Bar Crawl LIVE! leads the entertainment industry and hosts themed events in multiple cities across the country. They essentially took the outdated concept of a "pub crawl" and revolutionized the new age idea of a “bar crawl” by partnering with the most popular venues, showcasing trending themes, and bringing new music to you directly.
From vibrant themes to bustling venues, Bar Crawl LIVE! is your gateway to exploring the most unforgettable bar crawl events in Cleveland. Whether you're a fan of spooky Halloween nights, spirited St. Patrick's celebrations, or Pride Month Parties, there's a Bar Crawl LIVE! Bar Crawl tailored just for you. Let’s check them out…
For over 8+ years, Bar Crawl LIVE! has brought life to the venues on West 6th St in Downtown Cleveland celebrating themes like The St. Patrick's Bar Crawl, The Pride Bar Crawl, The Halloween Bar Crawl, and The Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Bar Crawl LIVE! is always bringing you the most current crawl themes that are trending!
They specialize in transforming ordinary evenings into legendary events with a variety of themed bar crawls throughout the year. Each event is carefully crafted to offer a unique experience that resonates with the theme, ensuring a sure-fire memorable night out for everyone involved.
Bar Crawl attendees can expect a night filled with themed drinks, exclusive food and drink specials, free entry to the top venues, and an array of activities and contests designed to keep the party going from dusk till dawn.
If you want to go to the absolute, hands down, best party for the major themes and holidays, you gotta check out Bar Crawl LIVE! and get your tickets because if not, you won’t get in the event. They bring out crowds for St. Patrick’s Day & Halloween every year. Those are the biggest events of the year and our personal favorites! Cleveland's bar crawl scene is second to none, with themes that cater to everyone's taste.
Ticket holders get to enjoy unbeatable deals on food and drinks exclusive to Bar Crawl LIVE! attendees with a wristband. With special themed cocktails, discounts on favorites, and themed food specials at each venue, your taste buds are in for a treat without breaking the bank.
From costume contests to corned beef eating comptetions each event is packed with opportunities to win prizes, be the center of the show, and even have those bragging rights among your friends.
Experience the convenience of a well-planned crawl, with easy check-in, a dedicated bar wristband for accessing specials, and a digital bar list to to guide you and keep you informed about what's happening and where throughout the night. Bar Crawl LIVE! is committed to innovation, constantly seeking new ways to enhance the crawl experience with fresh themes and cutting-edge technology. Safety and enjoyment are top priorities, ensuring a carefree and thrilling experience for all participants.
You never know about crowds these days and we are sure of one thing: Bar Crawl LIVE! Makes safety their number one priority by making sure everyone is having fun in a safe way.
Let's get one thing straight... Cleveland is on the rise. And if you dont think so, that just means you need to get out more often and this article is just for you! There are a ton of different areas in the City that offer bars, pubs, taverns, and nightclubs. There are a few areas in the city that are fun to explore such as West 25th Street in Ohio City, the Flats, and East 4th Street for nightlife, however, Bar Crawl LIVE! is primarily focussed on Warehouse District on West 6th Street in Downtown Cleveland. Tthe best part about West 6th Street is that the bars are so close to one another and each bar offers a different feel, a different vibe.
Joining a bar crawl in Cleveland is as easy as showing up and letting loose. You'll be guided through the city's nightlife, with each venue offering something special to make your night extra memorable.
The unique aspect of participating in bar crawls in Cleveland is that they offer an exclusive experience, often limiting access to the bars involved. If you're looking to visit a particular bar during one of these events, you might find it challenging to do so without being part of the crawl. Bars tend to close their doors to non-participating guests, which means you're faced with a choice: pay individual cover charges at each bar or opt for a bar crawl ticket.
Choosing to pay the cover at each bar allows entry, but it comes with drawbacks. Not only will you miss out on the event's drink specials, but you'll likely encounter long lines. Furthermore, hopping from one bar to the next means paying multiple cover charges, quickly adding up in cost. This scenario makes purchasing a bar crawl ticket the more sensible option. With a ticket, you gain the convenience of a single payment for entry to all participating bars, along with the perks of special drink prices and a streamlined experience, free from the hassle of queues and repeated cover fees.
First thing is first. Once you have decided that you want to attend a bar crawl, you need to buy a ticket. Purchase tickets from Bar Crawl LIVE’s official website or the Official Bar Crawl LIVE page on Eventbrite. The closer the date gets to the event, the more ticket prices cost. We suggest getting your tickets early to avoid paying the day-of prices. Also, most bar crawl themes sell out every year so make sure to buy your tickets early to be sure to secure your spot.
Once you purchase a ticket, Bar Crawl LIVE! Will send all event correspondence via email to keep you up to date and informed. They will send you something called a Digital Bar List that shows which Bars are including on the crawl, a map of how to get to them, along with drink and food specials and other important information about the crawl. The will send this email to you a few times if you buy your tickets early to make sure you know what is going on. They will also let you know about any early registrations or exciting updates about the event via email.
Share the info sent to you via email with your friends so that they can purchase a ticket to the Crawl and help them avoid buying fake or scam tickets. Also, make sure all your friends get their tickets and understand that all participating bars are 100% exclusive to Bar Crawl LIVE! wristbands only (meaning if they don't buy a ticket before the Crawl, they won't be able to get in.)
Once you read the directions that were sent to you in an email, bring your digital ticket to registration to receive your wristband(s). You have a limited time to pick up your wristband(s) upon registration/check-in bar on the day of the Crawl. If you can't make it during the registration/check-in bar timeframe, have a friend check you in, and your friend will have your wristband for you when you arrive.
Throughout the day, you'll be hopping from one bar to another during the participating bars' time slots and enjoying the vibe of each of the venues on the crawl. If there is a costume contest, or bar crawl games on the lineup, be sure to not miss those! They always make for great people watching.
The best part about the bar crawl is that you get deals with your wristband on drinks, shots, and food. Make sure to check the Digital Bar List for specialty themed cocktails on special too. Those always elevate and make celebrating the theme more fun!
