Podcast
Referential
Hosted by Dr. Khaliden Nas · EN
Referential is hosted by Dr. Khaliden Nas to have serious conversations about frivolous topics!
Each episode takes you on an academically informed deep dive into pop culture and media that never skips out on a stupid joke.
Subscribe & join Dr. Khaliden Nas (and the occasional guest!) as we dive into conversations about identity, representation, Blackness, queerness (and so much more) across the cultures that we make; and the cultures that make us.
Artwork by Valentine M. Smith.
Music by Pampered Fists & Anzahlung.
Find out more at www.alsopurple.com
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
'AFRORI: Brighton's Black Bookshop' (with Carolynn Bain & Victor Alexander)
May 200:29:59Tap to summarizeDropcall #10Victor and I sit down with Carolynn Bain! Carolynn is the founder of Brighton's 'Afrori', The UK's only Black owned bookshop specialising in books by Black authors.Afrori recently launched a book drive to sell 1000 books to help keep its doors open. They managed to sell 1500 and are now launching a patreon to help make sure they're here for the long haul!We chat aboutThe History of AfroriBuilding a 'village'The importance of a third space for Brighton's Black community (and their allies)Asking for help vs PrideSupporting independent businessesChanging our habitsShout out to 'Men of Melanin Brighton'Carolynn: "As young men in your 20s"BUY A BOOKJOIN THE PATREONS Recommendations:Carolynn's : 'Kin' (2026) by Tayari JonesVictor’s : 'Black England: The Forgotten Georgian History' (2022) by Gretchen GerzinaKhaliden’s : 'The Day God Saw Me As Black' (2024) by D. Danyelle Thomas___________Join Afrori's patreon!https://www.patreon.com/AfroriBooksYou can also find them on instagram and threads:https://www.threads.com/@afroribookshttps://www.instagram.com/afroribooks/To buy a book + Check for upcoming events + find out how to support on their website!https://afroribooks.co.uk/_____ You can find Victor @ugly_knowws + @roughcopyzine on insta and tiktok!________Subscribe to REFERENTIAL PODCAST's patreon!https://www.patreon.com/ReferentialPodcastKeep up to date with Khaliden and the podcast by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.__________Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Video Production by Victor Alexander (@Ugly_knees on insta and @clevvergirl on Tiktok)Subscribe to our Youtube Page!https://youtube.com/@referentialpodMore at www.alsopurple.com___________Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!NEXT UP: Xena (& Gabrielle) The Warrior Princess (with Sara Century)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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'This Podcast May Contain K-Pop [Demon Hunters]' (with Victor Alexander & Ash Alleyne)
Apr 1400:49:13Tap to summarizeDropcall #9Ashley and Victor came to visit me in my new flat and I decided to record it. Chaos ensues.Topics covered include:Victor hates K-Pop Demon HuntersAshley and Khaliden loved K-Pop Demon HuntersWallace and Gromit is not a children’s filmWe debate if most of American Animation is for children.What’s the state of Western Adult Animation today?Common Side Effects, Blue-Eyed Samurai, PreyDarth Maul, Star Wars VisionsAmerican Samurai is… racistShogun is why white people keep trying be asian Paradise! Quadroons‘ADHD’ by Paris Hilton written by Sia. Pluribus baby Problematicville, Problem Promenade & Cancel-isleX-Men 97 Season 2 Electric Boogaloo Sunspot, Tanspot, Sundodgingspot, Sunscreenspot, SPFspot Doechii say no to more things please Abandoning RuPaul’s Drag Race We don’t support celebrity podcastsLily Allen the British Taylor SwiftRaye’s ‘This Album May Contain Hope’Casiano Prado, Sam Smith and Kerry WashingtonIt’s handled.Recommendations:Victor’s : ‘Girls’ by Princess Nokia Ashley’s : ‘Pretty Idea’ by Amber MarkKhaliden’s : ‘Once Upon a Time…’ by Donna Summer___________Find Victor @roughcopyzine on insta and @roughcopyzinebtn on tiktok!Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Video Production by Victor Alexander (@Ugly_knees on insta and @clevvergirl on Tiktok)Subscribe to our Youtube Page!https://youtube.com/@referentialpodMore at www.alsopurple.comThank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!___________NEXT UP: Xena (& Gabrielle) The Warrior Princess (with Sara Century)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Mix #3: Brandy's Full Moon (2002) (With Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins)
