Wikiversity

Posted on July 23, 2020 By Robert Payne

King Princess
King Princess performing on tour in 2018
Born
Mikaela Mullaney Straus

(1998-12-19) December 19, 1998 (age 25)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
Years active2015–present
Partner
  • Quinn Whitney Wilson (2019–2023)
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
LabelsZelig
Websitekingprincessmusic.com

Mikaela Mullaney Straus[1][2] (born December 19, 1998), known by her[a] stage name King Princess, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Brooklyn, New York. She is signed to Mark Ronson's label Zelig Records, an imprint of Columbia Records.[3] In February 2018, King Princess released her debut single "1950", from their debut extended play (EP) Make My Bed, released later that year. The song was a commercial success, charting in multiple territories, and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] Her second single, "Talia", was certified gold in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). King Princess released their debut studio album Cheap Queen in 2019 to widespread critical acclaim.

Early life

Straus was born and raised in the New York City borough of Brooklyn; she is the child of recording engineer Oliver H. Straus Jr. and Agnes "Aggie" Mullaney. Her parents divorced when she was young. On her mother's side, she is of Irish, Italian, and Polish descent. On her father's side, her great-great-grandparents include Isidor Straus, a U.S. Congressman and co-owner of Macy's, and Ida Straus; she was descended from German Jewish families, who emigrated to the United States from the Kingdom of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate. The couple died in the sinking of the British passenger liner Titanic.[5][6][7] However, Straus stated in a Rolling Stone interview that she is not an heiress and did not inherit any fortune.[8]

Straus spent much of her childhood following her father to work at his recording studio, Mission Sound. There, she learned several instruments, including bass, guitar, piano, and drums, as well as music-production techniques and insight into the music industry. Straus' inspiration in those years had come from the rock music of the bands Led Zeppelin and T. Rex, as well as Jack White.[9] In 2012, she received a scholarship to attend Avenues: The World School, a private school in Manhattan, after submitting a CD of songs she had written.[10][11][12]

After high school, Straus moved to Los Angeles to study at the USC Thornton School of Music. However, after a year, she dropped out in favor of her music career.[9]

Career

King Princess performing at Royale in Boston, Massachusetts, 2018

A record label offered to sign Straus at the age of 11, but she refused to do so because of her experience watching other artists work with a music label in her father's studio. The labels would control the artists' products and change the feel of the music. She did not want to sign with a record label until she had a definition of her music, how she wanted to run the production, and with whom she would work.[13]

In February 2018, King Princess released the debut single, "1950".[3][14] The song is a tribute to the romance novel The Price of Salt (1952) by Patricia Highsmith, to the LGBT community and to queer love. The song reached a wide audience when English singer and songwriter Harry Styles tweeted a lyric from the song.[9] Straus followed this with a second single, "Talia", in April.[15] She released her debut extended play, Make My Bed, on June 15, 2018.[16] Later that year, she earned Breakout Pop Artist of the Year honors from Vivid Seats.[17]

In 2019, it was announced that King Princess would perform at Lollapalooza[18] and Coachella.[19] She played The Park stage at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival and was joined by Mark Ronson (dressed as King Princess) for a performance of her collaboration "Pieces of Us" from his 2019 studio album Late Night Feelings.[20] Zelig Recordings released King Princess' debut studio album Cheap Queen on October 25, 2019.[21] She produced much of the album itself, including programming many of the instruments.[22] In November 2019, King Princess was revealed to be the opening act for the European leg of Harry Styles' planned 2020 concert tour, Love On Tour.[23] King Princess performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live (season 45, episode 7) on November 23, 2019.[24] She released a deluxe edition of Cheap Queen on February 14, 2020. The release included five previously unreleased new songs, including "Ohio".[25]

In October 2020, King Princess released a new single, "Only Time Makes It Human", followed by "PAIN" in November. In a November 2020 interview with Zane Lowe, she confirmed that she was working on her second album with Mark Ronson.[26]

In 2022, King Princess joined Kacey Musgraves on her Star-Crossed: Unveiled tour as an opening act. She also opened for Shawn Mendes' Wonder: The World Tour and opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their Global Stadium Tour. King Princess was also a judge on the Netflix game show style cooking competition television series Is It Cake?

