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13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs [πŸ“·: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Ferdie Balean, Klaus Nielsen, RODNAE Productions, RonΓͺ Ferreira, Roy Reyna via Pexels]13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs features Adam Lambert, Mariah Carey, Martin Garrix x JVKE, Metro Boomin, and Taylor Swift. 

β€œWe can beat them just for one day / We can heroes just for one day.” Yes, πŸŽ™ David Bowie, yes we can! β€œDrinking dope turned me to a superhero.” That’s sus, πŸŽ™ Future, if I’m being honest 😬 … How about one mo’?  β€œWe don’t need another hero / We don’t need to know the way home / All we want is life beyond / Thunderdome.” Oh, πŸŽ™ Tina Turner, you are the sugar honey iced tea – 🎡 β€œThe Best”! That said, it’s NOT the best that is the focus of this 18th playlist on The Musical Hype in 2023 – it’s about the HEROES, baby!

Most of the songs do feature the word HERO in their song title in some form or fashion.  That said, my boy Logic opted to cite a specific hero – 🎡 β€œBlack SpiderMan”! Besides the aforementioned musicians, 13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs features music contributions from πŸŽ™ Adam Lambert, πŸŽ™ Mariah Carey, πŸŽ™ Martin Garrix x JVKE, πŸŽ™ Metro Boomin, and πŸŽ™ Taylor Swift among others. A multi-genre list, there something for everyone on this heroic musical compendium!


1. Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown, β€œSuperhero (Heroes & Villains)”

πŸ’Ώ HEROES & VILLAINS β€’ 🏷 Boominati Worldwide, LLC / Republic β€’ πŸ—“ 2022 

Metro Boomin, HEROES & VILLAINS [πŸ“·: Boominati Worldwide, LLC / Republic]β€œDrinking dope turned me to a superhero.” Um, hmm… Producer extraordinaire πŸŽ™ Metro Boomin came out swinging on his 2022 album, πŸ’Ώ HEROES & VILLAINS, which debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  Among the highlights from HEROES & VILLAINS is the title track, 🎡 β€œSuperhero (Heroes & Villains)”, the second track on the album.  Metro Boomin produces what commences as a malicious trap production alongside πŸŽ› Allen Ritter and DAVID x ELI.

Much of β€œSuperhero (Heroes & Villains)” is dominated by πŸŽ™ Future, who is on fire from the jump during the SUPERHERO portion of the song. Yes, it is Future who asserts dope turned him into a superhero.  Beyond that absurd line, he drops no shortage of colorful, outlandish one-liners.  He’s ratchet in several instances, whether it be, β€œShout out to Dallas, my bitch is a star,” β€œBitch get graphic, fuck me in a car,” or many drug references, such as β€œSelling the bowls, bitch do yoga / I deserve awards, serving these boulders.” Even with β€˜Pluto’ putting in much of the heavy lifting, things change. Near the end of β€œSuperhero (Heroes & Villains),” there is a distinct production/beat switch, which eliminates predictability.  Sure, things were hot with Future spitting his non-transcendent $hi†, but the entrance of πŸŽ™ Chris Brown provides the opportunity for the VILLAIN to enter the picture, in all his hellishness! The πŸ† Grammy winner sings, β€œSoon as you up, these niggas wanna bring you down / The weight of the world sit on my shoulders, hold the crown / I ain’t got a cap so I can’t save you now.” Woo! 🎡 β€œSuperhero (Heroes & Villains)” = surefire Rap BaNGeR πŸ”₯!

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2. Taylor Swift, β€œAnti-Hero”

πŸ’Ώ Midnights β€’ 🏷 Taylor Swift β€’ πŸ“… 2022

Taylor Swift, Midnights [πŸ“·: Taylor Swift]β€œI have this thing where I get older, but never wiser,” πŸ† Grammy winner πŸŽ™ Taylor Swift sings on 🎡 β€œAnti-Hero,” a gem and no. 1 hit from her 10th album, πŸ’Ώ Midnights. Swift continues singing in the first verse of the single, β€œMidnights become my afternoons.” That’s just one instance of the poetry of her pen, which seems endless on this particular record.  See the second pre-chorus where she sneaks in words like narcissism and altruism perfectly. Beyond the impeccable lyricism, Swift delivers a respectable vocal backed by sound production (a fine collaboration with πŸŽ› Jack Antonoff).  The centerpiece of β€œAnti-Hero” is the chorus, something that Swift has excelled at since the beginning of her career.  In the chorus, Swift asserts, β€œI’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror / It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero.” Woo! Her honesty is epic in itself.