Mar 1901:35:27Tap to summarizeNew Series!MIXepisodes: Where I'm joined by past guests and new to talk about, what I’ve been, calling their ‘cornerstone album’. We go in depth and track by track on some of our favourite musical projects to break apart what it’s doing, why we love it and why it’s important. On the second chair, I'm joined by Black Fat Femme Podcast's Dr Jonathan Paul Higgins to talk about the album known as the 'Blueprint of Modern R&B', Brandy Norwood's 2002 third full musical release 'Full Moon'.Cited by everyone from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Jazmine Sullivan to Beyonce for its influence; this is the album that first garnered Brandy the moniker of the 'Vocal Bible'.'Full Moon' was birthed in collaboration with Brandy Norwood, legendary producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins and his songwriting team (that included the likes of Kenisha Pratt, Fred Jerkins & LaShawn Daniels); the album also featured the work of Mike City, Warryn Campbell and Keith Crouch (+ an uncredited Michael Jackson on background) to create its tableau fusion of R&B, Pop, Garage, House and Soul.We get into all that +Dr Jon Paul Higgins!'Black Fat Femme' the podcast/the bookRemembering the world before streamingGiving 'real tea'Shout out to André Leon TalleyShout out to Remy MaBring back 'boomkak'Our beef with Clive DavisBrandy, BraNU, B-Rocka"awoowoo"R&B EnyaBrandy's most difficult vocal albumThe productionsThe riffsThe harmoniesThe 'vocal bible'AaliyahNEW MONICAPatreon!___________Find Dr Jon Paul Higgins @DoctorJonPaul and @blkfatfemmepod on socials!Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Video Production by Victor Alexander (@Ugly_knees on insta and @roughcopyzine)Additional audio production by LailaSubscribe to our Youtube Page!https://youtube.com/@referentialpodMore at www.alsopurple.comThank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!_____NEXT UP: Xena (& Gabrielle) The Warrior Princess (with Sara Century)______Join the Patreon!https://patreon.com/ReferentialPodcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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'The Screamisode' (With Victor Alexander)*
Mar 401:02:42Tap to summarize*'Or why we're skipping Scream 7'Drop Call #8Victor and I did not watch Scream 7 and tell you all about why. Then we talk about our history with the Scream franchiseDistracting yourself.Haden Panitierre’s ScreamJenny McCarthy’s ScreamHeather Graham’s ScreamJennifer Love Hewitt’s Ghost WhispererAisha Tyler’s Bruce Willis BangsThe bear necessitiesNostalgic for nostalgiaFootloose 2: FootlooserOur Charmed sisters ranking Patreon!___________Find Victor @roughcopyzine on insta and @roughcopyzinebtn on tiktok!Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Video Production by Victor Alexander (@Ugly_knees on insta and @clevvergirl on Tiktok)Subscribe to our Youtube Page!https://youtube.com/@referentialpodMore at www.alsopurple.comThank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!_____NEXT UP: MIX #3: Breaking Down Brandy’s Full Moon’ [2002] (with Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins from the ‘Black, Fat, Femme’ Pod!)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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'Wuthering's Next Top Model' (With Victor Alexander)
Feb 1800:54:12Tap to summarizeDrop Call #7Victor watched Emerald Fennell’s 'Wuthering Heights' and gives me his review before we unpack Netflix’s new documentary series ‘Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model’ about Tyra Banks and America’s Next Top Model. The controversial reality show that ran from 2003 to 2018 and has been getting reappraised by the TikTok era.Brontë ClassicsTyra Banks The Netflix 'Documentary'Les Moonves and Janet JacksonRuPaul and that twink mediumRita Ora hosted ANTM (?)Fruits of the Oprah treeMiss Jay Alexander, Jay Manuel and Nigel BarkerAccountability and obfuscationShared Complicity "Do you want to play a game?"Remember when Tyra Banks gave that homophobe a beard weave?Guess which Batman villain we decide is Tyra’s alter ego___________Find Victor @roughcopyzine on insta and @roughcopyzinebtn on tiktok!Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Video Production by Victor Alexander (@Ugly_knees on insta and @clevvergirl on Tiktok)Subscribe to our Youtube Page!https://youtube.com/@referentialpodMore at www.alsopurple.comThank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!_____NEXT UP: MIX #3: Breaking Down Brandy’s Full Moon’ [2002] (with Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins from the ‘Black, Fat, Femme’ Pod!)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Trans Pride Brighton (with Dr. Sam Hall, Phat Problem & Sarah Savage) (Pt. 2)
