61-396: Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American gospel singer, choir director , record producer and rapper . He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel and Christian R&B ensembles such as The Family, God's Property , and One Nation Crew (1NC). His accolades include 20 Grammy Awards . Variety dubbed Franklin as a "Reigning King of Urban Gospel", and
122-516: A call and response fashion, heavily influenced by ancestral African music. Most of the churches relied on hand–clapping and foot–stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella . The first published use of the term "gospel song" appeared in 1874. The original gospel songs were written and composed by authors such as George F. Root , Philip Bliss , Charles H. Gabriel , William Howard Doane , and Fanny Crosby . Gospel music publishing houses emerged. The advent of radio in
183-617: A hype man when writing for the New Yorker . Franklin contributed to Tori Kelly 's Hiding Place album, released September 14, 2018. They had intended to collaborate on one song, but it turned into a larger project. On January 25, 2019, Franklin released his single "Love Theory" and official music video for the song. "Love Theory" served the first single from his 13th studio album, Long Live Love . Franklin released his second single, "Just for Me", in April 2019. His third single, "OK",
244-664: A Lovely Day ". The Nu Nation Project went on to top the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums chart for 23 weeks and the Billboard Gospel Albums chart for 49 weeks, and brought Franklin his third Grammy. Also in 1998, Franklin had made a guest appearance on the hit television sitcom Sister, Sister . In 2000, members of The Family filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit for royalties for their work on The Nu Nation Project against Franklin and GospoCentric Records. This saw
305-452: A book in which he recounts the family difficulties experienced during his childhood, and how he got out of a sexually active life and an addiction to pornography. Franklin served as the host and co-executive producer of the BET original series Sunday Best and the musical co-host of GSN 's The American Bible Challenge with Jeff Foxworthy . Franklin's 11th studio album called Hello Fear
366-651: A couple, they have two children together. In November 1996, Franklin had a near death experience after accidentally falling from a stage into an orchestra pit during a concert in Memphis , he had suffered a head injury which had left him in critical condition before making a full recovery. In March 2021, Franklin's oldest son, Kerrion, released an audio recording of a private conversation between him and his father in which both can be heard using profanities. Franklin subsequently apologized to his fans and followers. In 2023, Franklin met his biological father Richard Hubbard for
427-683: A fact that was commemorated in Albert E. Brumley 's 1937 song, "Turn Your Radio On" (which is still being published in gospel song books). (In 1972, a recording of " Turn Your Radio On " by the Lewis Family was nominated for Gospel Song of the Year .) The Soul Stirrers introduced R.H. Harris, Sam Cooke, and Johnnie Taylor. Sensational Nightingales , Swan Silvertones, the Soul Stirrers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and
488-443: A few, began recording music that had this positive Christian country flair. These mainstream artists have now become award winners in this genre. Some proponents of "standard" hymns generally dislike gospel music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, believing that it emphasizes emotion over doctrine. For example, Patrick and Sydnor complain that commercial success led to a proliferation of such music, and "deterioration, even in
549-506: A local university. He was accepted, but later he had to deal with a girlfriend's pregnancy and his eventual expulsion from school for bad behavior. Franklin studied music with Jewell Kelly and the Singing Chaparrals at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School . He continued under her tutelage and ultimately became the pianist for the choir. When he was aged 15 he witnessed the death of a friend by shooting, after which Franklin returned to
610-486: A million units after Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace and BeBe & CeCe Winans' Addictive Love . Two years later, after releasing a 1995 Christmas album entitled Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas , the group released Whatcha Lookin' 4 in 1996. The album was certified platinum and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album . In 1996, Franklin's song "Joy"
671-655: A new distribution deal with Zomba Label Group . On October 4, 2005, Hero was released in the United States. The album was certified Gold on December 2, 2005 ( 2005-12-02 ) , and Platinum on December 14, 2006 ( 2006-12-14 ) , by the Recording Industry Association of America . It reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Christian and Top Gospel albums. The first single, " Looking for You ",
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#1732798263247732-416: A number of quotations similar to the complaints of Patrick and Sydnor. However, he also provided this quotation: "Gospel hymnody has the distinction of being America's most typical contribution to Christian song. As such, it is valid in its inspiration and in its employment." Today, with historical distance, there is a greater acceptance of such gospel songs into official denominational hymnals. For example,
