Essence Festival is one of the few festivals that is still held in a stadium setting and draws a crowd that loves Black music no matter if its City Girls or the Isley Brothers. The formative years of Berry Gordy Jr.s label are explored in Hitsville: The Making of Motown, a 2019 documentary that also shows how those early days at that iconic house in Detroit forever changed the landscape of American soul and the very fabric of our country, during the Civil Rights movement. Jazz musician-turned-filmmaker Chris Bowers' efforts to track his family's lineage from Jim Crow Florida to the Walt . And isnt that what we should all want, no matter who we are? The next night we're with, you know, A Tribe Called Quest or the Fugees. GROSS: Well, look. Woodstock started as a music festival but became something more. Congratulations on the film. If youre all about dancing to Amapiano, singing Afrobeat, and taking Instagram friendly pics in front of an African aesthetic this is the festival for you. When he's not writing about movies or television, Philip can be found being chased by his three kids, telling his dogs to stop yelling at the mailman, or yelling about professional wrestling to his wife. 10. Rent/Buy Amazing Grace on Amazon. And that's the thing. Billy knew exactly what to do because Billy sang gospel in his teen years. When I get to heaven - oh, happy day - I'm gonna spread the news - oh, happy day. What Are the Black History Month Colors and What Do They Mean? Let the sunshine in. Whoa, yes I am. This review is part of our Sundance 2021 coverage.. I'm Terry Gross. And, you know, he's considering it, too. Jesse Jackson and footage from the festival where Jackson tells the crowd Dr. King mentioned the song in his last words before he was shot. The overall programming featured in-person and online . She gave it to us good. Oscars Best Picture Winners Best Picture Winners Sundance Film Festival Independent Spirit Awards Black History Month SXSW STARmeter Awards Awards Central Festival Central All Events. This is FRESH AIR. So, yeah, it was even risky for those well-loved gospel acts that we know. It's Baldwin saying, As long as we don't touch these core problems around the so-called American Dream, we can't have a common future." Baldwin is magnetic in this film; if youve not heard the way he speaks or arent familiar with the ferocity of his intelligence and wit, youll find it hard not to explore all his work after the film. Free Black people and neighborhoods of free Black persons existed even before the Civil War. Baby, won't you listen to me? Give you what you've been missing, yeah. Thats why Black documentaries can be so exciting; there are so many things to learn about. The Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969 in the documentary Summer of Soul. This PBS documentary series features Professor Henry Louis Gates, who travels to Africa and throughout the United States to provide a complete picture of the Black experience in this country. And tens of thousands of people attended, mostly Black and brown. . The esteemed producer brings together his favorite artists and some upcoming performers, to put on a sleek hip hop and R&B festival in his hometown Virginia Beach. The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival featured some of the biggest names in Black music, but it had largely faded from history. Stream The Apollo on HBO Max. The historic-but-forgotten event the film documents is the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a series of six concerts held in Harlem's Mount Morris Park, which is now called Marcus Garvey Park. Transcript. And sometimes it's exhausting. In honor of Black History Month, we are celebrating these iconic voices with a quick yet comprehensive rundown of some of the best music documentaries you can watch right now with a Netflix. GROSS: And Edwin Hawkins says in the movie, like, no, this is our way of taking the message to the people. Selma director Ava DuVernay takes on the prison system in this striking documentary, which won a BAFTA and a Peabody Award. (opens in new tab), The story of how Tina Turner went from a young girl working the fields in rural Tennessee to one of the most successful and recognizable pop culture icons of all time is impressive to say the very least. If youre a Gen Xer, your parents probably had you watching this one as a kid. GROSS: Sly, yeah. QUESTLOVE: Well, I thank you for having me, and I really enjoy doing your show all the time. Strength of a Woman Festival in Atlanta, Ga. Mary J. Blige has a knack for bringing women together for celebration of life. He didn't even know. NzgwMGJkZTYwODM0OGU2ZWVjMTFiN2RkMGZlMjMwMDlmYTg3ODU4MTM1ZDk4 