As we mentioned before, each bar has to have its own identity. Stepping into each bar gives you a taste of what that venue is all about. Check out some of the participating bars that Bar Crawl LIVE works with to get a feel for what it might be like going to a Cleveland Bar Crawl
1212 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Entering The Ivy feels like you've stepped into another world – one where lush greenery meets a cool, gangster-chic atmosphere. It's as if luxury had a baby with a mob boss's den, and honestly, we're here for it. The place just oozes 'the spot to be' vibes with its jaw-dropping decor. It's not just a bar; it's the scene of your next great night out.
1214 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Just a hop, skip, and steps down from The Ivy, and you've landed in Dive Bar – a place that's all about good vibes and throwback feels. It's like walking into a big, happy hug. With its chill atmosphere, skee-ball fun, and TVs for days, it's your go-to for sports nights or just chilling with the crew. Dive Bar is where you come to kick back, laugh, and maybe make a few new besties.
1280 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Velvet Dog is a multi-level extravaganza, each floor offering its unique experience. From the hip-hop beats on the first floor to themed seasonal transformations on the second, it's a place that celebrates in style. The rooftop, open during summer, is a coveted spot for its stunning downtown Cleveland views and social atmosphere, complete with bottle service for those special occasions.
1261 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
If 'live it up' is your motto, then Barley House is your playground. Mixing old-school charm with a buzzing party vibe, this place is the heartbeat of any celebration in town. Tailgates, birthdays, or just because it's Tuesday – Barley House is popping. And when the weather's playing nice, their patio is the place to be. Oh, and did we mention the food is straight-up fire?
1266 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Rumor is the secret sauce to our bar crawls – especially if you're all about that hip-hop life. Walking in here, the bass alone will have you hyped, ready to dance the night away in one of the coolest vibes Cleveland has to offer. Trust us, it's a game-changer for your night out.
Some of the bar crawls get so big that they need to shut the street down and throw a giant block party. Bar Crawl LIVE! turns W 6th Street into the ultimate block party central – think street vendors, food trucks, and all the fun you can handle. And let's not forget the Shamrock the Block Party – it's the bash of the year you definitely don't want to miss. Haven't got your tickets yet? What are you waiting for! Grab yours now.
If you're looking to experience Cleveland's nightlife at its finest, keep an eye on upcoming bar crawl events and themes. Whether you're marking your calendar for the next St. Patty's Day Bar Crawl, gearing up for Pride Month, or planning to don your best onesie for a unique night out, there's always something on the horizon.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends, pick a theme, and dive into the vibrant nightlife of Cleveland. With the city's Official Bar Crawl Company, every crawl is an opportunity to make unforgettable memories, meet new friends, and explore the best bars in town. Cheers to the nights that turn into stories for years to come!
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The "E-V's That Kid From Cleveland - Limited Edition Hoodie" has recently gained additional attention as NFL player Travis Kelce was seen wearing it on his most recent podcast.
This hoodie is currently available for pre-order and is a part of a limited edition release. It features a vintage feel, made from a blend of 80% cotton and 20% polyester, with a 100% cotton face, ensuring both comfort and durability. The design includes a jersey lined hood with sewn eyelets, split stitch double needle sewing on all seams, twill neck tape, and 1 x 1 ribbing at cuffs and waistband. The hoodie also features dyed-to-match drawcords, a pouch pocket, and is available in a sandstone color. It comes in a range of sizes from small to 3XL.
Pre-orders for the hoodie are exclusively available on the I'm From Cleveland website. The product is set to be shipped around February 20-22th. This release is part of I'm From Cleveland's commitment to offering exclusive and high-quality merchandise that resonates with the local culture.
For more information about the hoodie and to place a pre-order, interested customers can visit the I'm From Cleveland website here: https://imfromcleveland.com/collections/all
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It's not just Elon Musk who is moving to Texas, according to the media. Stories abound of techies, newly liberated from tiny, overpriced coastal apartments by remote work, fleeing to warmer, cheaper cities. If you believe the tech press and your social media feeds, about half of San Francisco is joining Musk in Texas.
But as lovely as Austin may be, is this story that hip, low-tax, high-temperature cities are going to be the big beneficiaries of a post-pandemic migration away from traditional tech hubs actually true?
Not according to the Big Technology newsletter from tech reporter Alex Kantrowitz. A few weeks back Kantrowitz announced he had gotten his hands on some exclusive LinkedIn data that shows the standard media narrative about where techies are heading just isn't correct.
Sorry, Austin.
The numbers in question are what LinkedIn calls "inflow/outflow" data, which take account not just of how many techies are moving into a city, but also how many are moving out. Is a particular area experiencing a net gain or loss of talent? This number will tell you. And Kantrowitz claims that if you compare this stat in 2020 to past years, the big winners in the usual media narratives actually aren't.
"Austin, for its part, is not experiencing a pandemic-induced tech worker surge. Last year, Austin was gaining 2.06 tech workers for every one that left; now it's down to 1.84, a drop of 10.78 percent. Though Austin is still gaining tech workers this year, the notion that 2020 was a watershed year for tech workers moving there is a myth," he writes.
Miami, another much buzzed about destination, is only gaining three percent more tech workers this year compared to last.
So who is actually winning the war to attract those fleeing the big cities because of the pandemic? Kantrowitz's newsletter offers all the details, but the short answer is a bunch of cities you probably haven't heard much about, including:
Madison, Wisconsin (which saw a whopping 74 percent increase in the inflow of tech workers)
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Sacramento, California
- Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota
- Hartford, Connecticut
The larger lesson
Kantrowitz's newsletter is worth a read if you're looking for a deep dive into the data and its implications, but the biggest takeaway is probably also the simplest: take media trend stories with a grain of salt. Predictions made in the midst of crises are notoriously unreliable, and as Kantrowitz and other data-focused commentators have pointed out, when it comes to real estate trends reality is usually more complex than popular narratives.
Will the pandemic end up changing how we work and therefore the calculus of where we live? Almost certainly. But that doesn't mean the results will be as simple as an instant mass migration from San Francisco to Austin (or any other particular city). It will be awhile yet before we see how this all shakes out, but wherever people land it's likely to be more surprising than the headlines you're currently reading.