 

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3. Adam Lambert, β€œHolding Out for a Hero”

πŸ’Ώ High Drama β€’ 🏷 More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC β€’ πŸ—“ 2023 

Adam Lambert, High Drama [πŸ“·: More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]β€œWhere have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?” That is a legitimate question, πŸŽ™ Adam Lambert, sigh. I wish I had the answer! He goes on to sing in the first verse of 🎡 β€œHolding Out for a Hero”, β€œWhere’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?” Lambert is not the first to asks these burning questions.  That honor belongs to πŸŽ™ Bonnie Tyler, who recorded this 🎼 ✍ Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford penned record for the Footloose soundtrack in 1984.  Additionally, the hit appeared on the Welsh singer’s 1986 LP, πŸ’Ώ Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire. Lambert’s cover of β€œHolding Out for a Hero” graces his 2023 album, πŸ’Ώ High Drama.

β€œHolding Out for a Hero” suits him perfectly. Big-voiced and theatrical to the nth degree, Lambert makes this hit sound like an original. Given his prodigious vocal skills, it is unsurprising that Adam can transform a song originally sung by the opposite sex and make it work perfectly for him.  Of course, given the fact that he is openly gay, it also works seamlessly that his love interest is male (β€œIt’s gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet”). As intriguing as the verses are, it is the anthemic chorus where Adam shines his brightest: β€œI need a hero / I’m holding out for a hero β€˜til the end of the night / He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast / And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.” Besides the singing, the production (πŸŽ› Andrew Wells and Charley Bagnall) successfully reintroduces β€œHolding Out for a Hero” for the 21st century.  The synths sizzles, while the beat hits hard. 🎡 β€œHolding Out for a Hero” does not sound like an anachronism in 2023, particularly in the πŸ† Grammy-nominated pop/rock artist’s hands.

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4. Mariah Carey, β€œHero”

πŸ’Ώ Music Box β€’ 🏷 Columbia β€’ πŸ“… 1993

Mariah Carey, Music Box [πŸ“·: Columbia / Legacy]β€œThere’s a hero / If you look inside your heart / You don’t have to be afraid / Of what you are,” πŸ† Grammy winner πŸŽ™ Mariah Carey sings on one of her most beloved hits, 🎡 β€œHero.” β€œHero,” which graces her 1993 album, πŸ’Ώ Music Box, was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  To date, β€œHero” has performed in a heroic fashion, earning double platinum honors.  Furthermore, Music Box has been certified diamond (!) by the RIAA – big time!  Focusing on β€œHero,” given the inspirational and uplifting vibe, it’s unsurprising it ranks near the top of Carey’s illustrious collection.

Vocally, Mariah Carey shows everyone she possesses the voice of an angel.  She sings incredibly expressively, and you buy what she’s selling.  With a superb first verse under her belt, she keeps the uplifting vibes going strong in the second: β€œYou can find love / If you search within yourself / And the emptiness you felt / Will disappear.” Sigh, doesn’t that just make you feel some type of way – all warm, fuzzy, and encouraged inside? The crΓ¨me de la crΓ¨me – the crowning achievement – is none other than the chorus, where the heroics reach a fever pitch!

β€œAnd then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So, when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And you’ll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you.”

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5. Macklemore, β€œHEROES” (FT. DJ Premier)

πŸ’Ώ BEN β€’ 🏷 Bendo, LLC β€’ πŸ“… 2023 

Macklemore, BEN [πŸ“·: Bendo, LLC]β€œWhen I grew up, criminals were my heroes.”  Now that is quite the assertion, πŸŽ™ Macklemore! Macklemore brings the heat on 🎡 β€œHEROES”, a promo single from his 2023 album, πŸ’Ώ BEN. β€œHEROES” features incredible, old-school, dusty hip-hop production courtesy of πŸŽ› Budo (think boom bap). The beat knocks – it goes FKNG hard! Of course, it should be noted, the record samples 🎡 β€œTiger Trot” by πŸŽ™ Leroi Conroy.  Given the sample, and Budo’s own skills, the backdrop has plenty of charm, with its horns, keys, scratches.

