me, and her songwriting ranks far
beyond many who are writing right now.
Snap Snap! Here's a pic of Laura in action!
VIDEO: BIRDY PERFORMS "NO ANGEL" LIVE
Watch Birdy as she presents a beautiful live video for "No Angel," one of her latest songs off of her sophomore effort, Fire Within. It's the latest of her videos recorded at Abbey Road.--GB
VIDEO: MATEO'S "HOLD ON WE'RE GOING HOME" (KITCHEN VERSION/DRAKE COVER)
Mateo refreshes us with a viral idea that appeals to a broad audience. It's Drake's "Hold On We're Going Home," done in a way that only Krucial Noise can bring you. Using kitchen utensils like a cabinet closing, drums on a counter, and a spoon against glasses, Mateo creatively sings the tune that has resonated in our own ears in a lighthearted video, creating many new fans as a result!
Watch Mateo explain his reasoning behind one of his original songs, "Sing About Me," after the jump.--GB
NEW MIXTAPE: ASTRO, "STARVIN LIKE MARVIN FOR A COOL J SONG"
Astro is growing up in more ways than one; examine his age and content maturation in his new mix tape Starvin Like Marvin For A Cool J Song. It has features from up-and-coming rapper Wordspit The Illest, Loaf Muzik, Skyzoo, and Black Dave, with production from ThatLoserLaron, Easy Mo Bee, Statik Selektah, BrandUn DeShay and more.
Astro appeals to a variety of audiences--his lyrics are relevant to the present day generation, and his production is reminiscent of the early 90's. So take a listen to Starvin Like Marvin For A Cool J Song, and think of an epoch where rap was heated, alternative was at its finest, and MTV played music videos.--GB
NEW VIDEO: ARIANA GRANDE, "BABY I"
Ariana Grande is having a pretty successful album release week. With performances on "The Today Show" (click "Read More" to see that) and "Jimmy Fallon," (which airs tonight on NBC at 12:35 AM Eastern), and a stop at many radio outlets, the singer is putting her promotional work in. Right now she's headed for the top of the Billboard 200 chart, in an attempt to beat out Tamar Braxton for a projected number 1 spot for Yours Truly.
Check out her new video, "Baby I," with her having fun in the summer sun outdoors on top of a car, and partying alongside her dancers.
VIDEO: BIRDY PERFORMS "LIGHT ME UP" AND "WINGS" LIVE
See "Wings" after the jump.
VIDEO: ARIANA GRANDE PERFORMS "THE WAY" AND "BABY I" ON MTV VMAS 2013
It was a big night last night at the MTV VMA's, with official artist next up Ariana Grande there for the pre-show extravaganza to tear it down with "The Way" and "Baby I." Watch above.--GB
Propers: MTV
NEW VIDEO: V V BROWN, "THE APPLE (PART 2 OF 'SAMSON')"
In V V Brown's highly anticipated follow up to "Samson," and in her biblical spin, the protagonist Sampson is found in a field in his elderly state, wandering through the fields until he finds V V; her help may just change the state of things for him.
V V is preparing for this full length album entitled Samson & Delilah, and will release the entire story as a short film to the score of the album. Check out the short film trailer after the jump. In the UK the album will be released on September 8, and October 8 internationally.--GB
VIDEO: SID SRIRAM, "LIFE ROUND HERE" (JAMES BLAKE COVER/SID SRIRAM RENDITION)
Sid Sriram used Carnatic runs to cover James Blake's "Life Round Here," and it's sweet. With Sean Tracy on electric guitar, Sid takes you on a vocal journey, with many hills and valleys along the way. The up-and-coming singer is now funding an Indiegogo campaign for his West Coast Nightfall pt. II release. --GB
NEW VIDEO: AARADHNA, "SIT WITH A SLOUCH"
Aaradhna has many hits on Treble & Reverb, but "Sit With a Slouch" is one of a different kind. It's a slug--a lyrical proverbial sock to anyone who has anything negative to say about her. It was directed by Guy Blelloch and filmed in Harlem, NY. Take that. --GB
VIDEO: MATEO PERFORMS "HOW GOOD IS YOUR LOVE" ACOUSTIC
In front of the Bowery Mural in NYC, painted by established artists Pose and Revok, Mateo performs "How Good Is Your Love" acoustic off of his EP, We've Met Before. It's on iTunes now.--GB
VIDEO: SID SRIRAM, "LUCID" (COCAINE 80'S COVER/SID SRIRAM RENDITION)
Sid Sriam dropped his latest cover as part of a prelude to West Coast Nightfall pt II. The vid, shot and edited by Lake Effects films, is a shortened version of Cocaine 80's "Lucid," for Sid counts James Fauntleroy and No I.D. as major influences. Watch Sid in the studio performing this guitar-laden track alongside Sean Tracy.--GB
MICKEY FACTZ, ASTRO, & MORE RESPOND WITH TRACKS TO KENDRICK LAMAR'S "CONTROL" VERSE
In addition to calling out rappers such as A$AP Rocky, Cole, Tyler the Creator, and even Big Sean and Jay Electronica themselves, he says he is basically coming for them lyrically, and hopes their fans will even forget the sound of them. (I got love for you all but I'm tryna murder you ni****/Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you ni****/They dont wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you ni****).
