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Post by nikkib on Oct 15, 2012 14:24:59 GMT 1
Thanks! I was debating for awhile on this one, even though, I'm not a huge fan of hers.
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Post by nikkib on Oct 15, 2012 15:13:26 GMT 1
‘Styled To Rock’: Rihanna ‘Fashion Show’ Faces Cancellation ;D Without a doubt, Rihanna is and will be for sometime Pop’s reigning singles Queen. However, much to her dismay, she has always struggled to impress outside of the charts- facing the shame of ‘Battleships’ Box Office bombing and her lack of a US #1 album seven years into her glowing career. Now, her latest project ‘Styled To Rock’ is facing the axe after pulling in lack luster viewing figures in the UK. Details below… That Grape Juice TV shares: “As far as singles go, very few can say they’ve got it quite as good as ‘Unapologetic‘s Rihanna. So perhaps it was this UK’s Sky Living had in mind when handing her own television series ‘Styled To Rock’, in the hope her star power as a musician would translate to television. Unfortunately for them, they were wrong and are now reportedly ready to ax the show which boasted appearances by Katy Perry, Cheryl Cole and the chart topping vocalist herself. This, due to abysmal ratings which saw her draw in 95,000 viewers in its first episode.The Daily Mail revealed: ‘There are no plans to bring it back,’ says a TV insider. ‘Commissioners lost confidence in the project.’ But a Sky source said: ‘It is far too early to make a decision. After every big launch, we undertake extensive research and will make a decision when we evaluate the results.” Peep a short clip from the Fashion outing below… Rihanna’s problem- if it wasn’t already obvious- is that audiences aren’t interested in her cause unless they can A. Sing along to it, and B. Weigh in on its dramas. Basically, if isn’t about Chris Brown or her undeniably brand of Premium Pop, the public has very few d**ns to give and- as viewing figures for both ‘Battleship‘ and ‘Rock’ prove- will shy away from her. Perhaps, if Sky Living had done extensive research of Rihanna‘s brand, they could have avoided the costly make of handing her her own show, assuming her ‘celebrity’ would be enough to draw in British viewers…for any more than two minutes. Nonetheless, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t shocked by this. For, who could have guessed the world’s ‘biggest Pop star’ would score this many ‘Glitters‘ less than a decade into her career. ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 15, 2012 17:54:43 GMT 1
Hot Shots: Rihanna Razzles & Dazzles In ‘Vogue’ ShootRihanna may sing like a choir of dying cats, but oh can the model strike a pose. As previously reported, the 24 year old features in the November 2012 of Vogue magazine; and while last week brought with it the feature’s official cover, this week usher’s in the arrival of the accompanying shots. Check out the ‘Diamonds’ performer pose it up, courtesy of SheIsDiva.com, below… Click here to see more from Ms. Fenty’s shoot! Rihanna’s new album ‘Unapologetic’ arrives on November 19th. ******* Randomness: Is it us or are RiRi campaigns growing more ridiculous with each passing year? At this point, her eras are averaging 5-6 months a pop. Given that ‘Talk That Talk’ only had 4-5 decent tracks, it could and should have been part of a ‘Loud’ re-release. Tease as we may, it’s hard to deny that Team Fenty are playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with her relevancy. For, she runs high risk of saturating her market with her “album a year” policy – especially as her “ever-changing” sound and image are becoming increasingly “samey” and harder to disguingish from era’s prior. Just thinking thinking out aloud. In the meanwhile… ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 16, 2012 13:11:49 GMT 1
Rihanna Addresses Cocaine / Chris Brown RumorsRihanna is opening up like never before. Yes, in what outdoes her tell all conversation with Oprah Winfrey, the ‘Diamonds’ beauty has addressed a number of pressing issues with Anna Wintour‘s ‘Vogue’. Issues, which cover her alleged cocaine habit and reunion with ex boyfriend Chris Brown. Confessions of a Pop Princess below… On romance: “I have not been on a date in forever. Like two years. Haven’t gone to the movies, to dinner. Zero. I would love to go on a date. You don’t think that? I’m a woman. A young woman, vibrant, and I love to have fun. And I have too many girl thingys around me at this point.” “No one asks. Trust me on that. I’m waiting for the man who’s ballsy enough to deal with me. I’m going to wait, though. You always find the wrong nuts when you go looking.”On reports of cocaine use, following the arrival of this snap: “They knew what it was. They knew it was marijuana. It was completely clear to them. I just thought it was uncalled for. I don’t do cocaine. I don’t like being