Get all 9 Kabir Sen (MC Kabir) releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Man of the People (Song for Biko), Honestly, The Good Life (If You Only Knew), No More Excuses, Olympic Gold, The Time is Now, Peaceful Solutions, Fuel for the Fire, and 1 more.
1. |
Why?
02:44
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"Why?" - written by Kabir Sen ©2020
Why is this so hard?
why can’t I play my cards?
why am I on edge?
and why are you on guard?
why am I so scarred?
I’m broken like a shard
I’m warm on the outside but inside I’m all charred
Why is this the case?
Why is this my space?
Why is your aggression so blatantly misplaced?
Why do you just run from every obstacle you face?
Why not value life?
You treat it like a waste
Why is it a race?
Why not take your time with it
Why is he so wishy-washy when she’s so committed?
Why despite the evidence won’t you just admit it?
And why are the guilty acquitted when they did it?
Why do you care what people think - you’re on the brink
And why act like you’re afloat when you’re really about to sink?
And why does it feel better if you pour yourself a drink?
And why not take that shower since you obviously stink!
And why are we not able to agree? It’s imperative
But people twist facts to shape their own narrative
Your fake news is embarrassing, I’ll focus on my parenting
A wife and three kids in the ‘burbs, I have everything
And why does it get harrowing when life is souring?
Find a way to march on through, it’s empowering
Why do I write? Ideas I’m devouring
The concept is a seed, give it water, now it’s flowering
Why is power something that the evil just must grab?
And why is freedom something that not all of us can have?
Why are people scared of views that differ from their own?
And why are we threatened by what’s foreign or unknown?
Why can’t we control the pain? We do it to ourselves,
Why do we care more about our iPhones than we do about our health?
And why do all opinions seem to fall on party lines?
And why even argue when we won’t change our minds?
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2. |
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The Good Life (If You Only Knew) - written & produced by Kabir Sen ©2020 www.kabirsen.com
If you only knew the pain that I feel,
I love life but bleed pain and the struggle is real
And no, I won't keep it concealed
Twist the cap, pour it out, it'll all be revealed
(If you only knew) all the love that I have
Whether happy or sad, through the good and the bad
And no, I can't keep it contained
From the sun or the rain, the joy or the pain
(If you only knew) my commitment to you
Is tried and true, look at all we've been through
And no, to be real, this really ain't nothin new
My life is the scenery, I'm loving the view
(If you only knew) the song is a canvas
Making sense of the world as I understand it
Put my love into my music, while keeping it candid,
Being true to myself is what I'm demanding....
Livin' the good life here and now
Straight to the top, we'll show you how
Livin' the good life here and now (hey hey)
Makin' it through all the highs and lows
Where does it lead? No one knows
Livin' the good life here and now (hey hey)
If you only knew the things that I see
The music I make are different pieces of me
Whether written or free,
Spittin’ bars, singing songs or playing the keys
(If you only knew) the chances I take, the risk involved, the choices I make
And I can't take a break because I'm headed to the party and I'm coming for cake
(If you only knew) how I pulled light from the darkness, blood from the stone, love from the heartless,
I try to stay true to myself as an artist,
And I give and get love regardless
(If you only knew) how I made it through
with the loss of a parent it's apparent and true
And I try to keep it positive with all that I do
Because the strength in me sees the power in you
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3. |
Better Review
02:55
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Welcome to my mind, the real the unkind
You fiend for that life now you’re falling way behind
Welcome to my thoughts concepts are my sport
And I’m dribbling off the court, out of bounds, abort!
Brand new mission, brand new vision
Brand new concepts, same old decisions
Regardless of the cash flow you still need wisdom
Reach for the stars escape from your prism
Dancing and laughing in the rain to the rhythm
Blastin' that boombox with the bumpin' system
Radio Raheem style, no way you could miss 'em
Do the right thing with opportunities given
Let the rhythm hit em like Eric B & Rakim
Knock em out like concussions, you remember nothin’
I think we better review the way to make it all new
So many different directions that I’m taking a tune
The night was dark so now I’m makin’ a moon
Shine light on the shadows, help me find my way through (x2)
Shrodinger’s big beats Markham like Pigmeat
Lyrics from the spirit watch em blossom like a fig tree
Nurture it, water it, attention? They get all of it
My songs are adventures that I’m living and recording in
Tensions rise like countries that are bordering
People we must rise, it’s no surprise that there’s more to win
Acting inhumane is commonplace, such a shame
That we can’t use our brain, see there’s so much more to gain
But the rain keeps pouring down with negative news and negative views,
Times are dark we better get through
Superiority? They think they’re better then you
But they’re acting like rookies, what would veterans do?