Macklemore, "HEROES" (Ft. DJ Premiere)[πŸ“·: Bendo, LLC]Still, the star(s) are Macklemore and his featured guest, πŸŽ™ DJ Premier. DJ Premier is responsible for the chorus: β€œPick up the mic, put your money where your mouth is / Doin’ petty crimes, back in the days…” As for Macklemore, he’s on fire over the course of two verses.  He delivers an agile, aggressive flow, with plenty of personality. It all begins with that β€˜criminal’ opening line from the first verse.  It doesn’t stop there of course, as Macklemore goes in, bar after bar after bar.  Memorably, you heart it when he asserts, β€œBy sixteen, I had an MPC / (It was hip hop’s fault) That I wanted to grow up / Sell drugs, smoke blunts, drink Mad Dog and fuck.” Woo! Also memorable: β€œWanted a perm like DJ Quik / My mama said, β€˜Ben, are you aware your hair is way too thin?’” β€œHEROES” is nothing short of a vibe.  Macklemore is back, baby!


6. Lil Baby & Lil Durk, β€œVoice of the Heroes”

πŸ’Ώ The Voice of the Heroes β€’ 🏷 Quality Control Music β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Lil Baby & Lil Durk, The Voice of the Heroes [πŸ“·: Quality Control Music]β€œJust keep on bein’ the voice, I’ll be the hero / and everything I got is a profit, started with zero.” Two of the hottest rappers of the 2020s joined forces.  That’s right, πŸŽ™ Lil Baby and πŸŽ™ Lil Durk topped the Billboard 200 with their 2021 collaborative album, πŸ’Ώ The Voice of the Heroes. Of course, what better way to commence the album than with the title track, 🎡 β€œVoice of the Heroes.” β€œVoice of the Heroes” is produced by πŸŽ› TouchofTrent and Haze, who certainly fuel Baby and Durks’ fire.   

Out the gate, Lil Durk brings it strong with his agile, melodic flow.  On the first verse, he’s very honest about life, whether it’s missing his kids, seeing an uncle die, or seeing hs β€œBrother stack his bricks up and it look like Tetris.” Following the verse, Durk goes on to give us the heroic chorus, which highlights the titular lyric.  Next, Lil Baby drops his own slaughter fest, with his ever-distinct tone and compelling flow. Like Durk, he keeps things real, dropping the gem, β€œI showed all my niggas in the trenches it’s a better life / Never get too big for me to listen, I’ll take your advice.” A shorter Durk verse, followed by a shorter Lil Baby verse occurs before the chorus returns.  β€œVoice of the Heroes” is both a fine opening cut, as well as a totally, worthwhile single.

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7. Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas & Tawatha Agee, β€œZero To Hero”

πŸ’Ώ Hercules β€’ 🏷 Disney β€’ πŸ“… 1997

Disney's Hercules (Soundtrack) [πŸ“·: Disney]β€œBless my soul, Herc was on a roll.” Woo, indeed! He’s Hunk-ules with that chiseled bod and those dashing looks 😍! Some of the very best, most electrifying moments from the soundtrack to the 1997 Disney animated film, πŸ’Ώ Hercules, arrived courtesy of The Muses.  Among the best songs performed by The Muses – πŸŽ™ Lillias White, πŸŽ™ Cheryl Freeman, πŸŽ™ LaChanze, πŸŽ™ Roz Ryan, πŸŽ™ Vaneese Thomas, and πŸŽ™ Tawatha Agee – is 🎡 β€œZero To Hero.” 

β€œZero To Hero” speaks for itself.  The Muses highlight the come-up of Hercules.  The one-liners are everything. β€œHerc could stop a show / Point him at a monster and you’re talkin’ SRO.” Woo! Calliope, who sings that marvelous line, goes on to say, β€œNow he’s a honcho,” of course, after previously being a zero! Fittingly, Thalia informs us, β€œAnd they slapped his face on every vase,” echoed by Clio (β€œOn every vase!”).  Beyond the awesome lyrics celebrating this zero-turned-hero, the music is ripe, embracing R&B and gospel vibes.  One of the best moments of this classic is when The Muses turn it up another notch and β€œZero to Hero” opts for a double-time feel. Amen! 🎼✍ Alan Menken and David Zippel composed a surefire gem!

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8. Logic, β€œBlack SpiderMan” (Ft. Damian Lemar Hudson)

πŸ’Ώ Everybody β€’ 🏷 Def Jam β€’ πŸ“… 2017

Logic, Everybody [πŸ“·: Def Jam]🎡 β€œBlack SpiderMan” serves as the penultimate record on πŸ’Ώ Everybody, the third studio album by πŸŽ™ Logic.  The πŸ† Grammy-nominated rapper enlists πŸŽ™ Damian Lemar Hudson for the assist.  β€œBlack SpiderMan” features lush, gospel-tinged production work, giving the record an exuberant quality.  Logic sings respectably on the hook, over the spiritually driven backdrop. Following the spirited hook, he breaks into quick-paced, spirited rhymes.  The central theme is that everybody is included. 