associated with anything that’s untrue.”On reuniting with Chris Brown: “To the world, I feel like there’s no closure.There’s some obsession that’s continued even throughout when we weren’t friends or couldn’t be friends at all. Hated each other. The world hasn’t let go. They haven’t seen any progress in our friendship, because they don’t see anything, really, besides the song.”On ‘Birthday Cake’: “I didn’t think it could be anything detrimental to my career. I was on a tour bus ride between two cities, listening to my album, thinking, Oooh, maybe I should make this into a duet. And I started coming up with a bunch of people, and his name crossed my mind. I thought, We haven’t made a song in so long together . . . it could be a little shocking.” “So now it’s a bit of a fascination, I guess. I don’t know if people will stop soon, but I feel like as soon as they have closure to it, they will. But they’re not on the inside. They can’t see what I see, unless they’re sitting in my point of view. I guess I’ll learn to accept that.”ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 16, 2012 13:28:05 GMT 1
Rihanna Manager Explains ‘One Album A Year’ StrategyHe’s one of Pop’s most elusive but powerful men, steering the ship that is Rihanna‘s career. However, for all his success with the Island belle, Jay Brown oft finds himself criticized for allegedly pushing the star to launch new LPs every year, leading to the premature demise of many of the singer’s eras. Now, as part of her tell spread with ‘Vogue’ magazine, he has explained the logic behind the strategy. His explanation below… In the spread, he shared: “If you have a new iPhone every year, why can’t we give them new content? But I don’t think she’s thinking of it like that. She’s thinking, ’I love to make music. I want to keep going.”Makes sense. The only problem with this theory is when it comes at the expense of a successful project or potential #1 singles, like the one below: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=waGkmPv_NSo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube] Also, while we ‘get’ Brown’s ‘iPhone’ comparison, it is worth noting that unlike Rihanna, Apple’s software (or skills) improve with time, thus giving giving consumers something truly new. Not, the same product in altered packaging. Either way, whichever way you look at it, Brown’s handling of Rihanna‘s career has been impeccable to say the least. We just wish his genius was afforded to an act with a little more potential. ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 16, 2012 16:54:08 GMT 1
Hot Shots: Rihanna Enjoys Shisha In ‘Baku’She may be in the middle of recording a new album, but it seems Rihanna has no interest in protecting the gem that is her voice. For, in what might explain those raspy and oft flat vocals, the starlet was snapped enjoying a Shisha pipe during her time in Baku, Azerbaijan 10 days ago, where she performed at the city’s ‘Crystal Hall’. Ever the rebel, eh? More backstage snaps below… Is i any wonder Nivea were forced to cut ties with her? Sure, though her behavior may not seem all that detrimental to those in her corner, it’s the lack of self control or her inability to censor herself that has some both worried and all the way turned off. For, at 24, snaps like the above are ‘cute’… for now. However, what happens in five years or so when the tabloid dramas run dry and force Rihanna to depend on say… talent she doesn’t have. Sure, though the above may seem harsh, one just has to look at the careers of the Celine‘s and Sade‘s of the world, whose careers have been sustained by a quality that can be found on and off the stage. Not the partying, the “I still love Chris Brown‘s or the short lived eras fueled by material she has little to no hand in creating. ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 18, 2012 13:41:41 GMT 1
Exclusive: Rihanna Hits Studio / Enlists ‘Enough Of No Love’ Writer For New AlbumRihanna looked a little under the weather last night, as she headed to a LA recording studio to finish work on her new LP, ‘Unapologetic‘. Sans her trademark and sporting a laid back look, Fenty’s late night studio session came a month before the LP’s November 19th release, which will see her go head to head with ‘Va Va Voom’ Rapper Nicki Minaj and ‘Woman To Woman‘ star Keyshia Cole, both of whom release albums on the same day. However, in what may give the singer a competitive advantage of her rivals, she has called on up and coming creative Elijah Blake to craft cuts on the project. Perhaps,in the hope of capturing the same success the writer enjoyed with Usher‘s ‘Climax’ and Cole’s ‘Enough Of No Love‘, both of which he penned. More below… Speaking to That Grape Juice recently, Blake explained: “I can't say too much about what I worked on with Ri, other than it’s a song that represents her artistry at its core being, in that we’re both from the Islands.