Feb 301:46:35Tap to summarizePart 2!It is currently 2026, I initially wanted to put this series out a lot quicker! (Many these conversations I’ve been holding on to for a few months now!) I’ve been feeling a little guilty about the delay, until recently I decided that it’s a good thing. It’s meant I spent a lot of the past year thinking about this one topic. This episode spans 3 different conversations I’ve had this past year about the state of our rights- and what does it look like to stand in pride every day.___________________Chapter 1: Brighton with Sara Savage (Sarah’s Brighton)I sat with Sarah Savage (CEO of Trans Pride Brighton) after this the 2025 event to talk about her experience of the day- and all the things happening behind the scenes that 15k+ attendees never learn about! As well as how Sarah has already begun her emotional preparations for Trans Pride Brighton 2026!!You can follow Sarah Savage on Insta @OhSarahSavagePick up your copy of Sarah Savage’s latest book ‘Jackie Trolling and the Evil Human Rights Commission’ ! https://sarahsavage.ink/product/jackie-trolling-and-the-evil-human-rights-commission-2/You can donate to Trans Pride Brighton https://transpridebrighton.org/keep-trans-pride-brighton-alive-donate-monthly/____________________Chapter 2: Homefront with Dr Sam HallDr. Sam Hall is the former lead clinician at Brighton’s WellBN practice; before stepping down from the role last year amid an NHS investigation into gender-affirming care for under-18s.We discuss the past & future of Brighton’s Trans Health Hub, bodily autonomy, narrative violence; and what to do when when hatred visits to your homeRead more about Dr. Sam Hall and the WellBN Trans Health Hub service and NHS investigation: https://goodlawproject.org/christian-right-targets-brighton-gp-treating-young-trans-people/Donate to the Good Law Project https://goodlawproject.org/donate/____________________Chapter 3: Trans Problem with Phat ProblemPhat Problem is a Brighton based punk band that was scheduled to perform at the Trans Pride Brighton ’25 stage but never made it after member Frankie was arrested for supporting Palestine a little too loudly.I talked to Frankie and the band to get the story of the day and why it was important to them to stand on that stage especially to speak up for Palestine. You can follow Phat Problem on Insta @PhatProblemListen to Phat Problem’s latest on Bandcamp https://phatproblem.bandcamp.com/album/cistem-failureDonate to Southern Gaza relief with The Sameer project https://chuffed.org/project/113222-tent-campaign-the-sameer-project____________________Thank you everyone who contributed their voices to this episode and to the Trans Pride Brighton Committee for another year of pride and protest without compromise!Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Hosted, produced & edited by Dr. Khaliden Nas.Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.Additional audio editing up by Layla SkedaddleVisual production by Victor Alexander (@roughcopyzine on insta!)Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. *This episode feature We Shall Not Be Moved by Phat Problem, used with permission from the band*Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!NEXT UP: MIX #3: Breaking Down Brandy’s Full Moon’ [2002] (with Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins from the ‘Black, Fat, Femme’ Pod!)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Trans Pride Brighton (with Sarah Savage, Kate Nash and more!) (Pt 1)