I think we better review the way to make it all new
So many different directions that I’m taking a tune
The night was dark so now I’m makin’ a moon
Shine light on the shadows, help me find my way through (x2)
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4. |
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Workin' on my craft again and again
Express myself with a mic or a pen
Guitars and keyboards, the drums and the bass
A fusion of elements we runnin' the place
Man I'm a lucky dude
Doing what I do
I won't tell you the ending
And ruin what you knew
Writin' rhymes in Davis
Call me Miles, kind of blue
Thanks for coming to my jam
on your own, glad i reminded you
Blinded you with a deer-in-highlights type of flow,
I'm older but I'm colder rockin' Boulder, Colorado!
Grab a bottle, let's toast to this moment right here lets own it, make peace with my opponents
My condolences to everyone who' grieving
With a loss and a hole in your heart, don't stop believing, keep breathin',
Livin', lovin', kissin', huggin'
And if you can't laugh at yourself you're missin' somethin'
I crushed a show and my blood was pumping,
The bass was fatter than a Peking dumpling
I don't know much but i'll tell ya one thing
Dudes were jumpin' and the mood was somethin'
I see so much beauty in this life that we're living,
And it's dope that we're givin' it a chance
And the rhythm is a dance through the confines of space and time,
Sitting by the pool while you taste the wine,
I wasted mine, another lost soldier,
Brush it off your shoulder, that's what he told ya,
This is rap yoga stretching from here to Angola,
Venomous flows Call me the king cobra
The things over but we'll do it again
Make more friends play music again,
But it's time for me to me say peace, yes I gotta leave
And I got a lotta thangs that I'm trying to achieve
Bellamy beats that you wouldn't believe
Lyrics in my memory bank I will retrieve
Believe I'm attackin' it, yes it's clearly happenin'
Keep your ears clear cuz Kabir's always smashin' it!
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5. |
There's a Feeling
03:28
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There's a feeling and it's blowing through the valleys,
And climbing over mountains as it makes it way to you
And it's a feeling that flew right through the forests like words from every chorus of a song that still feels new
There's a feeling and it's rolling down the river
Through ravines and under bridges as it makes its way on through
Yes it consumes me and fills me with emotion
As it's headed toward the ocean in a sea of love for you
And no one can stop the time
Lets make sure we enjoy the ride
And through the pain we'll make it there
When it seems too much to bear
Let the love run through your heart and mind
There's a spirit and it's blowing through the city,
Over rainbows bright and pretty, it surrounds the people there
It bobs and weaves between the buildings and the shadows,
Through the streets so straight and narrow and into the evening air
Gone was the danger that left us feeling stranger,
That bitter tasting flavor was finally contained
Yes this was different, see the beauty in the distance,
It conquered your dark resistance, and just the light remained
And no one can stop the time
Lets make sure we enjoy the ride
And through the pain we'll make it there
When it seems too much to bear
Let the love run through your heart and mind
There's a feeling and it's blowing through the valleys,
And climbing over mountains as it makes it way to you
It's a feeling that flew right through the forests
Like words from every chorus of a song that still feels new
There's a feeling and it's rolling down the river
Through ravines and under bridges as it makes its way on through
Yes it consumes me and fills me with emotion
As it's headed toward the ocean in a sea of love for you
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6. |
My Little Ethan
03:24
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My little Ethan I can't believe you're speakin'
I've been writing this song in my mind for weeks and weeks and
Months go by, weekdays and lots of weekends
I gotta get it out so you can hear it through the speakers
My little Ethan, into the room you're sneakin'
You're coming in with that cheeky grin, you're creepin'
And when things don't go your way, yup you're weepin'
Or that's what you want us to think
You caught us sleepin'
And the world is so new and exciting
So inviting, I'm imagining that smile as I'm writing this
you're lookin round to see who's payin' attention, a real jokester, sharp as a tack not to mention
your love for hide and seek
Ideas you try to speak
And the way you put those steps together was quite a feat, quite a treat to watch you grow
And this I surely know That you're gonna keep shining I can see it in your glow so...
My little Ethan, what's that you eatin'
You dropped your cookie on the floor
and now you're freakin
Your eyes close tight, you frown, your body weakens
Collapse on the floor once more, it's worth repeating
Nothing can stop you when you want "Mo' Mickey Mouse"
Those tantrums were real when we pulled your binky out
You like to shake your head and yell "no" with a big grin
You love to dunk, shoot, kick, it's slick how you always win
Hungry hippos plus those magnet tiles
Build a city out of lego that could take a while
We give a yard but you take a mile, how does he do it with that cheeky smile?