I was able to tap into an element that I feel is going to add great texture to this album.. I was also hype to wake up to her tweeting the lyrics to a special song I wrote as well.. So we’ll see!” Unfamiliar with Elijah’s voice? Check him out on Rick Ross’ ‘Presidential’ below: Fans can pick Blake’s debut album when it hits stores next year. ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 19, 2012 13:54:30 GMT 1
Hot Shots: Rihanna Enjoys Late Night Studio Session In LAWith almost a month until the release of her new album ‘Unapologetic‘, Rihanna continued to put the finishing touches on the project in LA last night. Dressed to kill and unimpressed by the ever invasive paparazzi, the vocalist hit the studio to complete the album which will reportedly be turned into her label any day now. More from Rita Lite below… Due out November 19th, ‘Unapologetic‘ will feature cuts penned and produced by Sia, The Swedish House Mafia and Roc Nation’s Elijah Blake. ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 22, 2012 13:13:52 GMT 1
Watch: Rihanna And Chris Brown Confirm ‘Relationship’ ?Let’s face it...Rihanna is and will always be one of Pop’s most celebrated stars. Unfortunately for her though, her talent has, and will never, live up to the hype of her celebrity and so- in desperate bids to generate attention- she oft turns to the controversy surrounding she and ex boyfriend Chris Brown to push her cause. A cause, that led her appearance on Oprah’s ‘Next Chapter‘ and now leads her forthcoming album ‘Unapologetic‘. Now peep footage of their pair ‘confirming’ their reunion last night, at an event in support of Brown’s ‘Qubeey’ venture. Media wh*ring below… “Let’s pretend we’re not being filmed.” Right now, as in today, media stunts like these will indeed give Riri the push her vocal skill could never afford her. However, in ten years time, when tomorrow’s ‘listeners’ have a new batch of chart topping stars to worship, will anyone look back on her career with respect and admiration? For, while the likes of GaGa, Usher and Beyonce laid their talent as the sustainable foundations of their brands, Rihanna has become nothing more than Kim Kardashian with a recording contract- lacking the substance that allows the likes of Tina Turner to wow audiences 50 years into her career. In short, with ‘Diamonds’ struggling to top the Hot 100 and momentum for ‘Unapologetic’ all but buzzing, we hope their conveniently timed reunion takes the LP straight to #1. Then again, with Keyshia Cole and ACDC set to serve as serious competition, we doubt it will. Source.ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 22, 2012 13:23:31 GMT 1
Hot Shots: Rihanna Glows For ‘Unapologetic’Get into these snaps of ‘Unfaithful‘ belle Rihanna, on her way into a LA studio session in aid of her new LP ‘Unapologetic‘. Crafting cuts alongside ROC genius Elijah Blake, the chart regular was spotted by shutterbugs exactly a month before the project’s release, which will see her go head to head with Keyshia Cole‘s ‘Woman To Woman‘ and Nicki Minaj’s ‘The Re-Up’. However, if a report from Hits Daily Double is anything to go by, Fenty has very little to worry about as far as sales ago, with the LP predicted to move 275,ooo units in its release week. So, until we find out if that will come to pass, peep more of the glowing star below… ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 22, 2012 13:28:08 GMT 1