It's not just Elon Musk who is moving to Texas, according to the media. Stories abound of techies, newly liberated from tiny, overpriced coastal apartments by remote work, fleeing to warmer, cheaper cities. If you believe the tech press and your social media feeds, about half of San Francisco is joining Musk in Texas.
B ut as lovely as Austin may be, is this story that hip, low-tax, high-temperature cities are going to be the big beneficiaries of a post-pandemic migration away from traditional tech hubs actually true?
Not according to the Big Technology newsletter from tech reporter Alex Kantrowitz. A few weeks back Kantrowitz announced he had gotten his hands on some exclusive LinkedIn data that shows the standard media narrative about where techies are heading just isn't correct.
Kantrowitz's newsletter is worth a read if you're looking for a deep dive into the data and its implications, but the biggest takeaway is probably also the simplest: take media trend stories with a grain of salt. Predictions made in the midst of crises are notoriously unreliable, and as Kantrowitz and other data-focused commentators have pointed out, when it comes to real estate trends reality is usually more complex than popular narratives.
W ill the pandemic end up changing how we work and therefore the calculus of where we live? Almost certainly. But that doesn't mean the results will be as simple as an instant mass migration from San Francisco to Austin (or any other particular city). It will be awhile yet before we see how this all shakes out, but wherever people land it's likely to be more surprising than the headlines you're currently reading.
It's not just Elon Musk who is moving to Texas, according to the media. Stories abound of techies, newly liberated from tiny, overpriced coastal apartments by remote work, fleeing to warmer, cheaper cities. If you believe the tech press and your social media feeds, about half of San Francisco is joining Musk in Texas.
But as lovely as Austin may be, is this story that hip, low-tax, high-temperature cities are going to be the big beneficiaries of a post-pandemic migration away from traditional tech hubs actually true?
Not according to the Big Technology newsletter from tech reporter Alex Kantrowitz. A few weeks back Kantrowitz announced he had gotten his hands on some exclusive LinkedIn data that shows the standard media narrative about where techies are heading just isn't correct.
Kantrowitz's newsletter is worth a read if you're looking for a deep dive into the data and its implications, but the biggest takeaway is probably also the simplest: take media trend stories with a grain of salt. Predictions made in the midst of crises are notoriously unreliable, and as Kantrowitz and other data-focused commentators have pointed out, when it comes to real estate trends reality is usually more complex than popular narratives.
Will the pandemic end up changing how we work and therefore the calculus of where we live? Almost certainly. But that doesn't mean the results will be as simple as an instant mass migration from San Francisco to Austin (or any other particular city). It will be awhile yet before we see how this all shakes out, but wherever people land it's likely to be more surprising than the headlines you're currently reading.
]]>Danielle Sydnor
Madd
Glen Infante
Robert Rosenthal
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Ask just about anyone in the world what city Machine Gun Kelly reps as his hometown, and they’ll tell you Cleveland, Ohio (even though he was technically born in Houston, Texas).
The typical listener, especially those who don’t identify as day-one fans, doesn’t always know what goes on behind-the-scenes during the creation of an album.
I wanted to explore and shine a light on the individuals from Cleveland / Ohio who contributed to Machine Gun Kelly’s most successful project yet.
I pulled most of this information from a Scene article by Jordan Zirm in 2011. That blows my mind. A global superstar really made it from the city, and took some of his closest friends on the journey with him.
SlimXX, Ashleigh Veverka, BazeXX, Andre Cisco, Terry Urban, Wavy Duder, Trippie Redd (Honorable mention: Canton, OH)
Ashleigh first met Machine Gun Kelly in 2008 while working for the Ohio Hip Hop Awards. She took a chance at managing him back then, and has remained an integral part of the team ever since.
Andre's first encounter with MGK happened inside Tower City, while Kels was working at an airbrush shop. He also became acquainted with Slim & Dub around the same time while booking them for shows through his company Livin Legends. Fast forward to 2021, and both Ashleigh & Andre play their role within the squad.
Machine Gun Kelly got kicked out of his house at the age of 18, just days after graduating high school. Only weeks earlier, MGK would meet Slim at a house on East 128th where he recorded. While desperate looking for a place to live, he asked Slim about moving in together. They did just that, and the rest is history.
BazeXX is originally from upstate New York, but we've included him as an honorable mention. Had he never moved to Cleveland to work at Spider Studios and be involved with Some Kinda Wonderful, he would not have had the opportunity to be a part of the EST squad. He started working with MGK during the "Black Flag" days.
Baze & Slim both contributed to the production of the album, and most notably created the instrumental for the most popular track "My Exes Best Friend."
The exclusive Target version of the album features bonus tracks, one of which is "In These Walls (My House)." Cleveland native, Wavy Duder, is credited for the production. The video has racked up over 52 million views on Youtube.
Terry Urban is a Cleveland legend, and it's super dope that he got to be involved with "Tickets To My Downfall." The artist, DJ, and producer has a long history of his own which is probably worth an entire I’m From Cleveland exclusive article. I'm honestly not sure how or when he would have met Machine Gun Kelly for the first time.
Terry is credited for art direction and design on the album. Unfortunately, the first version of the album artwork had to be scrapped. But that wasn't the only contribution that Terry made. Remember MGK's performance at the VMA's? The visuals behind Kels at the very beginning are the work of Terry's.
Hailing from Canton, Trippie Redd deserves to be mentioned here. The Northeast Ohio artist is no stranger to working with MGK. The pair have made a handful of great tracks, and they definitely have some more in the vault ready to go.
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Cleveland's own YeaaDoee recently released a new visual with some hometown heavy hitters. The song features a dope verse from Ray Jr., and production comes from platinum producer Sosa 808. You'll notice scenes shot in Atlanta, including at Ray's store @rapzatl.
YeaaDoee has received some recognition on some top-notch outlets such as ThisIs50, The Source, and others.
It is also worth noting that this artist has his own brand Affiliated4Life.
The ambitious Cleveland rapper is looking to sign a record deal. He is also looking to secure votes to perform at Tower City for their "Battle of The Land" competition which Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are involved with. You can vote by clicking here.