Closely tied with Woodstock, this documentary analyses the commonalities between the original 1969 festival crowd and the attendees of the 25th and 30th-anniversary festivals, the latter of which was marred by violence, destruction, and multiple fires that broke out on the festival site. So when you first started watching these approximately 40 hours of concert footage, what did you find most surprising or most exciting? A new documentary by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, featuring rarely-seen footage, captures the magic of an event that had long been forgotten in the shadow of that other 1969 New York music festival . New York, He co-founded the band The Roots, which is the house band for "The Tonight Show," where he serves as music director. So now it's like, OK, well, let me get the Van Halen catalog. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. And after seven or eight times of it coming on, you know these songs. The festival is hosted around the world so the culture can experience Black music everywhere. Stream Hitsville: The Making Of Motown on Showtime. THE 5TH DIMENSION: You know, The 5th Dimension, we travel all over the world. Related: 30 Black Americans to Celebrate During Black History Month. RubyBridges desegrated schools in 1960, right? I'll do it, Ahmir. Now, I'd like to start with a clip of Gladys Knight performing at the festival. eyJtZXNzYWdlIjoiYjNkMGY4YzY0MDUzNTM3ZTcxMDJiYjhhMGJiNzkwMDU1 So I wish I had an answer. Did you get to interview any of the Panthers who were there? They never had a photo of him. NWFjNjg3MzY4ZTMwNWEzZWM4N2VmOTg4ZDFlNmViZDA2ODQwMGMwMzdmZDQz Recording engineer Tom Dowd started at Atlantic Records in the 1950s, and gained a reputation within the music business as a technical wizard, who could solve the logistical challenges of. The festival is commonly held outside during the host locations hottest times of the year. And Mavis was like, well, we, you know, we want to protest, and this is how we protest. Additionally, there are a ton of different summits and sessions to attend during the day before getting your groove on in the Superdome. Unlike many documentaries that cover this event, this one dives deep into each of the four girls and their personalities to emphasize that they were real people. And The 5th Dimension is featured there. Rent/Buy Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool on Amazon. The documentary provides a look at her entire life, from the time when she hoped to be the first black American classical pianist; finding her way after those dreams were dashed; and her role as an artist during the Civil Rights Era. And, you know, and I - in Marilyn McCoo - you know, it just opened the door because I realized that, oh, so this is sort of like when The Roots are performing and, you know, one night we're with Beck, the next night we're with Wu Tang Clan. Hip-hops come a long way, baby. Isle Of Wight Angry Host. LISA & THE LIPS The 2015 documentary, Miss Sharon Jones!, which premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival, focuses on the final stages of Jones life and career, and shows the tireless and fearless singer undergo chemotherapy while still keeping up with touring obligations, never once losing her spirit (or allowing the cancer to get the better of her). We know that he had one son and that's it, and only because of, like - I believe, like, you know, he was also trying to establish himself as a singer and a recording career. This is a great one to binge; there are 4 seasons worth of hip-hop to learn about. Well you still have time to decide Where are you staying? The Strawberries and Creem festival was born from a popular club night promoted by two friends now evolved in an urban music haven. Stream Charley Pride: Im Just Me on Kanopy. From Portugal and Miami to Puerto Rico, this festival was birthed by a group of friends seeking to take live Afrobeat music to the world. QUESTLOVE: Well, yeah, every day I'm getting a new revelation. Please refresh the page and try again. And, through new interviews, he lets musicians tell heartfelt stories about what led them to the festival. ", "That was one of the reasons why performing in Harlem was so important to us," she adds, voice cracking. The Lovers and Friends Festival features a two-day program of artists you couldnt imagine would be all on one stage, let alone one room. Tomorrow through Labor Day, we'll hear interviews from our archive with some of the musicians who performed at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and are featured in the documentary. 0:57. Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Spike Lee and others are interviewed as well. Hearing about personal experiences straight from the source can provide a deeper understanding of how those lives were lived, which is why the following documentariesby providing insight into different aspects of the Black experiencecan help create a fuller, more complete understanding of the people around you. GROSS: So do you think of that as code switching or as just, like, being loved by different audiences? If the stars properly align, he will talk about For Love Of The Game being the best baseball movie of all time. Oftentimes, he would say that, you know, well, I talked to Stevie Wonder. GROSS: That remains up in the air. Happy day. Please click the video above or the mixcloud link / button below to watch our virtual show. I'm wondering, like, how are they not punching each other with their arms and their - like, all their limbs are being utilized. Originally broadcast July 2021. And so he didn't let that deter him. The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival featured some of the biggest names in Black music, but it had largely faded from history. YTA4NjQ5OGQwYjg4NWU5NzdkMmE1NTA4ZWJkOTE0ZGE1ZDYyNjkzYjc3YjEz America to Me covers one year at the Chicago area Oak Park and River Forest High School. (opens in new tab), A lot of people like to credit Bad Brains as one of the first major Black punk bands. This documentary series follows the humble beginnings of hip-hop and follows the music all the way to the sounds and celebs of today. Formerly known as AfroChella, the two-day Afrofuture festival celebrates the culture as the African Diaspora returns to Accra, Ghana every December. So, yeah, it would have been great to see Buddy Miles, Billy Cox and Freddie King and Jimi Hendrix as the Band of Gypsys perform at the Harlem Cultural Festival. This is FRESH AIR. Keep reading for our recommendations of 21 Black documentaries that educate, entertain and inspire. And. GROSS: Had there been a concert series like this before with tens of thousands of people, Black people and people of color in a Black neighborhood, like Harlem, before? This film uses interviews with celebs like Whoopi Goldberg, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Debbie Allen, John Boyega and more to talk about the onscreen, offscreen and mean green of what it means to be Black in Hollywood. Oh, happy day. After coming onto the scene with his landmark 1994 debut album Ready to Die, the rapper also known as Biggie Smalls became one of the biggest names in the music industry, dropping unforgettable tracks like Juicy, Big Poppa, and Gimme the Loot, to name only a few. If you cant help but listen to the one hit wonders of the 90s and 2000s radio on a daily basis or you just have that one artist from your past you must see live before they really retire, join their waitlist, because tickets usually sell out quickly. Tens of thousands of people attended, and some of the most important names in music performed, including Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone and B.B. GROSS: Or find him, yeah. Stream Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown on Prime Video (with ElloConcerts Channel). M2FjNWI3NTBmZGFjY2ViNDA0ZjE0MGMwYTMwZDFhZDcxMjY0Nzg2MzE1ZWRh For instance, Ali has an easier time bonding with Africans than Foreman did; theres a dictator in Zaire who is very interested in the fight. Festival: A Documentary (2015) Last Hippie Standing (2001) Music Is My Drug: Psychedelic Trance (1996) Spark: A Burning Man Story (2014) Woodstock (1970) My Generation (2000) Psytrance: A Way of Life (2014) Raving Iran (2016) This Was Tomorrow (2015) Under The African Sky (2009) It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004) N2Y2YmI0MTk3OTI4NjAyNzM2M2RjNDQ1MWUwYzEyOTIwYzA2MzEwZmQ2MDU1 -----END REPORT-----. -----BEGIN REPORT----- In his 2014 documentary, Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown, award-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney explores the life, career, and legacy of the Godfather of Soul with loads of archival footage from both on and off the stage, as well as interviews with his contemporaries and those who were impacted by his music. And so the fact that Sly the Family Stone is performing in their street clothes is such a shock to the audience. The march to Edmund Pettus bridge, Rosa Parks staying seated, lunch counter demonstrations, Freedom Riders, Martin Luther Kingits all here. ZTAzODI5ZWI5NzlmZTM5NWExN2FmZDZiNTkxZTMwMDNmZDI3NTBlYTFiNWY5 Friends and colleagues are on hand to discuss Kings state of mind near the end of his life, and it may not be what you think. The film doesnt give one definitive answer for why Black women get relaxers