793-548: A recording contract. In 1993, the group, now known as "Kirk Franklin & The Family", released their debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family . It spent almost two years on the gospel music charts and charted on the R&;B charts, eventually earning platinum sales status. It remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. It was only the third gospel music album to sell over
854-405: A standard which to begin with was not high, resulted." They went on to say, "there is no doubt that a deterioration in taste follows the use of this type of hymn and tune; it fosters an attachment to the trivial and sensational which dulls and often destroys sense of the dignity and beauty which best befit the song that is used in the service of God." Gold reviewed the issue in 1958, and collected
915-564: Is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, is also known as inspirational country. Webb Pierce, the Oak Ridge Boys and Granpa Jones recorded Christian country music records. Christian country over the years has progressed into a mainstream country sound with inspirational or positive country lyrics. In the mid–1990s, Christian country hit its highest popularity. This popularity was such that mainstream artists like Larry Gatlin , Charlie Daniels and Barbara Mandrell , just to name
976-574: Is one of the best-selling gospel albums of all time . The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 120,000 copies, making it the highest charting gospel album at the time (until Marvin Sapp 's Here I Am debuted at #2 in 2010). It was also #1 on the Top R&;B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for 5 non-consecutive weeks making it the first gospel album ever to top that chart. It
1037-459: Is one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame . A native of Fort Worth, Texas , Franklin was raised by his aunt, Gertrude, having been abandoned as a baby by his mother. Gertrude recycled aluminum cans to raise money for Kirk to take piano lessons from the age of four. Kirk excelled and was able to read and write music while also playing by ear . At
1098-823: Is the most well–known form, often seen in Black churches, non–Black Pentecostal and evangelical churches, and in entertainment spaces across the country and world. It originates from the Southeastern United States ("the South"), where most Black Americans lived prior to the Great Migration . This music was highly influenced by the hymnody of the spirituals and of Watts and, later, the musical style and vision of Dorsey. Whereas northern Black churches did not at first welcome Dorsey's music (having become accustomed to their own more Eurocentric flavorings), after
1159-655: The Gospel Music Workshop of America , a Black gospel outlet. Late 20th–century musicians such as Elvis Presley , Jerry Lee Lewis , and the Blackwood Brothers were also known for their gospel influences and recordings. Urban contemporary gospel emerged in the late 1960s and early 70s with Edwin Hawkis Singers highly popular "Oh Happy Day" which is still performed worldwide in the 2000s. Artists such as James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin,
1220-569: The United Methodist Church made this acceptance explicit in The Faith We Sing , a 2000 supplement to the official denominational hymnal. In the preface, the editors say, "Experience has shown that some older treasures were missed when the current hymnals were compiled." God%27s Property (album) God's Property is a collaboration studio album by God's Property , as well as Kirk Franklin's fourth album. It
1281-400: The abolition movement provided cross–fertilization. The first published use of the term "Gospel song" probably appeared in 1874 when Philip Bliss released a songbook entitled Gospel Songs. A Choice Collection of Hymns and Tunes . It was used to describe a new style of church music, songs that were easy to grasp and more easily singable than the traditional church hymns , which came out of
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#17327982632471342-451: The killing of Atatiana Jefferson by a police officer. He stated that he was boycotting the award show going forward as it was not the first time they had edited his acceptance speech to remove "reflections on police violence against Black Americans". GMA president, Jackie Patillo, apologized to Franklin and GMA made an unedited version of the speech available but stated that it was an unintentional action and that they were attempting to reduce
1403-406: The 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music, and James D. Vaughan used radio as an integral part of his business model, which also included traveling quartets to publicize the gospel music books he published several times a year. Virgil O. Stamps and Jesse R. Baxter studied Vaughan's business model and by the late 1920s were running heavy competition for Vaughan. The 1920s also saw
1464-567: The 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music. Following World War II , gospel music moved into major auditoriums, and gospel music concerts became quite elaborate. Black and Southern gospel music are largely responsible for gospel's continued presence in contemporary Christian music , with soul music by far the best–known popular music variant. The styles emerged from the African-American music and American folk music traditions and have evolved in various ways over
1525-407: The 1960s. It has evolved over the years into a popular form of music across the United States and overseas, especially among baby boomers and those living in the South. Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of southern gospel varies according to culture and social context. Christian country music , sometimes referred to as country gospel music,