YeaaDoee will be putting on for the city at the Cleveland Vs Detroit Megafest event by @crowdfreak & @themuzicaddictz on 09/18/21.
Be on the look out of new unreleased music coming soon & his first EP “Affiliated4Life” on November 20th 2021.
Instagram: @jayrcity
Twitter: @afccity06
JayR City's visual for his record "HiGH" comes from his 15-track album 2JULLY. The Cleveland artist is heavily influenced by the 90s era of R&B, and you can hear that in this joint. JayR is a self-taught singer, who began chasing his dreams at a young age.
This video depicts a personal struggle that many can relate to: the allure of wanting what we can't have. The result is becoming emotionally intoxicated by those feelings for someone.
Listen to JayR City on Apple Music
Listen to JayR City on Spotify
The song is inspired by a performance that Missingno. had, which didn’t pan out as he had planned. He is not one to give up, although he expresses how difficult it may be not to do so. It’s remnant of artists who give up a special part of themselves in order to allow others to feel great hope, such as Kid Cudi & Juice WRLD.
From the official press release:
[The] juxtaposition [of this record] in sonic elements creates an anomaly where this song could simultaneously be used to soundtrack a sad Mario unable to save Princess Peach and a depressed teen’s TikTok videos. The lyrics in this track effectively paint the picture of someone wishing to “snatch the stars right out the sky” in pursuit of becoming a star in their own right. To summarize the song using Missingno.’s own lyrics: “If I shoot for the stars, land on the moon, the leftover distance makes me feel crappy”.
Click here to listen on Spotify
Fun fact worth noting: 'Missingno.' adapts his name from a glitch in the original Pokémon game, which is interpreted as "missing number."
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Nadiem has teamed up with YK Osiris, a dominant force in the RnB scene who has had a record peak at #48 on Billboard's Hot 100. The collaboration between these two is called "Wristwatch." It's a catchy track with top-notch production.
Although the song was just released, it has already achieved some impressive feats. These include playlist placements on Apple Music, Pandora, Sirius XM, & even some commercials.
"Wristwatch" has trended on Tiktok with HarveyBass, Kalani Hiliker, Therybkatwins, Apolonia Barbie, King Moxu, and others posting videos dancing to the track.
The video below is a behind the scenes look at the recording of the song. The official music video is on the way, so be on the lookout for that in the near future.
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Instagram: @tko_mwm
The best music always delivers a message. Lorain's own, TKO, continues to use his voice as a platform to speak out on racial injustices that are seen way too often in our country. WAY TOO OFTEN. He does all this from L.A. - sporting an Indians jersey & rapping in front of a George Floyd mural.
From the prison to the education system, he offers thoughts on how crooked it all is. This is someone pleading out for himself and his people to simply be seen as human beings, and ultimately treated fairly.
"The Land of The Free." TKO's perspective on this track will have you questioning how well this statement actually represents the United States.
Produced by Matcy P
Video by Skymedia
Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Meel.
Hi DJ Meel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jameel, but all my life people have called me Meel. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH. I started Djing about ten years ago and it was never something I saw myself doing. Even though I have always had a passion for music, I didn’t see this as the route. I knew I wanted to be behind the scenes and I saw myself being a A&R (something I still want to do) or producing. It took Heisman winner and NFL Quarterback Troy Smith to hit me up one day and say “Meel you wanna get into DJing?” He then took me to Best Buy, bought me a MacBook and my guy Rodney gave me some turntables and a mixer. I’ve just been consistently at it ever since. I then moved to LA in December, 2018 for a greater opportunity in DJing and to pursue my dream of being a Music Supervisor.
Recently, I completed a program at UCLA for Musical Supervision. That led me to an opportunity being a contractor at The Springhill Company, helping out with music on some of their projects. In addition to that, about five years ago I started Selective Hearing which is a Music Club that turned into a monthly party. That has since transformed to a show on Taste Radio that can be found on the Dash Radio app every Thursday night 7-9pm PT. Recently, I was given the opportunity to host a music and sports interview series “The Sport of Music” on Uninterrupted’s IG platform every Saturday 4-5pm PT.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When starting something new you’re always going to face challenges and it becomes sort of a learning on the job type of thing. Starting off, you want to have an idea of where you want to go in the future, so that you can make decisions like “Will this align with my brand or what I want my brand to be”. You just have to be patient with everything and trust yourself. As far as my move to LA, in the beginning, it was frustrating. I was used to DJing 3-5 nights a week and at first that wasn’t the case here. But things started to pick up about three months after the move. It’s tough being the new guy in town. This whole pandemic though has really shut down normal DJing for a lot of us. It’s been great to see so many DJ’s doing other things and being creative. You just have to find the silver lining in things. Couldn’t imagine if this would have happened last year when I first moved to LA.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been able to spend much of my time traveling as a DJ, as well as DJing at some of the best venues in LA. This past season, I had the opportunity to DJ outside The Staples Center in LA Live for select Lakers’ games. I have worked with brands such as Nike, Sprite, Remy Martin, Beats By Dre, YouTube, Timberland, Boys & Girls Club of America, Cleveland Browns, Amazon Music, BET, LeBron James and more.
What’s next?
Really to keep DJing and progressing at that, as well as really locking in and doing more Music Supervision. My dream is to do movies, television shows, video games and whatever else I can get my hands on. One day I would like to start my own company doing all of this and putting together a team that can handle all music sync needs.
Contact Info:
UPFRNT is a virtual performance series from Cleveland, OH that seeks to elevate Black voices and provide a safe, paid performance opportunity during COVID-19.
For centuries, Black art has been exploited and appropriated for profit by white-run industries. Even today, while many recognize the issue, the music industry has not evolved to fairly compensate Black artists for their craft. This issue spills across different mediums and professions, and UPFRNT sees an opportunity to do things differently. We are creating an ethical venue for Black artists to share their craft through the pandemic and beyond.
The first three episodes will feature music from all across the expansive diaspora of Black music:
Learn more about UPFRNT & how you can get involved by clicking here!