You’re always changing, I’ve been rearranging
While staring deep into the truth
that I’m engaging
Your mom and dad love you even when you’re raging, And Eva and Julia too (so amazing sample)
My little Ethan I can’t believe you’re three and
I’m watching with pride as you grow every season,
Years go by and there must be a reason
Why this song has been hard to write despite my freedom
My little Ethan you’re growing up and reaching new heights as you’re learning what your family’s teaching, our time together is exactly what I’m needing, we curled up on the couch with a book and started reading
This time is important I can’t believe you’re four and I’ve been watching you walk and talk more and more and
You love those dinosaurs what’s mine is yours, your opportunities will come in time just find the doors, and walk right through, so you can find some more, tomorrow’s never promised, live your life, time is short!
I said walk right through so you can find some more, tomorrow’s never promised, live your life, time is short!
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7. |
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My mind is a traveling tour,
It never settles for less, always askin’ for more
It flies over cities and fields,
When it’s with me it feels inescapably real
I’m all done holdin’ it back I let go and in fact
That’s what keeps me in tact
Liberation is a beautiful thing
Make the music just sing with the life that it brings
Another Saturday night and another show
I go for mine I’m not affected by where others go
Makin’ music for my sisters and my brothers yo
Tracks for the children, their fathers and their mothers know
I’m on a roll with the music from my soul
The lyrics from my heart, following the art
And let it take me places so far from the start
The horse before the cart, the sum before the part
My mind is a traveling tour,
It never settles for less, always askin’ for more
It flies over cities and fields,
When it’s with me it feels inescapably real
I’m all done holdin’ it back I let go and in fact
That’s what keeps me in tact
Liberation is a beautiful thing
Make the music just sing with the life that it brings
Like Nas “it was written,” but it’s time to edit now
So many different ways that I could’ve said it now
I can’t remember so you might as well forget it now
Lost forever, you really shouldn’t sweat it now
Heart pounding, call the paramedics now
You wanna shout and yell, so just let it out
You got ideas better make sure that you get em out
They stuck around in your mind and then they headed out
My mind is a traveling tour,
It never settles for less, always askin’ for more
It flies over cities and fields,
When it’s with me it feels inescapably real
I’m all done holdin’ it back I let go and in fact
That’s what keeps me in tact
Liberation is a beautiful thing
Make the music just sing with the life that it brings
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8. |
Can't Find Ground
03:08
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Lost in a vortex, no escape
Can’t tell what’s real or fake
And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
Lost down in the depths of the sea
Can’t locate you or me
And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
Calm down, breathe a little
Don’t frown weave a riddle
Words are the bow, my mind is the fiddle
I found these lyrics in the middle of the road
They were looking lost and tryin’ to hitchhike home
So I took em on a ride with my mind
A flight up right up to the planets
I got control like Janet, you’ll never understand it
But the power of my mind, I won’t take it for granted
I’m a junkie for jams to be candid
My testimony’s strong it won’t be recanted
My musical ideas are seeds to be planted
I sprinkle ‘em around the garden, then I vanish
You’ll be nourished, soon to flourish, filled with courage
Eat your porridge, scratch the surface, don’t be nervous, it’s time to find your purpose, but in earnest it is worth it, you really should unearth it, that’s for certain, be your best version of a person….