1586-461: The 1990s. In 2001, he produced the soundtrack for the film Kingdom Come . The soundtrack included gospel artists Mary Mary , Trin-i-tee 5:7 , Crystal Lewis , and Franklin's group 1NC, as well as mainstream artists Az Yet , Jill Scott , Tamar Braxton , Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and others. The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin was released in February 2002 after being delayed. It topped
1647-419: The 30th Stellar Awards. The Walls Group won seven awards, while Page-Lockhart won three of her own, and Franklin won two more for his label. In September 2015, Franklin announced his twelfth studio album, Losing My Religion , which was released on November 13, 2015. The first single off the album, "Wanna Be Happy?", was released on August 28, 2015. It was at this point that Vinson Cunningham referred to him as
1708-445: The 70s and 80s, Urban Contemporary gospel is the most common form of recorded gospel music today. It relies heavily on rhythms and instrumentation common in the secular music of the contemporary era (often including the use of electronic beats), while still incorporating the themes and heritage of the traditional Black gospel genre. Kirk Franklin is the foremost (and by far the bestselling) individual in this genre, while Andrae Crouch,
1769-648: The Clark Sisters , Mary Mary , and Yolanda Adams are also very popular and noteworthy. British black gospel refers to gospel music of the African diaspora in the UK. It is also often referred to as "UK gospel". The distinctive sound is heavily influenced by UK street culture with many artists from the African and Caribbean majority black churches in the UK. The genre has gained recognition in various awards such as
1830-479: The Clark Sisters, and Andraé Crouch followed them. And this pattern would repeat itself in subsequent decades, with new artists like Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin making increasingly more bold forays into the secular world with their musical stylings. The current sphere of Black gospel recording artists is almost exclusively of the urban contemporary bent. Also of note is the rise of Christian (or gospel) rap/hip–hop , which has gained increasing popularity since
1891-716: The Dixie Hummingbirds were popular in afroamerican gospel fans. In 1964, the Gospel Music Association was established, which in turn began the Dove Awards (in 1969) and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (in 1972). Both of the latter two groups began primarily for Southern gospel performers, but in the late 1970s, began including artists of other subgenres, which brought in many Black artists. Also in 1969, James Cleveland established
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1952-583: The GEM (Gospel Entertainment Music) Awards, MOBO Awards , Urban Music Awards and has its own Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart . Southern gospel music comes from the Southeastern United States and is similar in sound to Christian country music, but it sometimes known as "quartet music" for its traditional "four men and a piano" set up. The genre, while remaining predominantly White, began to integrate Black gospel stylings in
2013-578: The Gospel Albums chart for 29 weeks, was No. 1 on the Hot R&;B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified Platinum. The album featured collaborations with Bishop T.D. Jakes , Shirley Caesar , Willie Neal Johnson , TobyMac , Crystal Lewis, Jaci Velasquez , Papa San , Alvin Slaughter , and Yolanda Adams . In 2004, Franklin launched a new label called Fo Yo Soul Entertainment and had signed
2074-411: The Soul Stirrers, Swan Silvertones and the Dixie Hummingbirds were famous gospel groups. Christian country music , sometimes referred to as country gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair. Celtic gospel music infuses gospel music with a Celtic flair, and is popular in countries such as Ireland. British black gospel refers to Gospel music of the African diaspora produced in
2135-610: The Southern migrants' new churches became more popular, so did gospel music, gospel choirs, and the general trend toward exclusive use of this music in Black churches. Dorsey, Whitney Houston, Mahalia Jackson, the Mississippi Mass Choir , and the Georgia Mass Choir are but a few notable examples. Developing out of the fusion of traditional Black gospel with the styles of secular Black music popular in
2196-663: The United Kingdom. According to Yale University music professor Willie Ruff, the singing of psalms in Scottish Gaelic by Presbyterians of the Scottish Hebrides evolved from " lining out "—where one person sang a solo and others followed—into the call and response of gospel music of the American South. Another theory notes foundations in the works of Isaac Watts and others. Moreover,
2257-478: The age of seven, Franklin received his first contract which his aunt turned down. He did join the church choir and became music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir at 11 years of age. In his teenage years, Franklin rebelled against his strict religious upbringing, and in an attempt to keep him out of trouble, his grandmother arranged an audition for him at a professional youth conservatory associated with
2318-494: The church, where he again directed the choir. He also co-founded a gospel group, The Humble Hearts , which recorded one of Franklin's compositions and got the attention of gospel music legend Milton Biggham, musical director of the Georgia Mass Choir . Impressed, Biggham enlisted him to lead the DFW Mass Choir in a recording of Franklin's song "Every Day with Jesus". This led to Biggham hiring Franklin, just 20 years old at