β€œI ain’t ashamed to be white

I ain’t ashamed to be black

I ain’t ashamed of my beautiful Mexican wife as a matter of fact.”

It is worth noting that at the time, Logic was married someone different than he is now… Anyways, in the context of β€œBlack SpiderMan,” he continues to explore the message, adding sexuality and religion to the mix. The titular lyric arrives towards the end of the lengthy verse, with Logic changing the perceptions of familiar things, including references to black Jesus. Amen?

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9. Martin Garrix & JVKE, β€œHero”

🎡 β€œHero” β€’ 🏷 STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam β€’ πŸ“… 2022

Martin Garrix & JVKE, β€œHero” [πŸ“·: STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam]β€œCan’t you see you’re not ready? My arms are getting’ heavy from the weight of the world.” Wow, that is some heavy lifting πŸ‹οΈ! πŸŽ™ JVKE continues singing, β€œIt’s up to me and I’m getting sweaty / Is it too much to hold?” Perhaps, perhaps! Backtracking, an Enigmatic intro (β€œooh” vocals) sets the tone for 🎡 β€œHero”, a collaboration by Dutch dance/electronic producer extraordinaire, πŸŽ™ Martin Garrix (🀩) and ascending singer/producer, JVKE.  β€œHero” was released as a single in December 2022. As always, Garrix serves up terrific production wizardry, co-producing with πŸŽ› Jason Suwito, New Haven, and Brooks. The synths and sound effects are ear-catching, while the groove hits hard (when it occurs).

Shifting the focus to JVKE, once more, his vocals are gorgeous from the opening tip to the close of the track.  Some of his best moments include when he dips into falsetto – utterly sweet! The crowning achievement of β€œHeroes,” unsurprisingly, is the chorus. Here, JVKE employs more assertiveness and bite, and the production is more dynamic and grander in scheme.  You could call the chorus of β€œHero” incredibly heroic and perhaps, more importantly, CATCHY AS ALBEIT!

β€œWoah-oh, I know

Say you want a hero, you don’t

Say you want a savior, pull you off the ground

Then you wanna blame me when you’re fallin’ down

Woah-oh, I know

Don’t wanna be your hero, oh no

When’s it gonna sink in that we’re sinkin’ and fallin’ apart?

β€˜Cause love don’t last in the dark.”

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10. Alec Benjamin, β€œDeath of a Hero”

πŸ’Ώ Narrated for You β€’ πŸ“… 2018

Alec Benjamin, Narrated for You [πŸ“·: Alec Benjamin]β€œI tried to help but he said he was just too far from saving.”  One reason why 🎡 β€œDeath of a Hero” (πŸ’Ώ Narrated for You) is a magnificent record is thanks to the fact that pop musician πŸŽ™ Alec Benjamin is incredibly authentic – quite sincere. Furthermore, the theme makes β€œDeath of a Hero” a gem, with Benjamin expressing his disappointment with a role model.  We assume our role models to be saintly.  Then, what do they do? Disappoint us, forcing us to regroup and rethink everything.

β€œDeath of a Hero,” hence is a β€˜deadly’ song, metaphorically speaking.  Here, the singer/songwriter’s β€œSuperman” exhibits his unflattering side, and the image of his hero is forever tarnished.  There, my friends, is the metaphorical death.

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11. Enrique Iglesias, β€œHero”

πŸ’Ώ Escape β€’ 🏷 Interscope β€’ πŸ“… 2001 

Enrique Iglesias, Escape [πŸ“·: Interscope]πŸ† Grammy-winning Latin pop artist πŸŽ™ Enrique Iglesias is… SMOKING HOT 😍! Now that I got that out of the way, let’s focus on what truly matters – his voice. Throughout the course of his career, Iglesias has wowed with his expressive instrument.  His tone is truly radiant, particularly on arguably his best song, 🎡 β€œHero” (πŸ’Ώ Escape, 2001). Does it help that Iglesias is easy on the eyes – quite the heartthrob? Yes, by all means it does help, but he is more than his dashing good looks – he is incredibly talented.  Honestly, it is hard to believe that β€œHero” did not reach the no. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 – it settled for no. 3.  Regardless, β€œHero” spent 34 weeks on the Hot 100.