Feb 301:26:52Tap to summarize"We will not give in. We will not give up. We will not bow. We will not beg. We will not capitulate. We will survive." - Sarah Savage (Trans Pride Brighton CEO)Captured sounds and interviews from Trans Pride Brighton 2025. Trans Pride Brighton was the first Trans Pride event outside of the United States. It is also one of the largest, gathering tens of thoughts of Trans people and allies people in protest and celebration.Volunteer-led and taking no corporate sponsorship, the TPB organisation keeps the punk and rebellious spirit of Pride alive, defiant and uncompromising.Voices in order of appearance (@'s instagram):Act 1 (Morning Rain) [0 - 5.30]Victor (@uglyknees)Khaliden (@alsopurp)Glow Choir (@glow.choir)Alfie (@alfiesheppard)Laila (@serendipilayher)Bosun (@bosunburaimoh)Ed (@edviney)Tom B. (@tom.jan)Alice (@visualfeastetc)Sarah Savage (@ohsarahsavage)Act 2 (March/Speeches)[5.30 - 28.30]Sarah Savage (@ohsarahsavage)Proud Wellness (@proudwellness)Mikey (@mikey_caleb89)DaveBosunMatthew (@nationaleducationunion)LeoECP (@ecp_org)Olivia Campbell Cavendish (@translegalclinic)Sarah SavageAct 3 (Stages)[28.31 - 46.58]Charlie Allen (@charlieallen.music)Max DobsonClaireZascha (@pennypounddrag)Just Like Us (@justlikeus)Radical Rhizomes (@radicalrhizomesuk)Industrial Workers of the World (@Industrialworkersoftheworld)Terrance Higgins Trust Brighton (@thtbrightonandhove)Act 4 (Kate Nash/Backstage)[46.58 - 1.01.13]Mizz Kimberly (@Mzzkimberly)Kate Nash interview [53.27 - 1.01.13]Act 5 (Afterparty[s])[1.01.14 - 1.23.21]Prince of Persia (@theprinceofp3rsia)Lilya (@asti.pumantini)Bin Fingered (@binfingered)Wesley (@fanciful_chaos)Misha (@mx_misha)Act 6 (Outro)[1.23.22 - 1.25.19]Victor (@uglyknees)Khaliden (@alsopurp)Glow Choir (@glow.choir)Thank you everyone who contributed their voices to this episode and to the Trans Pride Brighton Committee for another year of pride and protest without compromise.Find resources and more about Trans Pride Brighton at https://linktr.ee/transpridebrightonMake a donation at https://transpridebrighton.org/donate/Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Hosted, produced & edited by Dr. Khaliden Nas.Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.Video production by Victor Alexander (Check out his film video essays @Clevvergirl on tiktok!)Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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'Queer Cancellation' (With Victor Alexander)
Jan 1400:53:00Tap to summarizeDrop Call #6Victor and I try to make sense of why 2026 is starting with all the queers getting ‘cancelled’. “Cancellation”Memetic Pile OnsGinger Minj Vs The WorldEscape from Gag CityBowen Yang and Matt RogersDylan Mulvaney Professor Mel CurthHeated Rivalry (again again)The gays in the bubbleGotmik and Violet Chachki and Marilyn MansonLindsay Ellis and Victor Vs Raya the Last DragonContrapointsFujoshis Vs KhalidenGreg Rucka___________Find Victor @roughcopyzine on insta and @roughcopyzinebtn on tiktok!Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Video Production by Victor Alexander (@Ugly_knees on insta and @clevvergirl on Tiktok)Subscribe to our Youtube Page!https://youtube.com/@referentialpodMore at www.alsopurple.comThank you for listening! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review to help people find the podcast!_____NEXT UP: Trans Pride Brighton '25 (with Dr. Sam Hall, Phat Problem & Sarah Savage) (Pt 2)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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(Video Update) Ancient Hatreds (Or New Antisemitism, and the Left’s ‘Muslim Problem’ with Dr. Jonathan Galton)
Jan 201:46:49Tap to summarizeVideo available to view on the Spotify app or YouTube _________'The Imperial Sessions Part 2' Conversations on Fascism & Media / Video Episode 5Vid version updates on Youtube + Spotify some weeks after initial audio-only release. Ancient Hatreds (Or New Antisemitism, and the Left’s ‘Muslim Problem’ with Dr. Jonathan Galton)In Part 2 of The Imperial Sessions series I'm joined by Dr. Jonathan Galton to talk about his upcoming book 'Does Islamo-Leftism exist? British-Left-Muslim connections beyond the caricatures'. Jonathan shared with me a chapter titled 'Is the Left antisemitic?' and that spurred us to record a conversation unpacking his research and reflecting on what it all means in this current moment. We talkHistories of Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism and 'New Antisemitism'Palestine as a 'Left wing' cause'Islamo-leftism'The UK Left's 'Muslim problem'The UK Left and AntisemitismConflation as an active practiceSelf contextualisingAn Arab in the WestPositionality and abandoning 'outsider research''Unholy alliance' narrativesDehumanisationZohran Mamdani, Brad Lander and Stephen ColbertIslamophobia and the LeftCentring the research subjectThe centring of Israel in discussions about Jewish identityRise of Judaeo-Christian unityOl' RhodesiaWe are the quotaThe re-branding of Palestinian resistanceThe 'coalition of the willing'Joe Biden *sigh*'Middle-classification''Political Blackness''Islamist cranks'You should listen to The Trojan Horse Affair."We're all we got".