2379-624: The days of the Gospel Gangstaz and The Cross Movement . Often considered a subgenre of urban contemporary gospel, Christian rap has become dominated in present times by artists from Reach Records , who have seen perhaps the most commercial success of any artists in the gospel genre; Lecrae (the label's founder and preeminent artist) has charted in the top 10 of on the Billboard 200 three times, with his 2014 album "Anomaly" debuting at No. 1. See also: Traditional Black gospel music
2440-457: The definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music is characterized by dominant vocals and strong use of harmony with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century. Hymns and sacred songs were often performed in
2501-513: The end of the "Kirk Franklin & The Family" records, as Franklin continued with his newer group One Nation Crew , releasing Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC . The album was recorded prior to the lawsuit. On January 16, 2010, at the 25th Annual Stellar Awards show taping in Nashville, Tennessee , Kirk Franklin & The Family reunited briefly on stage to perform songs made popular by them in
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2562-494: The first great gospel recording artist. The first person to introduce ragtime to gospel (and the first to play piano on a gospel recording) was Arizona Dranes . The 1930s saw the rise of Black gospel quartets such as the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama . In addition to these high–profile quartets, there were many Black gospel musicians performing in the 1920s and 30s, usually playing
2623-584: The first time and reconciled with his son Kerrion in his documentary film Father's Day: A Kirk Franklin Story . Film Television Franklin has received 20 Grammy Awards and 22 GMA Dove Awards . He has also received BET Awards , Soul Train Music Awards and Stellar Awards . Gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music and a cornerstone of Christian media . The creation, performance, significance, and even
2684-803: The first week. It reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Gospel and Top Christian albums charts, and also peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top R&;B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The first single, " Declaration (This is It) ," was released on October 23, 2007 ( 2007-10-23 ) , and peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot R&;B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. The album features guest appearances from Rance Allen , Isaac Carree, TobyMac, Da' T.R.U.T.H. , Doug Williams (singer) and Melvin Williams (singer). The song "Jesus"
2745-734: The genre arose during a time when literacy was not a guarantee, utilizing a great deal of repetition (which, unlike more traditional hymns, allowed those who could not read the opportunity to participate). Perhaps the most famous gospel–based hymns were composed in the 1760s and 1770s by English writers John Newton (" Amazing Grace ") and Augustus Toplady ("Rock of Ages"), members of the Anglican Church . Starting out as lyrics only, it took decades for standardized tunes to be added to them. Although not directly connected with African–American gospel music, they were adopted by African–Americans as well as white Americans, and Newton's connection with
2806-725: The guitar and singing in the streets of Southern cities. In the 1930s, in Chicago, Thomas A. Dorsey turned to gospel music, establishing a publishing house. It has been said that 1930 was the year traditional black gospel music began, as the National Baptist Convention first publicly endorsed the music at its 1930 meeting. Dorsey was responsible for developing the musical careers of many African–American artists, such as Mahalia Jackson (best known for her rendition of his " Precious Lord, Take My Hand "). Meanwhile, radio continued to develop an audience for gospel music,
2867-574: The marketing of gospel records by groups such as the Carter Family . The Pentecostal movement quickly made inroads with churches not attuned to the Europeanized Black church music that had become popular over the years since Emancipation. These congregations readily adopted and contributed to the gospel music publications of the early 20th century. Sister Rosetta Tharpe , pioneer of rock and roll , soon emerged from this tradition as
2928-513: The mass revival movement starting with Dwight L. Moody , whose musician was Ira D. Sankey , as well as the Holiness – Pentecostal movement. Prior to the meeting of Moody and Sankey in 1870, there was an American rural/frontier history of revival and camp meeting songs, but the gospel hymn was of a different character, and it served the needs of mass revivals in the great cities. The revival movement employed popular singers and song leaders,
2989-483: The most famous of them being Ira D. Sankey. The original "gospel" songs were written and composed by authors such as George F. Root , Philip Bliss , Charles H. Gabriel , William Howard Doane , and Fanny Crosby . As an extension to his initial publication Gospel Songs , Philip Bliss, in collaboration with Ira D. Sankey issued no's. 1 to 6 of Gospel Hymns in 1875. Sankey and Bliss's collection can be found in many libraries today. The popularity of revival singers and
3050-460: The openness of rural churches to this type of music (in spite of its initial use in city revivals) led to the late 19th and early 20th century establishment of gospel music publishing houses such as those of Homer Rodeheaver , E. O. Excell , Charlie Tillman , and Charles Tindley . These publishers were in the market for large quantities of new music, providing an outlet for the creative work of many songwriters and composers. The advent of radio in