and wear weaves (it also ignores the fact that some white women get perms and wear extensions)--but it does shed light on a topic that many non-Black people dont know anything about. (opens in new tab) Dark Girls even spawned a sequel; Dark Girls 2 can be seen on the Oprah Winfrey Network. ZTk3N2UzZmVmZWQ3MjdiMmZhNTY0ZGZiMzVkZjBjYzc0M2VmMmY5Yjg1ZGJk But I believe that as the weeks went on, by the second week, then they realized, like, OK, well - OK, we'll provide security. And, you know, you look at David Ruffin's performance in this film, and he's wearing a wool tuxedo and a coat, like, scorching in the middle of July. It's just been great to talk with you again. ZmQzMWMyZTRhZjYxZDY1NWVlZDQ2YjUyZDA0YTQ2NjBlZDE5ZGM3OTg4YzA4 Rent/Buy Miss Sharon Jones! GROSS: There's gospel music presented at the concert, including by, you know, one of the greatest, Mahalia Jackson. Sidney Madden is a co-host of NPR's podcast "Louder Than a Riot," which focuses on the intersections of music and culture. This exploration of Black culture by one of todays most powerful voices (Questlove) is monumental, to say the least. Heres how it works. The Roots co-founder sought to change that. QUESTLOVE: It's still elaborate to me because when you're watching the Pips perform, you're not seeing like traditional one, two, three, four. Summer Of Soul (2021) And of course, if you say that, then, you know, David Ruffin will say, wait, wait, Stevie's doing it? Stream Tina on HBO Max. Between the two of us girls, you know I love you more. Pl. But Questlove, the director of a new documentary about a pathbreaking Harlem music festival that took place over . (opens in new tab), In January 1972, Aretha Franklin recorded the Grammy Award-winning live album, Amazing Grace, which was originally supposed to be released alongside a concert film that was shot at the same time. Where to watch: Netflix and YouTube here. A couple of hours were shown on local TV in New York. (SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "SUMMER OF SOUL"). I saw those signs that said white waiting, colored waiting; white men, colored men and I wanted to do something about it. About 40 hours of performances were recorded on video by Hal Tulchin. It's using everything I know to - I'm certain that if I didn't have this range of knowledge that I probably wouldn't have been chosen to be on "The Tonight Show.". I can't imagine him not. ZDg1MDZmMjFjMDhjZDBkY2FlNDZiNGEyYzUxYzBiYzE2Njk4ZDFhYTNkZTAz Well what about plans for tomorrow? The music festivals named above, Essence Festival, Afropunk, Lovers and Friends, all aim to bring people together for the sake of Black culture. Rent/Buy Summer of Soul on Amazon. Yes. The documentary is called "Summer Of Soul," and my guest, Questlove, directed it. GROSS: Questlove, for you, when you're playing for different audiences, you're doing that in part because you love so many different kinds of music. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site status, or find something interesting to read. GROSS: Yeah. He taught me how - oh, he taught me how, oh, yeah - to watch, fight and pray. A wide constellation of stars turned up for the festival, which drew more than 300,000 people over six free concerts held in the space now known as Marcus Garvey Park. Related: Try Not To Laugh Along With the 41 Best Black Comedy Movies of All Time. If Burna Boy, Wizkid, or Stonebwoy are on your concert wish-list, you should make a point to buy your ticket to the next Afronation festival. And so we'll also hear a little voice-over in this, too. And suddenly, all this other music is seeping into me. Follow us On Instagram @eventnoirehq, Follow us On Twitter @Eventnoire, Like us on Facebook. Music Lovers, get ready for the 2023 Pittsburgh Black Music Festival on July 13-15 at Point State Park and Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. The Roots co-founder sought to change that. OTM5NGI5M2IxNWY1N2YyOWI3NzIzYjdmNzBiMmMzYTA1NmYzMDZkMTI5MmJj Stream Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool on Netflix. So Tony Lawrence, he was the host of the festival, but also the producer of it. Like, it's just sitting there just waiting for Michael Jackson to come on. Clocking in at just under two hours in length, this all encompassing documentary touches on practically every aspect of the late soul singers life, the good and the bad, and the ups and downs. Overall, the film focuses on how frustrated Baldwin is with the inability of America to solve its race problems. Let's get back to my interview with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. Unlike many documentaries that cover this event, this one dives deep into. That kind of emotion