On July 29, 2022, King Princess released her second album Hold On Baby and from July through October 2022, she embarked on her Hold On Baby North American tour with openers Dora Jar and St. Panther.[27] She also featured guests, such as Julian Casablancas at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, where they covered "You Only Live Once".[28]

Personal life

Straus is a lesbian and genderqueer.[29][30][31][32][33] During 2018, she dated actress Amandla Stenberg. In early 2019, Straus began a relationship with Quinn Whitney Wilson, the creative director of rapper and singer Lizzo; they broke up at the end of 2023.[34]

Regarding her gender identity, she has said in an interview with W magazine, "I like being a woman sometimes. I would say 49 percent of the time I love my titties. But I'm not fully a woman. I'm somebody who falls center on the gender spectrum, and it changes from day to day. It's just not in me to decide."[35] In 2023, Straus posted, "I'm tired of pretending I am normal. I am non-binary!!!" on Instagram, and has also made a number of other posts about gender.[36] Regarding pronouns, King Princess stated to Rolling Stone in 2022 that she "never felt offended [by] the pronoun situation... He. She. It. They. Xenu."[37]

Discography

King Princess discography
Studio albums2
EPs2
Singles15
Promotional singles5

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Current
[38] 		US
Heat
[39] 		US
Alt
[40] 		AUS
[41] 		UK
Physical
[42]
Cheap Queen 88 8 18 41 86
Hold On Baby
  • Released: July 29, 2022[43]
  • Label: Zelig
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl
 — — — — —

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart positions
NZ
Heat.
[44]
Make My Bed
  • Released: June 15, 2018[16]
  • Label: Zelig
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 1
Up Next Live from Apple Williamsburg
  • Released: August 5, 2019[45]
  • Label: Zelig
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Alt.
Airplay
[46] 		AUS
[47] 		AUT
[48] 		BEL
(FL)
[49] 		CAN
[50] 		NLD
[51] 		NZ
Hot
[52] 		SWE
[53] 		SWI
[54]
"1950" 2017 17 25 75 48 82 83 — 87 94 Make My Bed
"Talia" 2018 — — — — — — — — —
"Pussy Is God"[60] — — — — — — 17 — — Non-album single
"Cheap Queen"[61] 2019 — — — 98 — — 17 — — Cheap Queen
"Prophet"[62] — — — — — — 17 — —
"Ain't Together"[63] — — — — — — — — —
"Hit the Back"[64] — — — — — — — — —
"Ohio"[65] 2020 — — — — — — — — —
"Only Time Makes It Human"[66] — — — — — — 33 — — Non-album singles
"Pain"[67] — — — — — — — — —
"House Burn Down" 2021 — — — — — — — — —
"Little Bother"
(with Fousheé) 		2022 — — — — — — — — — Hold On Baby
"For My Friends" — — — — — — — — —
"Too Bad" — — — — — — — — —
"Cursed" — — — — — — — — —
"Change the Locks" — — — — — — — — —
"Let Us Die" — — — — — — — — —
"The Bend"[68] 2023 — — — — — — — — — NME x Bose's C32
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Title Year Peak chart position Album
NZ
Hot
[69]
"Pieces of Us"[70]
(Mark Ronson featuring King Princess) 		2019 24 Late Night Feelings

Promotional singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Femme Fatale" (RISE Recording) 2018 Non-album singles
"I Know" (RISE Recording)
(featuring Fiona Apple) 		2019
"Happy Together"
(with Mark Ronson)
"Monster"[71] 2020 Adventure Time: Distant Lands – Obsidian (Original Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]
"There She Goes Again" 2021 I 'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to the Velvet Underground & Nico

Music videos

Title Year Director
"1950"[72] 2018 Clare Gillen
"Talia"[73]
"Make My Bed"[74] Mikey Alfred
"Holy"[75] Clare Gillen and Scott Ross
"Upper West Side"[76] Clare Gillen
"Pussy Is God"[77]
"Cheap Queen"[78] 2019 Symone Ridgell
"Prophet"[79] Cody Critcheloe
"Hit the Back" (dance video)[80] Henry Metcalf and Mikaela Straus
"Hit the Back" (live performance)[81] Josh Goleman
"If You Thing It's Love" (live performance)[82]
"Homegirl" (live)[83] Blythe Thomas and Grams
"Ohio"[84] 2020 Cody Critcheloe
"Only Time Makes It Human"[85] Quinn Wilson
"Pain"[86]
"Little Bother" (live performance)[87] 2022 Terrence O'Connor
"For My Friends"[88] Nick Harwood
"Too Bad" / "Cursed"[89] Quinn Wilson
"Let Us Die"[90]

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artists Album
"Run Me Through" (King Princess Remix)[91] 2018 Perfume Genius Reshaped EP
"Fell in Love with a Girl"[92] 2019 — Triple J Like a Version 15

Awards and nominations

In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ pride parade, Queerty named her among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people".[93][94]

Year Organization Award Work Result
2018 BBC Sound of 2019 Herself Second[95]
DIY Class of 2019 Included[96]
2019 Rolling Stone Germany's
International Music Award 		Beginner Pending[97]
2020 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Music Artist Cheap Queen Nominated[98]

Notes

  1. ^ King Princess uses both she/her and they/them pronouns. This article uses she/her pronouns for consistency.