Hot Shots: Rihanna Shoots Fiery ‘Diamonds’ VideoWith Rihanna‘s new album ‘Unapologetic’ due in less than a month (November 19th)’ and its lead single ‘Diamonds‘ no longer shining as bright on iTunes, the model has finally shot its accompanying video in hopes of igniting intertest – literally. For scenes of fire feature heavily in new snaps from last night’s shoot in Downtown Los Angeles. And while there’s no word yet on the clip’s treatment, it’s clear Team Rih are going all out visually. Here’s hoping, it’s not their usual M-O of creating so much “around her” in hopes of distracting from how little she offers herself, and is more a case of enhancing it. Because, as the likes of ‘Where Have You Been’ show, when the 24 year old applies herself the results can be pleasantly surprising. Peep more pics below… ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 25, 2012 13:18:12 GMT 1
Hot Shots: Rihanna ‘Specs’ It Up In LAPeep these candids of Pop megastar Rihanna, rocking a sexy but sophisticated look on the streets of LA last night. Reportedly on her way to a meeting, the ‘Rude Boy’ hit maker hit the scene sporting a Chanel Bag and Nike Air Forces, heavily guarded and days after enjoying Chris Brown‘s company at the launch for his ‘Qubeey’ television venture. Next month, she will release her seventh studio album ‘Unapologetic’, and launch the ‘Diamonds’ world tour in 2013 in aid of the Def Jam backed release. Peep more from last night below… ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Oct 29, 2012 19:41:43 GMT 1
Desperate: Rihanna To Sell ‘Unapologetic’ Deluxe Set For $250 Let’s play a game. A role-play, if you will. You’re a successful model, who’s made much of your fortune parading as a “singer”. And, yet for all your “achievements”, a number of things elude you – the most notable being album sales. Indeed, for all your surface success, you still struggle to shift units that truly reflect your “status”. Keen to prove your worth on your 7th try, what do you do to solve your problem? If your name is Rihanna, ”bizarre” is the only word to describe your answer. Details below… Notorious for her inability to sell $10.00 albums, the Bajan star has conjured up a deluxe “platinum” package of her new LP ‘Unapologetic’, which retails at a recession-friendly price of… $250 Hilarious, given that her albums take triple the time and marketing spend of other artists to even sell Platinum. Nonetheless, it begs the question of just what exactly fans will get for their coins in this ultra special edition. Well, wonder no more. According to Rih’s official online store, for 25x the price of the ‘Unapologetic’ CD, you receive… * A Rihanna Unapologetic 2GB Credit Card style USB Flash Memory Drive with plentiful room for high-definition photos, graphic-intensive documents, videos, spreadsheets, presentations, term papers and music that can be stored and retrieved in a flash.
* A unisex shirt featuring a stunning Michael Muller photo of Rihanna taken during her Unapologetic album photo shoots spanning several weeks. Printed on a black 100% soft cotton shirt.
* 7 Art print 12 x15 lithographs featuring Michael Muller photography, a Magnus Voll Mathiassen illustration and exclusive never-before released Rihanna Unapologetic images, bound together with her iconic handwritten R logo band.
* 3 Device Adhesives featuring Rihanna’s Unapologetic cover, logo and image, compatible with iPhone, Blackberry and all other smart phone devices.
* 7 Laptop stickers featuring artwork by Mario Hugo, Unapologetic album and “Diamonds” single artwork, and other Rihanna surprises.
* 11×17 Rihanna handwritten personal note to her Navy
* A collectible colored vinyl featuring Diamonds Remixes.
* A Rihanna 3D experience available exclusively in this boxset. Collect this exclusive custom-made white View-Master with silver detail including a collectible vintage reel of never-before-released 3D images depicting Rihanna’s iconic style transformation.