Lost in a vortex, no escape
Can’t tell what’s real or fake
And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
Lost down in the depths of the sea
Can’t locate you or me
And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
album 7 type longevity
Such a treat, the beat creates chemistry
Don't bunsen burn your bridges, that's really not good business,
Being real with you will be my legacy
Stay away from bitterness and jealousy
Yeah I'll kill' em with kindness and pleasantries,
Thich Nhat Hanh of hip hop bout to drop
A few jewels with dope rhymes and melodies
People rock to the rhythm and the remedies
And the times? We try to stay ahead of these,
but we never over-hype, just reach for new heights
in our quest to write songs successfully
Capture a feelin' so heavenly,
rhymes are rivers flowin' endlessly,
they curve and bend, they swerve and blend fiction with a dose of reality
Lost in a vortex, no escape
Can’t tell what’s real or fake
And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
Lost down in the depths of the sea
Can’t locate you or me
And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
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9. |
One of a Kind
03:12
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When I was 8 years old you left us
But time passed and now I realize how much you blessed us
You gave me life and showed me what it means to love
You taught me kindness and exactly what that was
And even though these words sting and they hurt to write
And even though denial made me the first to fight my inner feelings,
Now I just can’t hold them in
And I surely wish I could feel all your warmth again
But I can’t, all I’ve got are these memories
So I keep reflecting light, I won’t let them be my enemies
I tell my kids about you and they’ll learn eventually
How much the loss of someone effects you mentally
They’ll also learn all about how much you meant to me
And how an indestructible strength was sent to me
A sense of power, the feeling of invincibility
The trauma subsided in the face of my humility
Her name was Eva, she was one of a kind
Grace, intelligence and beauty combined
And I can’t leave the feeling behind
So I do my best to reimagine her with my mind
When you left I felt the pain so heavy in my chest
A sickness and a sorrow that never left I guess
We moved from London and we headed west
Across the pond to Boston, a new address
I was still a mess and in deep distress
But I turned the pain to power and I worried less
Perhaps I let it sink in the sea, depressed
Or maybe I was just tired of feeling stressed
I started writing songs and I felt possessed
Music gave meaning to the meaningless
I dealt with some emotions, others were suppressed
And today these lyrics deal with what was not addressed
I refuse to care who feels it or who’s not impressed
I’m dealing with these feelings that must be expressed
I hope these words give strength to those who feel oppressed
And that they can deal with pain in ways that suit them best
Her name was Eva, she was one of a kind
Grace, intelligence and beauty combined
And I can’t leave the feeling behind
So I do my best to reimagine her with my mind
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10. |
Taking Back the Power
03:00
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I'm taking back the power, rip and I devour
Come and smell the flowers, making beats for hours
Heating up the flour, we rise like yeast
Kabir on the mic, Ben supplies the beats (x2)
Yeah I put my name in it, I'm here to stay in it
Watch me as a lay in it, got a sick way with it
Musically committed, delivered and admitted
Never wanna quit it, damn right I did it
Yo I done done it, Hun, I run run it
Yup you're fair game about to be hunted
You stopped evolving, your growth got stunted
It was only second down but your kicker still punted
Words I utter, soon you will discover
The force of a first course, ready for another?
Sing for your supper, cut like an upper
Don't be a downer, I can hear you mutter
I can hear the rain as it drips from the gutter
Elegant eloquence even when i stutter
I can bring the 9 iron, you can bring the putter
My golf game's weak but my rap game's butter
From Calcutta to London to Rome
Back to the city that I now call home
Beantown, Boston, write it in a poem
You see opportunity lost and unknown
I see opportunity found and full grown
Yes it's the freshness, I call it my own
I let my mind travel down a lonely road,
Soaking up truth before I come home
I'm taking back the power, rip and I devour
Come and smell the flowers, making beats for hours
Heating up the flour, we rise like yeast
Kabir on the mic, Ben supplies the beats (x2)
Yeah I put my name in it, I'm here to stay in it
Watch me as a lay in it, got a sick way with it
Musically committed, delivered and admitted
Never wanna quit it, damn right I did it
Yo I done done it, Hun, I run run it
Yup you're fair game about to be hunted
You stopped evolving, your growth got stunted
It was only second down but your kicker still punted
Put it in a drawer, shove it in a folder
Organize now, do what she told ya
Get my act together, busy man getting older
Gotta find the beauty lying in the eyes of the beholder
Put it in gear, it's Kabir with that new new
Activate flow, get it, go, coming to you
Better be prepared for the air and the juju
Jujitsu with the rhymes givin' fits to
Any amateur that simply can't handle the mic in a way that we'd like
Can't hold a candle to my homies on my left and my right
Can't even comprehend the ways that we light up the night, what a sight
Shine bright, connect the world like computers and Skype
Rhyme right, don't get lost and all confused in the hype
Quite nice to take part in all the things that you like
Quite right to make art with the music and mic
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11. |
Last Resort
02:27
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Last resort, we're passed retorts
Doin' it big, there's no remorse
Skywalker on the mic watch me use the force
Obi-wan with the guidance to keep you on course
Not the droids you're looking for? I found the source
That keeps the crowd hype, rocking back and forth
Slicker than your average on passed reports
But you can't compute, that's what math was for
And if you can't get enough, better ask for more
Gotta grind it out, that's the task for sure
And if you don't have a shot you should pass the ball
No need to be a hero and outclass them all
Yo it matters how you act at the casting call
So dust yourself off from that nasty fall
When you tripped and fell and you hit the wall
When you turned the key but the engine stalled
It's your life don't throw it away
Take chances before the wind blows it away
What you knew in yesteryear, do you know it today?