References

  1. ^ "King Princess: 'As per usual, we're in a drought of good music'". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Your query : Creator's Name begins with STRAUS MIKAELA on any territories (Domestic works)". ISWC. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Jessica (February 26, 2018). "Future Stars: King Princess (Columbia/Zelig Records)". This Must Be Pop. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Straus, Isidor (2011). Autobiography of Isidor Straus. Smithtown, NY: The Straus Historical Society. pp. 168–176.
  6. ^ Newstead, Al (October 19, 2018). "King Princess on reappropriating White Stripes and her "extra as hell" family history". triple j. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  7. ^ Wood, Mikael (October 30, 2019). "Genderqueer pop sensation King Princess: 'The tea is we've always been the tea'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Martoccio, Angie (October 31, 2019). "King Princess on her Drag Persona and Titanic Lineage". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Dunn, Frankie (April 30, 2018). "you probably know her debut single 1950, now get to know king princess". i-D. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  10. ^ Martoccio, Angie (June 2, 2022). "King Princess: An Untamed Pop Queen Arrives". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  11. ^ "Mikaela Straus - Stats". MileSplit New York.
  12. ^ "Issue 5 by The Highliner - Issuu". issuu.com. October 24, 2016.
  13. ^ "King Princess interview (part 1)". YouTube. October 3, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  14. ^ Maher, Amelia (February 24, 2018). "King Princess' debut single "1950" is a beautiful exploration of unrequited love". The Line Of Best Fit. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  15. ^ "Rookie » Life Soundtrack: King Princess". www.rookiemag.com. April 13, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  16. ^ a b ""King Princess Aims For Her Own Fairytale Success Story". Hotpress. May 18, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  17. ^ "2018 Year In Review: The Year in Live Events". Vivid Seats. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  18. ^ @lollapalooza (March 20, 2019). "Here it is your 2019 #Lolla Lineup! Grab your 4-Day Tickets and get ready to party with Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, Tame Impala, Flume, The Chainsmokers, J Balvin + more!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Lineup | Coachella 2017". March 20, 2017. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  20. ^ Hobbs, Thomas (July 2, 2019). "Watch Mark Ronson join King Princess at Glastonbury — dressed as King Princess". NME. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  21. ^ Barlow, Eve (September 9, 2019). "Bend the Knee: King Princess, Brooklyn queer pop royalty, is ready for the throne". Vulture. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  22. ^ Pareles, Jon (October 23, 2019). "King Princess Puts Modern Romance in a Musical Time Machine". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  23. ^ Allston, Trey (November 13, 2019). "Harry Styles and King Princess Will Melt Hearts Together in 2020". MTV. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Miller, Victoria (November 24, 2019). "King Princess Takes Over 'Saturday Night Live,' Fans React To Singer's Stunning 'SNL' Debut". The Inquisitr. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  25. ^ Richards, Will (February 11, 2020). "King Princess shares huge new song 'Ohio' from deluxe edition of 'Cheap Queen'". NME. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  26. ^ Enis, Eli (November 23, 2020). "King Princess releases new song "PAIN": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  27. ^ Anderson, Carys (March 18, 2022). "King Princess announces new album and tour, shares "For My Friends": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  28. ^ "King Princess Covers The Strokes' 'You Only Live Once' with Julian Casablancas in NYC — Watch!". People. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  29. ^ Gilmour, Paisley (June 4, 2019). "King Princess just got very real about identifying as a lesbian". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  30. ^ Gutowitz, Jill (June 15, 2018). "King Princess Is a Genderqueer Pop Icon for the Next Generation of Queer Youth". Them. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  31. ^ Daly, Rhian (July 23, 2018). "King Princess: Meet the gay icon-in-waiting who's come to wreak glorious havoc on pop". NME. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  32. ^ Tilchen, Jordyn (October 31, 2019). "King Princess Is 'Bored Of Heteronormative Narrative' — But Don't Put Her Music Into A Box". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  33. ^ Robinson, Lisa (September 9, 2019). "King Princess Is Pop Music's Newest Crown Jewel". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  34. ^ Gilmour, Paisley (September 20, 2019). "Is King Princess dating Quinn Wilson, Lizzo's creative director?". Cosmopolitan UK. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Bagley, Christopher (June 5, 2019). "King Princess on the Limits of Being Pop's New Queer Idol: "I'd Rather Put Out Good Art"". W Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  36. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/CppDAVVJBKk/?hl=en and https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg5fmkypx9_/?hl=en
  37. ^ Cruz, Christopher (June 3, 2022). "King Princess Builds a Dream Mixtape and Uncomfortably Navigates Being Googled". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "Top Current Albums – November 9, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  39. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Artists – November 9, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  40. ^ "Alternative Music: Top Alternative Albums – November 9, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  41. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  42. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart: 08 November 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  43. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (June 2, 2022). "King Princess shares release date and manifesto for new album Hold On Baby". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  44. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  45. ^ "Up Next Live from Apple Williamsburg – EP". Apple Music. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  46. ^ Peak chart positions in the United States:
  47. ^ "Mikaela Straus". australian-charts.com. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  48. ^ "Discographie King Princess" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  49. ^ "KING PRINCESS – 1950" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  50. ^ "Chart Search – King Princess: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  51. ^ "KING PRINCESS – 1950" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  52. ^ "HOT 40 SINGLES". Recorded Music NZ. November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  53. ^ "Mikaela Straus" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  54. ^ "KING PRINCESS – 1950" (in German). Swiss Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  55. ^ "American single certifications – King Princess – Eastside". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  56. ^ "BRIT Certified – bpi" (enter "King Princess" into the "Keywords" box, then select "Search"). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  57. ^ "Gold/Platinum: King Princess". Music Canada. June 7, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  58. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  59. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  60. ^ Newstead, Al (November 2, 2018). "First Spin: King Princess' romantic new single 'Pussy Is God' is love at first listen". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  61. ^ "cheap queen coming to u this Friday can you even believe it ?!". May 28, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019 – via Twitter.
  62. ^ @KingPrincess69 (July 15, 2019). "Prophet is out on Friday my loves ;)" (Tweet). Retrieved July 16, 2019 – via Twitter.
  63. ^ Richards, Will (September 3, 2019). "King Princess shares new song 'Ain't Together' featuring Father John Misty on drums". NME. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  64. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (October 3, 2019). "King Princess unveils soulful new track "Hit the Back"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  65. ^ Daw, Stephen (February 11, 2020). "King Princess Finally Gives Fans What She Want With 'Ohio': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  66. ^ "Only Time Makes It Human – Trailer". YouTube. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  67. ^ "PAIN – Single by King Princess". Apple Music. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  68. ^ "KING PRINCESS SHARES NEW SINGLE 'THE BEND'". DIY Mag. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  69. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 1, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  70. ^ Bien, Kat (June 17, 2019). "Mark Ronson & King Princess Ride a Retro Dream on 'Pieces of Us': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  71. ^ "Monster (From the Max Original Adventure Time: Distant Lands – Obsidian) – Single by Adventure Time & King Princess". Apple Music. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  72. ^ "King Princess – 1950". YouTube. February 22, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  73. ^ "King Princess – Talia (Official Video)". YouTube. May 16, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  74. ^ "King Princess – Make My Bed". YouTube. June 14, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  75. ^ "King Princess – Holy (Official Video)". YouTube. July 26, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  76. ^ "King Princess – Upper West Side (Official Video)". YouTube. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  77. ^ "King Princess – Pussy is God". YouTube. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  78. ^ "King Princess – Cheap Queen (Official Video)". YouTube. June 13, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  79. ^ "King Princess – Prophet (Official Video)". YouTube. August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  80. ^ "King Princess – Hit the Back (Dance Video)". YouTube. October 4, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  81. ^ "King Princess – Hit the Back (live performance)". YouTube. November 13, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  82. ^ "King Princess – If You Think It's Love (live performance)". YouTube. November 13, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  83. ^ "King Princess – Homegirl (live)". YouTube. December 12, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  84. ^ "King Princess – Ohio (Official Video)". YouTube. February 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  85. ^ "King Princess – Only Time Makes It Human (Official Video)". YouTube. October 15, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  86. ^ "King Princess – Pain (Official Video)". YouTube. December 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  87. ^ "King Princess – Little Bother (Live Performance)". YouTube. January 27, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  88. ^ "King Princess – For My Friends (Official Video)". YouTube. March 17, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  89. ^ "King Princess – Too Bad / Cursed (Official Video)". YouTube. June 8, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  90. ^ "King Princess – Let Us Die (Official Video)". YouTube. July 28, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  91. ^ Haas, Anna (May 29, 2018). "Perfume Genius Announces Remix EP Reshaped, King Princess "Run Me Through" Remix". Paste Magazine. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  92. ^ "Triple J Like a Version 15". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  93. ^ "Queerty Pride50 2020 Honorees". Queerty. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  94. ^ Tracer, Daniel (July 15, 2020). "These musicians became queer role models young fans need, and they're changing the world for good". Queerty. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  95. ^ "BBC Sound of 2019: 'Queer icon' King Princess is the runner-up". BBC. January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  96. ^ "Class Of 2019: King Princess". DIY. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  97. ^ "SHORTLIST: DAS SIND DIE NOMINIERTEN DES IMA 2019". Rolling Stone Germany (in German). Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  98. ^ "The Nominations for the 31st Annual GLAAD Awards". glaad.com. January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Princess

    by Robert Payne

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