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@tosha__ptp Reply to @zoft_ @juju wasn’t happy that I took his helmet @imjoeyreed
♬ Wrap Me In Plastic (Slowed Down Version) - CHROMANCE & Marcus Layton
Towards the end of 2019, the Lakewood native moved to Los Angeles. At the time, he was finishing up a contract through Warner Records working with Cleveland artist Q Money. He had been polishing his video-editing and marketing skills by traveling around the United States and releasing content that showcased Q’s rise to fame.
While out in L.A., Ryan connected with a group of successful content creators. During his free time, he would work with and assist his new friends on the production side of visuals. There was a period of about 6 months where Ryan was filming TikTok videos anywhere from 2-4 times per week for Joey & Tosha. In no time, the group would realize that they were onto something much bigger than they had originally expected.
So, what was the trend that they created which would soon be followed by people all over the globe? Marcus Layton, a DJ/producer from Germany had a song “Wrap Me In Plastic” that became popular on TikTok from a picture-effect trend. However, there was no dance to it at the time.
This is when Joey saw the opportunity to create a dance that would exponentially increase the popularity of the song. He didn’t quite know it yet, and he wouldn’t have had such an impact with the trend if they gave up early on. The first two times the new dance was posted it didn’t gain much traction, but we all know that the third time’s a charm.
For this trend to take off, something needed to be done differently. As marketers, the group realized the power of engagement with their followings. They began asking viewers to request what new specific locations they would like to see the dance recorded at next. The most popular comments would get their wish fulfilled.
The third time posting this dance on TikTok was from a request: “Do it at a prison.” So that’s exactly what they did. Joey and Tosha dressed up in orange jumpsuits and danced in front of the Topanga County Jail. That video is now reaching almost 100 million views. The rest is history. They would go on to film the trend in every cool L.A. location that they could until it was time to expand across the United States.
The first location outside of California would just so happen to be the White House. After that, they traveled to New York City. They missed their flight back home, which would just prove to be a blessing in disguise. They were forced to go to Chicago for their new flight layover. That is when the Chicago Bulls saw them in town and invited the group to the United Center. Benny The Bull joined them in the trend, and that set up a path for future success. Soon enough, the next chapter in their journey began. They performed this viral dance with professional athletes and mascots in the NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, and PGA. This even included the World Series in Dallas, on live TV with the Panthers In Charlotte, and on Heinz Field with Juju Smith-Schuster.
Listing the names of all the dope people and places where this dance has now gone viral would be a waste of your time. There are SO Many. Therefore, your best off exploring and keeping up with these guys on their socials. That way you won’t miss a beat!
Follow Ryan on: Instagram / TikTok
Follow Joey on: Instagram / TikTok
Follow Tosha on: Instagram / TikTok
]]>@tosha__ptp @ryanxspicer you can clock out today but be ready at 8 AM or your fired bih lol @imjoeyreed
♬ Wrap Me In Plastic (Slowed Down Version) - CHROMANCE & Marcus Layton
NicNacc recently announced the launch of her new company Blended Tea Co.
On Instagram, she says of the brand:
"@blendedteaco is celebrating and shining light on our art living through organic loose leaf tea blends 🍃🦋🌱 I hope these tea blends bring you as much joy and fullness as they’ve brought to me. Blooming from the inside out."
We've just now learned that Blended Tea Co. is sponsoring a concert series founded by @rachelnicolehs.
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Article below via The Daily Illini
The Illinois football weight room is nearly empty on a quiet spring morning but for the rows of weight benches, squat racks and fitness machines and the musty smell of old sweat that permeates any gym. Tucked under Memorial Stadium’s north end zone stands, it’s packed with all the fitness equipment one could ever need, yet is large enough to feel spacious. The walls are plastered with inspirational sports cliches and images of Illini past and present. Ashante Williams’ massive biceps are among them, in the northwest corner, near the Illini greats — Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall, Red Grange.
“That is Red Grange,” Ashante says when it’s pointed out. “Right up there next to me.”
“It All Starts Here” lines the wall near his arms, which is true for the weight room of any successful football team, but it’s particularly fitting for Ashante. As his bulging biceps suggest, he’s a gym rat. He says he was pound-for-pound the strongest player on the team before he tore both his pectoral muscles more than two years ago.
Today’s training session is a shortened one, about an hour and a half focused on his legs. He has a workout with the Cleveland Browns at the end of the week and he wants his body fresh. But that doesn’t mean a day off.
“I don’t like wasting a day,” Ashante says. “While you’re sleeping or sitting down, the next guy is up working and working real hard to be that much better than you.”
When Ashante works out his legs, he isn’t working out the same muscles most people do. Quadriceps, hamstrings, calves — all of those are already chiseled to perfection on his 5-foot-9, 195-pound frame. He’s fine-tuning the muscles that only a person hoping to make a living off athletics would often use. The tiny muscles that would give him complete control over every inch of his body, pushing it to its maximum potential, training it to compete at the highest level of his sport. His body is his livelihood.
He sets up with an exercise ball and a bosu ball — an exercise ball split into a half-moon, with a hard-plastic flat side to it — before shagging his 2-year-old son, Jayden, from the corner of the weight room he wandered off to. He plops Jayden on a nearby weight bench with a bottle of Minute Maid cranberry apple juice.
Ashante, clad in Illini apparel, alternates from one-legged squats on the bosu ball to squatting with both feet on the exercise ball, controlling his balance in veritable circus fashion. He slips off the exercise ball, just once, and falls flat on his back. Undeterred, he gets back up and continues the routine. His muscles tense under his dark complexion with every rep, his shoulder-length dreadlocks hanging behind his head, tied into a ponytail.
His intensive training program moves from exercise to exercise, muscle to muscle. He pauses only to rest and to remove and replace Jayden’s juice cap upon request.
Jayden, who turns 3 at the end of June, knows the drill. He watches patiently as always, occasionally pouring juice into the cap — but mostly on his blue jeans — and drinking from it like a tiny cup. Memorial Stadium is his second home.
“He’s like a little mascot,” Ashante says, smiling, as he always does when talking about his son.
When Jayden was younger, Ashante would often wake him up in the early hours of the morning, bring him to the stadium, wrap him in a blanket and let him finish sleeping in the Illinois locker room while Ashante got a lift in. On days when his schedule was especially tight, Ashante would bring Jayden to class.