This has sparked a few rappers to backlash. While B.O.B. and Joell Ortiz put out some response tracks, Astro and Mickey Factz put out tracks as well. Astro's is entitled "KONY" for "King of New York," and he sampled the Newsies track of the same name, and Mickey Factz's is called "South Park."
While Kendrick has probably unsettled some rappers for calling himself the King of NY, being from Compton, he has also sparked a healthy competition. While it's not safe to say which of these rappers (and all who will respond in the coming days/weeks) has won as of yet, one things for sure. Kendrick is sitting pretty knowing he lit a burning flame.
Here's Mickey Factz and Astro's response, just released, below.
MICKEY FACTZ
ASTRO
Check the original "Control" song after the jump.
VIDEO: ARIANA GRANDE PERFORMS "BABY I" AND "THE WAY" ACOUSTIC
PREVIEW: LUKE JAMES FT. HIT BOY, "OH GOD" (VIDEO) (UPDATED).
Drama; passion; deception; dogs; dancing, and getting caught in the act! Who said you needed to pay $12 dollars to see a movie? Expect this and more in Luke James' new "Oh God" video from his mixtape Whispers in The Dark, coming really soon to a tube near you.--GB
UPDATE: Link: Watch the "Oh God" video here..--GB
NEW SONG, V V BROWN, "THE APPLE"
V V Brown's new song "The Apple" is along the lines of her first single "Samson" with the Biblical influences, but this track is a bit more upbeat. V V orders a person who is not "the apple of her eye" not to patronize her or bring her down with an electro rhythm produced by Pascal Gabriel and Dave Okumu (of Jesse Ware fame). Will this video be pt. II to the "Samson" video? *Fingers crossed*
Samson & Delilah is out in the US on Oct 8 via YOY Records.--GB
Propers--SPIN
NEW SONG: MATEO, "AFTER DARK"
Mateo brings the heat with "After Dark," the new single from his EP entitled We've Met Before out Aug 13. Listen below.--GB
NEW SONG: ARIANA GRANDE FEAT. BIG SEAN, "RIGHT THERE"
Ariana Grande has been gearing up for her Listening Sessions tour, but until then, she has dropped a song with Big Sean called "Right There," along with putting snippets of her album Yours Truly on Keek and Instagram. Look out for the release on September 3. --GB
NEW SONG: ASTRO, "CRAZY"
For the love of money! Astro has his take on the "almighty dollar" in "Crazy," a track off of his upcoming album, out in September. For this he samples reggae artist Supercat's "Dolly My Baby," while focusing on monetary issues. Listen below.--GB
NEW VIDEO: BIRDY, "WINGS"
NEW VIDEO: SID SRIRAM, "YESTERDAY (RENDITION/BEATLES COVER)"
Sid Sriram just dropped a Beatles cover. It's void of over-production, and with the accompany of a simple guitar, Sid croons a timeless track, "Yesterday." It leads to the release of West Coast Nightfall, pt. II. He is now raising funds via Indiegogo for this purpose.--GB
NEW VIDEO: WILLY MOON, "GET UP (WHAT YOU NEED)"
Willy Moon's got the stuff. In his new video for "Get Up (What You Need)," off of his debut album Here's Willy Moon, Willy talks of his humble beginnings in the biz, starting from nothing and forming his wit and his ardent strength. Simplified with his black and white color scheme, his Buddy Holly structure, and his out-of-this-world production, it's a convincing motivation. --GB
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