__________If you'd like to donate to a credible organisation seeking to help the people of Gaza here are a few I'd recommend:Support QT Palestinians and the First QTM helpline: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTk5ODA1The Sameer Project : https://linktr.ee/thesameerprojectAl-Jawad Camp's donation links can be found on their Instagram bio: https://www.instagram.com/jawadcamp1The Rammun Foundation: https://rammunfoundation.org/__________CHAPTERS0:00 Intro9:42 Introductory chat20:51 Introduction to Jonathan’s current research on "Islamo-Leftism"narratives35:20 Overview of Jonathan’s book chapter dissecting tropes of "Left/Muslim antisemitism"39:09 History of British Jews and the Labour Party's shifting relationship to Israel ("Jewish entry into whiteness", impact of holocaust, "Judaeo-Bolshevik",'"Judaeo-Christian"49:00 Shifting modes of antisemitism in the 18th century ("emancipation of Jewry") and 20th century (the "new antisemitism")56:00 Anti-capitalism, antisemitism and anti-Arab sentiment in the1970s and beyond1:02:33 Alaska sits Jonathan’s my lap1:02:30 Antisemitism in Islamic contexts (historical and contemporary) and the myth of "ancient hatred"1:07:28 The Labour Party "antisemitism" crisis; blurring of anti-Zionism and antisemitism (real and imagined)1:20:50 Palestine marches and accusations of antisemitism and Islamo-Leftism1:31:20 Gaza as an electoral issue1:40:50 Final thoughtshttps://open.spotify.com/episode/7emSDa7IMxIgAU2vZv4xPr__________You can download Jonathan's monograph 'Fake Gods and False History: Being Indian in a contested Mumbai neighbourhood' for FREE here:https://uclpress.co.uk/book/fake-gods-and-false-history/+ check out his latest album All The Years: https://open.spotify.com/album/2idFSAr6PRYW4xW9syTyN1?si=Uw7f0OBjRwarGLW4BJWDiwSend an email to referentialpodcast@gmail.com if you have any thoughts on a past episode you'd like featured in a future episode!You can find Dr. Jonathan Galton on twitter @JonathanGalton.Keep up to date with the podcast by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Hosted and produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas.Additional editing assistance by Laila. Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.Original podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Find our video essays on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@referentialpMore at www.alsopurple.comThank you for listening!Remember to leave the pod a 5* rating and review to help other people find the show!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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(The Lost Pilot) Troye & Sam (Or Queering the Mainstream with Miss Sundi) [RE-RELEASE]
Dec 2600:47:49Tap to summarizeRE-RELEASEA lot of you joined us since the first days of the pod so I figured I'd re-up the first ever test episode of REFERENTIAL recorded with the one and only Miss Sundi for those of you who mixed it!Give it a listen and REFERENTIAL will be back with you proper in a few days!----------Tangent Episode #1***Apologies for the audio quality! It's not too bad but we were still learning. Miss Sundi will be back on the pod soon with the mic their voice deserves!**'Tangents' are audio-only episodes posted more frequently than Video Episodes because they require less work/research/editingExpect quick reviews, edited out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and so on.. *Miss Sundi and I sit down to talk about and queerness in the mainstream, baby gays and how we're imagining queer futures.+ Find out how we also fit the following in:Troye Sivan & Sam SmithQueer JoyPost-EmpowermentCritiquing with empathyIdina Menzel is a 'Beast'Queer male bodiesLatinx MadonnaPride partiesJanet Jackson moaningQueer utopiasMoeshaQueerness & palatabilityRemember when Adele was dressed like Jamaica?And more!If you like homework, or looking for a recommendation list you can find the 'Citation Page' for this episode on the website www.alsopurple.com. You'll find all the books, shows and pods referenced in this conversation.Find Miss Sundi at sundi.in.the.park on Instagram and & @MJSundi elsewhere.Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. More at www.alsopurple.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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