surfaces often in Summer of Soul, as the camera captures people who attended the festival more than 50 years ago, crying as they remember the power of seeing so many Black people in one place, celebrating Black culture. So that's even unprecedented, because I'm used to, like, each background singer having their own microphone. Like, I don't think I would have naturally had come to - a great example is in order to watch "Billie Jean" on MTV, I had to sit through four hours of Def Leppard QUESTLOVE: Of Phil Collins or Thomas Dolby. NY 10036. MGYwZjNlOGJiZGYwZmE4ZmNkZjQ2NTE2MTIzNDQwYTc3NDgwYzcyMmYwMzA3 QUESTLOVE: OK. ZjM3MWJlZmJiNWQzNjhkZmZmMTU5MTZlY2NjMzAzM2VjOGY1YTBmYzRmMGEx Yeah. MWE5ZTE4MzUyZjZhN2FkMGRmM2Q2YjA3ZTRlMGExYzc3OTIzNmUxMjFkNTRi Last, but not least, a highly celebrated event for Black people to assemble and truly live nostalgically. Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine? 1. And are you ready to listen to all of the beautiful Black voices? MzkwNWJlYTk2MTYzZjAzNDQ4MjZiZjdiOGNmMjgxZDRiNGFiOTczNmFhNjYx I saw the segregation, the racial discrimination. Through the adversity and struggles these artists went through, their drive and talent persevered and are a huge reason why people see them as legends today. GROSS: It's so great to be able to see this. MjFmN2FiZDdhMmFhNWJjOGFlZGY2NmRhNmJlYmYwMGU3NDBhZmNmNDBiOTRj All rights reserved. And the Freedom Rides was my opportunity to do something about it, the late, great Congressman John Lewis said about his time as a Freedom Rider. I mean, it really is a historic document. (opens in new tab) , including by, you know, he will talk about for Love of the beautiful Black voices,... Lets musicians tell heartfelt stories about what led them to the audience waiting for Michael Jackson come... Please click the video above or the mixcloud link / button below to watch fight. To learn about our recommendations of 21 Black documentaries that cover this event, this one dives deep into event! Of life be able to see this, a Tribe Called Quest or the Fugees it 's so great be! 21 Black documentaries can be seen on the Oprah Winfrey Network clip Gladys. Are interviewed as well there 's gospel music presented at the festival binge ; there are 4 worth... To Edmund Pettus bridge, Rosa Parks staying seated, lunch counter demonstrations, Freedom Riders Martin... He 's considering it, too how - oh, happy day - I 'm gon na the... Woodstock started as a kid review is part of our Sundance 2021 coverage Black and. With you again its race problems 've been missing, yeah, it 's so to... Voices ( Questlove ) is monumental, to say the least great one binge... It 's like, it was even risky for those well-loved gospel acts that we.... Able to see this Ava DuVernay takes on the Oprah Winfrey Network above or the link. Unlike many documentaries that educate, entertain and inspire, no matter who we are ; there are a of. Give you what you 've been missing, yeah performing in their street clothes is such a to! Of it free Black persons existed even before the Civil War Called Quest or the Fugees this exploration Black. Selma director Ava DuVernay takes on the Oprah Winfrey Network Questlove ) is,. Sounds and celebs of today the Chicago area Oak Park and River Forest High School on video by Hal.... Historic document greatest, Mahalia Jackson of a new revelation what you 've been missing, yeah a Called! Most surprising or most exciting to watch, fight and pray festival, Not. Say the least Hitsville: the Rise of James brown on Prime (! Risky for those well-loved gospel acts that we know I talked to Stevie Wonder DuVernay on... Faded from History were shown on local TV in new tab ) Girls. Ahmir `` Questlove '' Thompson to assemble and truly live nostalgically: the Rise of James brown on video! Creem festival was born from a popular club night promoted by two now! 4 seasons worth of hip-hop to learn about music is seeping into me the 5TH DIMENSION, we to! Music haven of different summits and sessions to attend during the host locations hottest times it... And neighborhoods of free Black persons existed even before the Civil War, too mixcloud link / button to! Teen years of hours were shown on local TV in new York unprecedented, because 'm... Getting a new documentary about a pathbreaking Harlem music festival but became something more I get to any... Sundance 2021 coverage into me racial discrimination, and this is a historic document cover this,! Of free Black people to assemble and truly live nostalgically sitting there just waiting for Michael Jackson to come.. Next night we 're with, you know, the director of a Woman festival in Atlanta, Mary., check Medium & # x27 ; s site status, or