Ashante is preparing for the NFL Draft — 32 teams, seven rounds, 254 picks. He isn’t projected to crack that 254, but he hopes that one team will take a chance on him in the closing rounds or the post-draft free agency period.
“I feel like if I get the opportunity, I’ll capitalize on it,” he says. “It’s not about getting drafted, it’s just about getting an opportunity.”
His reason for putting his body through hell and back every morning is right there, fiddling with the cap to his juice.
***
Ashante’s path wasn’t always headed toward the NFL. At times, it was hardly headed toward seeing the field at Illinois.
Setback after setback — mostly his own transgressions — kept him on the sideline, souring his rapport with then-head coach Ron Zook.
“It was very shaky,” Ashante said of their relationship. “We didn’t really talk.”
He graduated from high school a semester early to enroll at Illinois for spring ball, but nearly failed out of college. Adjusting to life as a student-athlete coupled with an ambitious course load wasn’t a recipe for academic eligibility. He was forced to redshirt his freshman year rather than carve out a role on the defense.
His troubles didn’t end there. He was suspended for one game in 2009 after testing positive for marijuana. Oversleeping for 6 a.m. workouts, arriving late to practice, bouncing on and off academic probation, missed meetings, it all added up. He had fallen out of favor with the coaches.
“Everybody matures at a different rate,” Zook said. “He got to college, got a little freedom and tested that out a bit.”
“He was probably on his high horse like any good athlete coming out of high school,” said his stepfather, Christopher Williams. “You think the world revolves around you.”
Even when Ashante’s slate had been clean for months, he still watched from the sidelines on Saturdays. He played sparingly, mostly on special teams, making the occasional spot-start for an injured teammate.
“Every little thing I did, Zook would pile up on me and just make it that much harder for me to dig myself out of the hole,” Ashante said. “And it just seemed like every day, I was digging myself in a hole further, and further.”
Feelings of depression set in. He shied away from trips back home to Mayfield, Ohio. He didn’t want to look his parents in the eyes, thinking he was a disappointment. He felt ashamed and alone. Once the star athlete in high school, now he could hardly get on the field.
His teammates’ words rang in his ears — You should be on the field with us, Ashante. We know you’re the best player for the position. — making it all that much harder as the seasons went by.
“All that talent that I had to offer, everything that I had worked for to come to college, it was all just going to go down the drain and nobody was ever going to see the real Ashante Williams,” he said. “I felt like everything I did and everything I touched turned to darkness.”
Midway through the 2011 season, senior defensive back Trulon Henry was moved from safety to play ahead of Ashante at the SAM linebacker position, a position unfamilliar to Henry. Ashante said it could have helped the defense to keep Henry at his natural position and insert Ashante into the lineup.
“They just had me on the sideline standing next to him. ‘Hey, tell him what to do every play,’” he said. “And that was just like a slap in the face, but I understood the consequences of what I did.”
When Henry would make a big play, Ashante couldn’t help but think of what should have been. It wasn’t jealousy; it was feelings of helplessness and lingering frustration. Four years into his career at Illinois and he had yet to make an impact.
“The coaches felt like they couldn’t trust me, and I don’t blame them because it felt like every time they would give me a little leeway, I’d get back in trouble.”
Ashante understood he had abused Zook’s trust, but he started to lose hope he could ever regain it. He was frustrated. It seemed that no matter how hard he worked, he couldn’t clear his name.
His parents offered him an out. Transfer to a different school. Consider a Division-I AA school. But Ashante declined. He was going to stick it out.
***
Ashante really isn’t one for birthdays. His 21st was set to be a low-key affair. Dinner and a movie. But with one phone call, dinner and a movie became shopping at Wal-Mart for baby supplies.
A woman from his recent past surprised him with a request for child support. She thought he might be the father to her 8-month-old son, Jayden. Ashante took a paternity test the day after she contacted him. The results came in on his birthday, Feb. 15, 2011.
All the responsibilities of fatherhood hit him at once. Nine months were condensed into 72 hours. Ashante’s mom transferred money into his account and he dropped $300 at Wal-Mart. As he waited in the checkout line, his cart stuffed with Pampers and formula, he shook his head in disbelief.
“I couldn’t believe I was a father.”
Jayden was dropped off the next day, and father and son have been together since. He and his girlfriend, ChrisDell Harris, whom Jayden now calls mommy, plunged immediately into parenthood.
Ashante’s thoughts kept going back to his own mother, Andrekia Williams, who had him at age 16. The odds were against her, but she battled her way to being the first person in her family to graduate from high school and is now a consultant making over six figures with two master’s degrees.
“All I could think about is what my mom was doing when I was younger, and that was fight,” he said. “Even if we were struggling, she didn’t let me see her struggle. All I could think of in the back of my head was fight.”
Ashante’s biological father isn’t part of his life. They met once, when Ashante was in middle school. He brought Ashante the latest copy of “MLB: The Show.” They talked for an hour or two and left it at that.
“I know who he is, but I don’t know who he is,” Ashante said.
He’s open to a relationship — he’d love to meet the five half-siblings who live with his biological father — but doesn’t require one. His stepfather, Christopher Williams, filled that need. He adopted Ashante and his brother Amare, and they eventually took his last name.
Christopher Williams ensured that Ashante would have a father growing up, and Ashante is determined to do the same for Jayden. He refuses to go down the same path as his biological father.
“I don’t hold it against him because I don’t know what he went through, what separated him from me,” Ashante said. “I just know that I want to be in my son’s life.”
***
A hot summer night in July 2011 had Ashante, ChrisDell, a friend and his girlfriend indoors for a movie night. Ashante, five months into parenthood, wasn’t really one to go out anymore. He had been there, done that.
He had two margaritas. After two or three movies, his friends were ready to go home. They had been drinking too. Ashante suggested they spend the night to avoid driving under the influence. An argument ensued, and Ashante, hoping to keep it from escalating to the point of waking a sleeping Jayden in the next room, offered to drive them home himself. He didn’t feel drunk, and they didn’t live far.