On β€œHero,” his dedication and devotion to his lover is respectable.  β€œI can be your hero, baby / I can kiss away the pain,” he sings in the chorus, continuing, β€œI will stand by you forever / You can take my breath away.” Essentially, Iglesias seems willing to die for this person. Of course, there is also sensual element as well, particularly lines like, β€œWould you tremble, if I touched your lips.” Still, the big takeaway is L-O-V-E.  This is a totally different vibe than a later Enrique Iglesias cut, 🎡 β€œTonight (I’m Fuckin’ You)” where it is clear what head Mr. Iglesias is thinking about.  More than 20 years after its release, β€œHero” remains powerful and definitely a heroic statement about love.

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12. Tina Turner, β€œWe Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)”

πŸ’Ώ Simply the Best β€’ 🏷 Parlophone β€’ πŸ—“ 1991

Tina Turner, Simply The Best [πŸ“·: Parlophone]β€œOut of the ruins / Out from the wreckage / Can’t make the same mistake this time.” For sure, πŸŽ™ Tina Turner, for sure! By the time 🎡 β€œWe Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” arrived, Turner had firmly secured her makeover as a pop/rock artist in her solo career.  πŸ’Ώ Private Dancer had arrived in 1984, a year ahead of the πŸ’Ώ Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack.  Notably, Turner was an actor in the movie (Aunty Entity) in addition to singing on the soundtrack. Of course, the song trumps everything else on the soundtrack, earning Turner another huge hit (it peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100).

β€œWe Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” was written by 🎼 ✍ Graham Lyle and Terry Britten.  The backdrop is energetic, with ample rhythm, an impressive groove, and colorful instrumental cues (keys, guitars, bass, saxophone solo by 🎷 Tim Cappello). From start to finish, Tina Turner delivers her signature tone.  She is a bit more poised during portions of the verses, picking up steam on the gargantuan, anthemic chorus in all its glory.

β€œWe don’t need another hero

We don’t need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond

Thunderdome.”

Another memorable moment precedes the chorus, as Turner sings, in both verses, β€œAnd I wonder when we are ever gonna change / Living under the fear, until nothing else remains.” Also, shout out the totally turned up bridge – WOO! Adding to the distinct, memorable nature of β€œWe Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” is when a truly spirited Turner invites the children to sing.  The timbre of children’s voices just adds something extra special to so many songs, with β€œWe Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” being no exception.

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13. David Bowie, β€œHeroes”

πŸ’Ώ β€œHeroes” β€’ 🏷 Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC β€’ πŸ“… 1977 

David Bowie, "Heroes" [πŸ“·: Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC]β€œI, I will be king / And you, you will be queen,” πŸŽ™ David Bowie asserts in the chorus of 🎡 β€œHeroes”, among his most critically acclaimed and beloved songs. He continues, β€œThough nothing will drive them away / We can beat them just for one day / We can heroes just for one day.” Woo! One day is better than nothing, right? β€œHeroes” appears on Bowie’s 1977 album, πŸ’Ώ β€œHeroes”.  Is Bowie really talking about royalty and heroism? No.  He’s referencing an affair between his producer (who was married) and his girlfriend. Scandalous!

It makes sense on this 🎼 ✍ Brian Eno co-write that this relationship can’t possibly be permanent. Need I reiterate that πŸŽ› Tony Visconti was married! That is often the case with affairs, who’s secrecy is often revealed to catastrophic repercussions.  Regardless, Bowie sings in impassioned fashion, eventually belting about the possibility of one day of lover’s bliss, uninterrupted,  sigh. Furthermore, he hopes for more, given the fact β€œWe can beat them forever and ever.” The energy and the sheer expression of his vocals is awe-inspiring, earning the characterization by some that this is the David Bowie performance to beat. Among the most memorable lyrics appear in the third verse, citing the incident in which Bowie witnessed the affair this song is based on:

β€œI, I can remember (I remember)

Standing by the wall (By the wall)

And the guns shot above our heads (Over our heads)

And we kissed as though nothing could fall (Nothing could fall).”

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13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs [πŸ“·: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Alec Benjamin, Bendo, LLC, Boominati Worldwide, LLC / Republic, Columbia, Def Jam, Disney, Interscope, Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC, More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC, Parlophone, Quality Control Music, STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam, Taylor Swift; Ferdie Balean, Klaus Nielsen, RODNAE Productions, RonΓͺ Ferreira, Roy Reyna via Pexels]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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