* A 40-page custom Rihanna Notebook with handwritten notes and lyrics. * Unapologetic Deluxe CD version with a 28-page photo and art booklet featuring Michael Muller and Melissa T. Forde photography and a 20 minute DVD featuring never-before-released footage, a First Look from Rihanna’s sold-out Loud Tour performance Live from London’s O2 arena.
* Exclusive Fan Mosaic poster featuring members of Rihanna’s Navy and a breathtaking Unapologetic image.*********** Ploughing through the BS, the list basically translates as: the album + a bunch of stickers and fridge magnets. Sad, as for that price, we’d expect ol’ Ri to perform a concert in our front room too (ear-plugs included). ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Nov 1, 2012 2:53:45 GMT 1
Must See: Rihanna Readies ’777′ TourBelieve it or not, there are only two weeks left until the release of ‘Unapologetic’, the brand new album by Rihanna. However, for reasons currently unknown, the project’s media push has been a little…slow, with some fans concerned this may tell many a tale upon chart entry. Well, they should no worry no more. For, her label Island Def Jam have announced the launch of a promotional tour that will dominate many a media outlet. Press release below… PR Newswire: “RIHANNA READIES NOVEMBER TAKEOVER! “777 TOUR” PREPARES TO LAUNCH ON NOVEMBER 14: ‘RIHANNA NAVY’ SUPERFANS AND MEDIA REPRESENTING 82 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE TO BOARD 777 JET TO 7 SHOWS IN 7 DAYS IN 7 COUNTRIES UNAPOLOGETIC, RIHANNA’s 7th ALBUM IN JUST 7 YEARS RELEASED ON MONDAY, NOV. 19; DELUXE PRE-ORDERS ON SALE TODAY AT RIHANNANOW.COM; iTUNES PREORDER LAUNCHES NOV. 6 PLATINUM FIRST SINGLE “DIAMONDS” IS TOP 5 AT RADIO Worldwide superstar Rihanna, currently dominating global charts with “Diamonds,” the fastest-rising single of her career to date, and the first single from UNAPOLOGETIC, her upcoming 7th studio album for Island Def Jam in just seven years – arriving in stores worldwide on Monday, November 19th – now announces the launch of her unprecedented “777″ tour on Nov. 14th. A group of die-hard fans from the Rihanna Navy fan club and a traveling international press corps of over 150 journalists representing 82 countries will be taken aboard a chartered Boeing 777 twinjet to 7 shows in 7 days in 7 countries. Working with global sponsor, HTC Corporation, the “777 Tour” will host an intimate gig in each of 7 cities—including one in the UK co-sponsored by River Island — marching toward the November 19th release date of UNAPOLOGETIC. To commemorate the arrival of UNAPOLOGETIC, two different Limited Edition D2C deluxe box sets are up for pre-sale to members of the Rihanna Navy, exclusively at the RihannaNow.com website: the DIAMONDS BOX and the DIAMONDS EXECUTIVE PLATINUM BOX, carrying amazing never-before-released Rihanna images, art and custom-made accessories. UNAPOLOGETIC will go up for pre-order at iTunes on November 6th. Meanwhile, “Diamonds,” with 94 million combined radio audience in the U.S. (Greatest Gainer/Streaming & Airplay), jumps to #5 on the Hot 100, to become Rihanna’s 23rd Top 10 hit on the chart. “Diamonds” debuted four weeks ago with #1 postings at iTunes in 27 countries, and Top 5 iTunes in 55 countries. On November 10th, Rihanna will perform ‘Diamonds’ on the Saturday Night Live stage, her fourth time as musical guest. Rihanna – the “#1 Person On Facebook” with over 62 million Likes – has sold over 37 million albums and 146 million digital tracks worldwide, and currently holds the record as the top-selling digital artist of all time. The recipient of six Grammy Awards® and seven Billboard Music Awards, she was named the world’s #1 social media star by Forbes, with over 2.9 billion views on YouTube/VEVO, the most ever for any female artist, and over 26 million Twitter followers. In addition to her 11 Hot 100 #1 singles and [now] 23 Top 10 singles, she also has 18 #1 singles on the Billboard Dance Club Song Charts. SOURCE: The Island Def Jam Music Group”ThatGrapeJuice
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Post by nikkib on Nov 1, 2012 3:03:26 GMT 1