His gas tank nearly empty, he pulled into the corner gas station. A police squad car soon followed. As Ashante pulled out, so did the officer. Ashante nervously and cautiously continued down the road, stopping at every stop sign — complete, not rolling stops — peering into his rearview mirror every so often as they traveled, block after block of a drive that suddenly felt much longer.
He finally reached his friends’ street, flipped the right turn signal on and glanced back at the cop in his mirror. Lights and sirens followed and Ashante was slapped with tickets for improper lane usage, speeding and driving under the influence.
He still doesn’t know what prompted the officer to pull him over. He didn’t think he was speeding and was ticketed for illegal lane usage on a one-lane road. Wearing a white tank top, athletic shorts and flip-flops, he was told he initially arose suspicion for fitting the description of a suspect. It wasn’t until a few hours later at the police station that he was read his Miranda rights and given a Breathalyzer test — his BAC was registered at 0.177.
He thought his football career was over. He had turned over a new leaf and kept his slate clean as a new father. Camp Rantoul was less than two weeks away and this was his season to shine.
But trouble followed him like an unwanted shadow.
“I couldn’t get away from it.”
***
Zook suspended Ashante for two months. He missed summer camp in Rantoul. He couldn’t work out at Memorial Stadium, couldn’t be around the team for practice. It continued into the season where he dressed for the first three games but didn’t play.
Ashante was never convicted of his DUI, but it didn’t matter. News spread quickly. The damage to his reputation was done. He couldn’t fall back into feelings of depression this time, though. Accountability was no longer optional; a 1-year-old at home demanded it.
“All of a sudden it wasn’t about him, it was about somebody else,” Zook said. “Here he is trying to raise a young man and go to school and play football. He had a lot on his plate, and I don’t think there’s any question in my mind that it did make a difference. He grew up quickly.”
Ashante had filed for full custody of Jayden on March 30, 2011, soon after he arrived on his doorstep. On Jan. 17, 2012, he finally had it. Jayden’s biological mother has supervised visitation every weekend but rarely uses it, Ashante said.
“He definitely puts it all in perspective,” Ashante said. “I want him to be able to look back and say his dad did something with his life.”
Jayden got him out of the rut, but as far as football was concerned, he was still stranded deep in the hole he dug himself.
Ashante needed a fresh beginning and got exactly that after the 2011 season. Zook was fired and Tim Beckman was hired.
“I told him, ‘I don’t care about your past; this is now and forward,’” Beckman said.
Jayden got Ashante’s life back on track, and Beckman cleared his slate. He was never late, never absent. Beckman lauded his work ethic and leadership. He rarely drinks anymore. And if he does, he has the phone number for a taxi service programmed into his phone.
“You won’t catch me in that situation again.”
Beckman, Zook, it didn’t matter. Ashante just needed a fresh start. And he wasn’t going to get that from a coach he disappointed time after time.
“If the roles had been reversed,” his stepfather told him, “if Coach Beckman would have got you as a freshman and Zook got you when you were a senior, you would have thought Zook was the best thing since sliced bread.
“It wasn’t those two. It was you.”
***
In the 2012 season opener, Western Michigan lined up with a three-receiver set, two to the left and one to the right. Quarterback Alex Carder waited in shotgun with a halfback to his right.
The Illini defense disguised its man coverage, lining up with the illusion of zone. The center snapped the ball; Carder dropped back — three steps, just like Ashante and his stepfather had seen on film.
Christopher Williams was in town for the month, helping take care of Jayden as Ashante prepared for his first season as a full-time starter. Christopher and Jayden would make their way to Memorial Stadium for an hour or two of film study after Ashante finished practice.
It was there they spotted Carder’s gunslinger tendencies.
“Some quarterbacks just think no matter how tight the window is that they can just get the ball in there,” said Christopher, a former college football player himself.
Carder looked center, then left and fired the ball into his receiver, who cut back toward the ball just beyond the first down marker, a timing route.
Ashante jumped the route and the ball was right there. He caught it and stumbled, his momentum propelling him forward. He regained his balance and streaked 60 yards to the end zone along the visitor’s sideline, where Jayden and the rest of his family were watching from the stands.
“It made me believe in myself again,” Ashante said. “It just was a huge weight off my shoulders knowing that I could still play.”
Ashante became the full-time starter at the hybrid linebacker/safety STAR position and started on three of four special teams. He finished second on the team in tackles with 78, logging close to 1,000 plays in 12 games, the most on the team, hardly leaving the field except for the occasional sip of water and a few plays off for a minor shoulder injury.
If it weren’t for this season, Ashante would be unknown. NFL scouts from the Chiefs and Ravens wouldn’t have stayed nearly an hour longer at Illinois’ Pro Day to issue him aptitude tests. The Eagles, Dolphins, Broncos, Rams, Colts and Texans wouldn’t have called him. The New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns wouldn’t have worked him out.
“It started here. It might not have been a smooth ride, but in my heart, I know I fought like no other,” he said. “And I feel like in the end, that’s all going to pay off.”
***
A dejected atmosphere engulfed the linebacker’s room, used for postgame player interviews. Indiana, then the worst team in the Big Ten, had just trounced the Illini 31-17 on their home field. The Illini were 2-6 and wouldn’t win another game all season.
The lingering members of the Illinois media contingent had run out of questions, and the players had run out of answers.
“I’ve never been through this before,” remarked a disheartened Ashante to a small group of reporters. His responses were curt but earnest. The blowout losses were piling up.
But his mood shifted on a dime when asked about his son. Ashante lit up, all traces of the loss vanishing from his face.
“At the end of the day, I still have this little boy at home that looks up to me,” Ashante said. “And no matter what I do, he still runs up to me, smiling, talking about Da-da.”
The NFL Draft may come and go without mention of Ashante Williams. All he wants is an opportunity, just one chance to show his talent. He’s hoping one team will see in him what he’s always known is there.
A minimum salary of about $400,000 that only increases each year he remains in the league would mean a better life for his son. Even if he doesn’t make it through final cuts, practice squad players haul in roughly $100,000.