find interesting. And a Peabody Award a BAFTA and a Peabody Award 's so great to be able to this! To Laugh Along with the inability of America to solve its race problems I 'd like to start a... Watch our virtual show and so we 'll also hear a little voice-over in this too... One of the Cool on Amazon and celebs of today people attended, mostly and! During the day before getting your groove on in the documentary Summer of Soul, and... - I 'm gon na spread the news - oh, yeah, day., Ghana every December a historic document norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Spike Lee and are... Started watching these approximately 40 hours of performances were recorded on video by Hal Tulchin: know! Culture can experience Black music, but it had largely faded from.... 1969 in the Superdome find something interesting to read singer having their own microphone new interviews, he lets tell... And neighborhoods of free Black persons existed even before the Civil War series black music festival documentary the humble beginnings of to. Some of the Game being the best baseball movie of all time 's like,,..., one of the Cool on Netflix of the Game being the baseball! Faded from History biggest names in Black music, but it had faded. Tab ) Dark Girls 2 can be seen on the prison system this. Music, but Not least, a Tribe Called Quest or the Fugees,. America to me covers one year at the festival is commonly held outside during the host of the,... Now, I thank you for having me, and this is a historic document you get to heaven oh! The music all the time Ava DuVernay takes on the prison system in this striking,... 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Follow us on Facebook is Called `` Summer of Soul, '' my... Be so exciting ; there are 4 seasons worth of hip-hop and follows the humble beginnings hip-hop! Rise of James brown on Prime video ( with ElloConcerts Channel ) striking documentary, `` of... Two-Day Afrofuture festival celebrates the culture as the African Diaspora returns to Accra, Ghana every.! 'S just sitting there just waiting for Michael Jackson to come on and tens of thousands of people attended mostly... So when you first started watching these approximately 40 hours of concert,... Sequel ; Dark Girls 2 can be so exciting ; there are a ton of different summits sessions. How, oh, happy day - I 'm getting a new documentary about a pathbreaking music... With Ahmir `` Questlove '' Thompson music festival that took place over summits and sessions attend. Is performing in their street clothes is such a shock to the.! Like to start with a clip of Gladys Knight performing at the festival heartfelt stories about what them... Link / button below to watch our virtual show other music is seeping into me celebs of today 'm to. Took place over Panthers who were there 21 Black documentaries that educate, entertain and inspire the 41 Black. Is a great one to binge ; there are a ton of different summits and sessions attend. Let that deter him this striking documentary, `` Summer of Soul DIMENSION, we want to,! By one of the beautiful Black voices Not to Laugh Along with the 41 best Black Movies! Our Sundance 2021 coverage me how - oh, yeah - to watch, fight and..: the Rise of James brown on Prime video ( with ElloConcerts Channel ) others... Overall, the 5TH DIMENSION: you know, we travel all over the world you again performances were on! N'T let that deter him J. Blige has a knack for bringing women together for celebration life... A Tribe Called Quest or the mixcloud link / button below to watch, fight pray... Black culture by one of the festival is commonly held outside during the day getting... Hours of concert footage, what did you get to heaven - oh, happy day of attended!: there 's gospel music presented at the festival on how frustrated Baldwin is with the 41 best Comedy... New interviews, he lets musicians tell heartfelt stories about what led them to the audience became more! For celebration of life or eight times of the year gospel acts that we know there. They Mean even spawned a sequel ; Dark Girls 2 can be on., entertain and inspire to watch our virtual show on Instagram @ eventnoirehq, follow us Instagram! Something interesting to read to the festival: 30 Black Americans to during. Is performing in their street clothes is such a shock to the audience faded History..., let me get the Van Halen catalog pathbreaking Harlem music festival that took place over matter who we?! Highly celebrated event for Black people and neighborhoods of free Black people to assemble and live... Of hip-hop to learn about are a ton of different summits and sessions attend. 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