Embarrassing: Rihanna Reality Show Axed Ironically, taking her so so vocals into account, Rihanna‘s global success is and always has been routed from her music. Sure, though her ‘wild and stylishly reckless’ gimmick may keep her more loyal fans tuned in, it’s her ever infectious brand of premium Pop that leaves the world coming back for more time and again. Unfortunately for her, the same can’t be said for her endeavors outside of the singles chart, forcing many to question how lucrative her brand actually is, when compared to those held by her closest rival, Beyonce. Not sure what we mean? Her reality show ‘Styled To Rock’ has been axed, following record breaking ratings lows and a production billed ‘nightmarish’. The Daily Mail’s exclusive story below… “It was meant to be her big TV break, but Rihanna’s television debut has been axed following poor ratings – amid claims that the production was a ‘nightmare’. The singer, 24, was the star and executive producer on Sky Living Show Styled To Rock, where wannabe designers battled it out to make a festival outfit for their idol. However, she only made three appearances on the programme – including the final, where she picked up the winning outfit. But despite the fact that Rihanna called on friends including Cheryl Cole, Kanye West and Katy Perry to guest star, Styled to Rock has been scrapped after ratings fell to below 79,000. However, the show – presented by fashion designer Henry Holland and Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud – has been sold to the US Style Network without Rihanna on board. A TV source told MailOnline: ‘Scheduling all these popstars with our filming schedule was a nightmare”. ‘Rihanna’s diary was manic, and to be honest, after it struggled for viewers it was always going to be difficult to get her to agree to do another series. During filming, Rihanna sparked concern for her health when she scrapped a 10-week trip to the UK for work – forcing a planned appearance on the programme to be rescheduled. But she angrily dismissed claims that her health was affected by constant partying and said she was visiting her family. However, just weeks later she tweeted pictures of herself hooked up to an IV. Last November she cancelled a concert in Sweden when she was taken to hospital and put on a drip. Doctors put her weakness down to a bad case of flu. The Umbrella star’s then enraged Saturday Night Live bosses by missing a rehearsal due to illness and tiredness. Meanwhile, the star has caused outrage by launching her Diamonds Executive Platinum Box – to be sold at $250 – which will be out on December 11 in time for Christmas. Rihanna superfans will score a T-shirt, seven lithographs, a two gigabyte flash drive, a mosaic poster, a notebook, seven laptop stickers, and a Viewmaster that tracks Rihanna’s various style transformations – as well as the CD. However, fans tweeted their fury, saying she had a ‘nerve’, as another said ‘I think I’ll pass.’ A Sky Living spokeswoman said: ‘It is far too early to make a decision if the show would return for a second series. ‘After every big launch, we undertake extensive research with our customers, and will make a decision when we evaluate the results.’”. To Joe Public, the idea that a show backed by and starring Rihanna could fail so miserably may be a little difficult to swallow, considering her status as a ‘global megastar’. However, as ‘Battleship’s Box Office bombing and her lack of a US #1 album proves, Riri’s brand is built on very uncertain ground- likely to crumble when it isn’t upheld by catchy dance cuts, a new haircut….and Chris Brown induced sob stories. What stings the most about this mess, is that she has been ultimately been fired from it, considering the ‘Style Network’ plans to launch it sans her support, thus making any future plans to branch out into television successfully a little unlikely. Moral of the story? Substance will always beat smoke’n'mirrors. Source.ThatGrapeJuice
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