3111-587: The running time to meet a two-hour time-slot. Several other artists supported Franklin's boycott. In 2021, he was among the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame . On May 21, 2021, Franklin and American rapper Lil Baby released the song "We Win" for the soundtrack to the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy . On October 14, 2023, Franklin released his thirteenth studio album, Father's Day . On January 20, 1996, Franklin married long-time friend Tammy Collins. When they wed, they each had one child from previous relationships. As
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#17327982632473172-424: The time, to lead the choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, an industry gathering. In 1992, Franklin organized "The Family", which was a 17-voice choir , formed from neighborhood friends and associates. In 1992, Vicki Mack-Lataillade, the co-founder of fledgling GospoCentric Records label, heard one of their demo tapes and was so impressed she immediately signed up Kirk & The Family to
3233-495: The years, continuing to form the basis of Black church worship even today. It has also come to be used in churches of various other cultural traditions (especially within Pentecostalism ) and, via the gospel choir phenomenon spearheaded by Thomas Dorsey , has become a form of musical devotion worldwide. Southern afroamerican gospel groups used all–male, tenor – lead – baritone – bass quartets. Sensational Nightingales ,
3294-950: Was a crossover hit, enjoying heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels and charting at No. 1 on the R&B Singles Airplay chart for two weeks, even making it into the Top 40 . God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation was No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for five weeks, No. 3 on the Billboard 200 , and would go on to be certified 3× platinum by the RIAA . It also brought Franklin another Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, as well as three Grammy nominations. On November 2, 1998, God's Property sued Franklin. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court , alleges that Franklin induced God's Property founder Linda Searight into signing an "onerous and one-sided" contract with B-Rite Music . The Nu Nation Project
3355-436: Was a hit, as was the follow-up "Imagine Me", which made it onto the R&B charts. At the 2007 Grammy Awards , Franklin won two Grammys for Hero . Additionally, Hero was the 2007 Stellar Awards CD of the Year. Franklin's 10th album, The Fight of My Life , was released in the United States on December 18, 2007 ( 2007-12-18 ) . The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 33 with 74,000 copies sold in
3416-538: Was recorded by Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir . With production by Houston and Mervyn Warren, the composition was included on the best-selling gospel album of all time, soundtrack to The Preacher's Wife . GospoCentric's new sub-label, B'Rite, in partnership with Interscope Records brought another album in 1997, a collaboration with the vocal ensemble God's Property , aptly named God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation . The lead single, " Stomp ", featuring Cheryl "Salt" James (of Salt-N-Pepa ),
3477-858: Was released as the album's second single in 2008 and was sent to Urban AC radio on July 15, 2008. In January 2010, after Haiti had a devastating earthquake, Franklin got an ensemble of gospel artists together to sing the song he wrote, called "Are You Listening". They included Yolanda Adams , Jeremy Camp , Shirley Caesar , Dorinda Clark-Cole , Natalie Grant , Fred Hammond , Tamela Mann , David Mann , Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin , Bishop Paul S. Morton , J. Moss , Smokie Norful , Marvin Sapp , Karen Clark-Sheard , Kierra Sheard , BeBe Winans , CeCe Winans , and Marvin Winans . In 2005, Franklin appeared with his wife on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss how he ended his pornography addiction . In 2010, he published The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms ,
3538-416: Was released in 1998. The first single, " Lean on Me ", produced by Franklin and pop producer Dan Shea , featured several mainstream artists, including R. Kelly , Mary J. Blige and Bono of U2 together with Crystal Lewis and The Family. " Lean on Me " and the second single "Revolution" (featuring Rodney Jerkins ) were considerable hits, and the album contained a version of a Bill Withers song " Gonna Be
3599-481: Was released in May 2019. Long Live Love was released on May 31. In February 2019, it was announced that BET's gospel music reality competition, Sunday Best would return from a four-year hiatus. Franklin will reprise his role as host. After Trinity Broadcasting Network aired the 2019 GMA Dove Awards on October 20, 2019, Franklin commented that his acceptance speech was edited to remove comments he made in relation to
3660-601: Was released on March 22, 2011. The album features Marvin Sapp , Mali Music , Marvin Winans , John P. Kee , and Rance Allen . The first single, "I Smile", peaked at No. 85 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his first appearance on that chart in six years. In 2013, Franklin began signing artists onto his label, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, which became an imprint with RCA Records , and he has signed acts such as The Walls Group and artists like Tasha Page-Lockhart . These two artists received ten Stellar Award nominations at
3721-399: Was released on May 27, 1997. At the time of its release, urban contemporary gospel had gained massive ground in the music industry, thus sending the album to its third position peak on the Billboard 200 album chart and making it the first gospel album to top the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it reached number one on five nonconsecutive weeks. With sales of 3 million units, it
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