Here they're everywhere you mind going astray, I know it's OK (x2)
Life, I know it's kind of hard right?
Deal, make sure to play your cards right
Survive, cause this is surely our fight
Shine, your solar power star bright
Persevere when someone might derail you
Communicate when someone might have failed you
Believe in yourself and then they will too
Stay positive even if it kills you
High beam your attitude through the dark nights
And don't get too down about the stop lights
We're in some tough times but still we've got fight
And we won't over-react if we're not right
We just "push it along" like Phife and Tip
Make beats, sing songs, watch us write and rip
An old formula with a tightened grip
Poetic mojitos would you like a sip?
It's your life don't throw it away
Take chances before the wind blows it away
What you knew in yesteryear, do you know it today?
Here they're everywhere you mind going astray, I know it's okay (x2)
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12. |
Keep on Keeping on
03:01
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How did you, how did you,
How did you give it all away? (x2)
How did you give it all away on that day?
An explanation so hard to convey in that way
And how did you summon up the strength, it's intense
How did you decide it was time to go the length?
You swung for the fence and the outcome was immense
But you could not simmer down when you were feeling tense
And you can't tell us now, you left us in suspense
We tried to find out why but it really makes no sense
How did you decide it was time to end the ride?
Was it many different forces that combined to collide?
Did you feel unsuccessful with something that you tried?
And you couldn't turn the tide because something in you died?
Troubles multiplied but you bottled them inside
And the divide between you and happiness got so wide
People asked you what was up and you smiled and you lied
And said everything was fine until they found out you had died
How did you give it all away?
How did you, how did you,
How did you give it all away? (x2)
Head ready, heart heavy, feeling so isolated
Back and forth in your mind, pros and cons you debated
And you waited for a time when you weren't so deflated
But you hated all the things in life that you created
Frustrated while everyone around you seemed elated,
Highly animated, everything they say is overstated
And everything you say leaves you empty, humiliated
Confidence shattered, swag obliterated
The pursuit of happiness is a long winding road
Surround yourself with others who can help share the load
And there's no shame in sadness when you feel all alone
We all feel pain, some we brush off, some we own
I told you this on "Circles" and I meant it too
If you know what you love, you should do what you do
And if you feel like giving up, we all stand up and say
Get help, life is precious, don't give it all away
Now don't you, now don't you
Now don't you give it all away (x2)
Keep on keeping on
Keep on keeping on....
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13. |
People Stand Up
03:21
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Rise and rise,
Rise and rise and rise
People stand up, the youth are rising
Active and aware, uncompromising
Thoughtful, intelligent, elegant and eloquent
Speaking out for truth, standing up for the youth
Challenging the status quo with the baddest flow
Brightening the spirits of where the saddest go
I'm frightening with lyrics, hip hop animal
This song is the antidote consisting of candid quotes
And long-handed notes of verses that I wrote
And some drums that we sampled because they sounded dope!
The youth took my bad mood and turned it into hope
They turned an uphill climb into a downward slope
I'm just trying to cope and dodge the asteroids
And make a better life for my wife, girls and boy
A little break from the strife that tried to kill my joy
Problems that emerge get served and destroyed
Rise and rise,
Rise and rise and rise
Rise and rise and rise and rise
Rise and rise and rise and rise and rise and rise
People stand up, the youth are sick of the nonsense
Sick of fear mongering, where is your conscience?
We know you wanna hide behind the second amendment
We know you'll stop at absolutely nothing to defend it
Kids getting killed ain't enough to upend it?
Schools getting shot up ain't enough to mend it?
Sending thoughts and prayers won't calm the static
When a fanatic acts erratic with a semi-automatic
Tragic that we can't make progress on this issue
When big business runs the show they're not with you
NRA lobbyists - we'll never forgive you
For choosing guns over lives even when people die
The CDC can't study gun violence
When the research is halted in an attempt to silence
Now we can't get the data, let alone apply it
I guess they'd rather I just shut my mouth and be quiet (but we)
Rise and rise,
Rise and rise and rise
Rise and rise and rise and rise and rise
Rise and rise and rise and rise and rise and rise
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Kabir Sen (MC Kabir) Boston, Massachusetts
Kabir Sen (AKA "MC Kabir") is a hip hop/soul artist, music teacher, singer, emcee, songwriter and producer from the Boston area. He has worked with many hip hop luminaries over the years and performs regularly with "The Krush Faktory" at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge (1st Saturday of every month) and at Bull McCabes Pub in Somerville every Thursday night. His 7 albums are all available here! ... more
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