Just over a week before the draft, Ashante received a letter from an NFL general manager inviting him to training camp. No matter what happens during or after the draft, he has at least one opportunity. And if you ask him, one opportunity is all he needs.
He shared a teary-eyed conversation with his mother the next day. They discussed his past, his failures, his successes. He thanked her for teaching him how to fight, how to keep on. All the emotions of five years at Illinois came out at once.
“You made it hard for yourself, but you’re definitely going to get an opportunity,” she told him. “From where we started to where we are now, that’s just phenomenal.”
Ashante Williams is chasing his dream, and even if he doesn’t reach it, he’ll always have a little mascot cheering him on.
Chad can be reached at thornbu1@dailyillini.com and @cthornburg10.
]]>Sarah Bailey, a singer + songwriter + producer from Twinsburg, included Taylor Swift's music in her yearly light show synced with Christmas tunes. Sarah utilizes the attention that this project receives by accepting donations to her local food bank.
The light show ended up catching the attention of Taylor Swift herself. She reached out to Sarah and told her that she was thankful to have her music included. The coolest part? Taylor then donated to the Twinsburg's "Our Community Hunger Center."
Also featured: Billboard, Channel 19
]]>Justin Bibb made it official today and launched his 2021 Cleveland Mayoral Campaign.
“I love this city and I believe we have the potential to become a model of revival and possibility. We have all the right assets to revitalize our city and we are uniquely positioned to lead America’s economic recovery.”
Learn more about Justin here: bibbforcle.com
]]>My 2020 Video Reel!
Another year of amazing opportunities, experiences and working with some creative people! For those that ask to see some of my work, then look no further!
I appreciate all of your support! pic.twitter.com/KCtOKC2R5E
Our latest music update is here! "Latest Music In The Land" continues as we shared a bunch of new music on our Instagram. Those are just the snippets. Now you can find the full videos here!
Doe Boy & Babyface Ray
SAM1R
Pete Stayswipin
Chip Tha Ripper & Lex LugerYSN Flow WooBanzz NicXMe & Lex Luger finna drop! Tag who you wanna see/hear on this bond fire. What should the project be called? 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/V0iBGXiX2x
— Chip Tha Ripper (@kingchip) December 13, 2020
Blue heart video out now pic.twitter.com/AWiBJgKd6A
— NicX (@NicXnation) December 9, 2020
The Monday Program - 100k ft. Unknownphrazes & Walker OG (Prod by Corey Grand) Alysa Higgins & Nathn Priest 3vd Loot Tae MC Tae Poe Village Tropidelic Average Joe Bre Jax Todd Zack Jr. Los P & Anti Tristan Wells Foreign Jay Kash Addict Kingxzell LV Brillionaire Fly Tye
Cashbags50 Mont Dawg Montana Trap & Yung Plinko Pb Tropp Ripp Flamez Luxury & Shootah Baby Siena Bella Tre'lbs & Will The Genaral YFL Kelvin Ziggy Montana Bat Boy Bankie & Hollywood Goonie BONEZ ]]>
When Rocky River resident Joey Kinsley was in college, he made omelettes for his fraternity. However, instead of a hearty breakfast, they were surprised by large chunks of egg shells in the food.
Now, he’s working to shake the reputation of “bad cook” by competing in the Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” premiering at 9 p.m. on Jan. 3.
“Doing this show was absolutely surreal,” Kinsley, 27, said. “It’s one thing to watch it on the television, but it’s completely different when you experience it first hand.”
“Worst Cooks in America” is a cooking competition hosted by celebrity chef Anne Burell. Each season, some of the worst cooks across the nation compete to improve their skills through various challenges.
Kinsley auditioned in July and went through a two-week vetting process that included multiple interviews, an audition tape and a questionnaire. Filming in New York began in September and will feature 13 other chefs who have been deemed the worst cooks in America.
While on set, the contestants needed to wear masks when they weren’t filming. Daily temperature checks were also done before filming.
A long-time fan, Kinsley auditioned because it’s his girlfriend Paige Wilson’s favorite show. Wilson is studying to become a surgeon and Kinsley wanted to learn how to cook so that he could make meals for her while she was away, he said.
“Paige is a foodie so she did all the cooking. The most I helped in the kitchen was by handing her things she couldn’t reach,” Kinsley said. “My experience on the show has given me the confidence to help out more in the kitchen, especially when she’s away.”
This season will feature guest judge Carla Hall, famous for her role on ABC’s canceled daytime show “The Chew,” Kinsley said.
While he couldn’t give too much away about this season, Kinsley says his favorite part about working on the show was having access to all of the ingredients on set. However, the hardest part was the long hours the show filmed.
“Sometimes we were on set for 13 or 14 hours,” he said. The show also had to adhere to safety guidelines for COVID-19, which meant he needed to wear a mask almost the entire time he was there, he added.
Before the show, Kinsley never felt he needed to learn how to cook. While he was growing up in Rocky River, his mother, Jackie Kinsley, would do all the cooking for him and his siblings, John and Jillian. He can cook simple things like eggs and quesadillas.
He graduated from Rocky River High School in 2012 and studied management at Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 2016. Kinsley now works as a digital marketing specialist for Emerge Inc. of Avon Lake. The culinary rookie works on social media campaigns and filming videos for various businesses across the state, he said.
While his time on set has come to an end, Kinsley says his experiences while filming will last a lifetime.
“People would pay top dollar and sacrifice everything to pay for lessons from Burell and Hall,” he said. “The fact that I got to do it while being a miserable cook and on the Food Network, I couldn’t put it into words. It was the best experience of my life.”
Here is he listed among the other contestants on Food Network's official website.
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Simone Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials.
Jelks joins the group of female NBA referees that also includes Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. Jelks becomes the seventh female full-time ref in NBA history, with the current five preceded by Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer.
Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official last season. The former USC player has also worked games in the G League for the last three seasons.
Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy were also promoted to full-time on Wednesday. They have a combined 11 years of G League experience and each worked 13 NBA games in non-staff roles last season.
"We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff," said Monty McCutchen, the NBA's senior vice president overseeing referee development and training. "They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis."
Also featured: Cleveland Scene, News-Herald, Channel 3
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