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{{short description|American rapper}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Mark Battles
| image =
| caption = Battles shooting the "Let em know" music video
| birth_name = Mark Anthony Battles
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1991|9|2}}
| birth_place = [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], U.S.
| occupation = songwriter, Producer Rapper
| years_active = 2011–present
| website = {{URL|https://www.markbattlesmusic.com}}
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| label = {{flatlist|
* Fly America / After the platinum
}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|
[[Tory Lanez]]|[[Los (rapper)|King Los]]|[[French Montana]]| [[Dorian (rapper)|DORIAN]]| [[Kid Ink]]| [[Dizzy Wright]]|[[Wale (rapper)|Wale]]| [[Futuristic (rapper)|Futuristic]]| [[Curren$y]]|[[Locksmith (rapper)|Locksmith]]}}
}}

'''Mark Anthony Battles''' (born September 2, 1991) is an American [[rapper]], [[songwriter]], [[entrepreneur]] and [[Record producer|producer]] from [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]. Battles is the founder of Fly America, an independent hip hop record label.<ref name="indystar">{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/09/14/mark-battles-indianapolis-rapper-dizzy-wright-artium-fly-america-pike-threes/90259452/ |title=Meet Mark Battles, the rapper who's ready to come home |last=Lindquist |first=David |date=2016-09-14 |publisher=[[Indy Star]] }}</ref>

In 2012, Battles released his first mixtape ''Walking Distance'' and gained online recognition for his song "Last Night", which placed second on [[MTVu]] and was later remixed by [[Kid Ink]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/mark-battles/819542/last-night.jhtml |title=Mark Battles "Last Night" |last= |first= |date=2012-07-26 |publisher=[[MTV]] }}</ref> He has worked closely with [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]], [[Dizzy Wright]], [[French Montana]] and [[Kevin Gates]], overall releasing a dozen mixtapes including a collaboration project with [[Tory Lanez]] and [[King Los]], surpassing a million digital downloads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26828/title.king-los-mark-battles-broken-silence-release-date-cover-art-download-mixtape-stream |title=King Los & Mark Battles "Broken Silence" Release Date, Cover Art, Download & Mixtape Stream |last=Baker |first=Soren |date=2013-12-30 |publisher=[[HipHopDX]] |access-date=2014-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113005509/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26828/title.king-los-mark-battles-broken-silence-release-date-cover-art-download-mixtape-stream |archive-date=2015-01-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/premiere-mark-battles-feat-french-montana-and-derek-luh-cant-stand-us |title=Premiere: Mark Battles Feat. French Montana And Derek Luh 'Cant Stand Us |last= |first= |date=2013-10-17 |publisher=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://respect-mag.com/new-mixtape-king-los-mark-battles-broken-silence/ |title=New Mixtape: King Los & Mark Battles – Broken Silence |last=Griffen |first=Sam |date=2013-12-30 |publisher=[[Respect. (magazine)|Respect. Magazine]] }}</ref>

In October 2015, Battles released his first independent album ''Numb'', which peaked at #25 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop and Heatseeker charts.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6723802/mark-battles/chart |title=Mark Battles: Billboard Chart History |last= |first= |date=2016-05-17 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref> In 2016, Battles was named alongside [[Kendrick Lamar]] and [[YG (rapper)|YG]] in ''5 Influential Rappers On Mental Health Stigma'' by [[The Huffington Post]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5-influential-rappers-that-broke-the-mental-health_us_57896a66e4b0e7c873500ec7 |title=5 Influential Rappers That Broke The Mental Health Stigma |last= |first= |date=2016-07-27 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] }}</ref> In 2017 Battles released a project titled “Day 2” which featured artists such as Brittani Jenae and Tory Lanez. The following year in 2018, Battles released a project titled “Vasi World” that he admits was not his best effort despite overwhelming positive feedback.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} Most recently he has released a project titled “Fortunate” which consists of zero features{{Clarify|date=April 2021}} and his second most commercially successful song, “Numb.”

== Early life ==

Mark Anthony Battles was born on September 2, 1991 in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. His mother is Chiffonda Ducking. He has 2 brothers named Anthony and Carl, and one sister.<ref name="wthr" /> Battles and his siblings were raised in the urban, poor communities of Indianapolis, having lived in several homeless shelters during the early part of his childhood. However, it wasn't until he began high school that things got a bit better for his mother.

He began rapping under a different stage name before using his current rap name. He graduated as Class of 2009 from [[Pike High School]] located in northern [[Indianapolis]]. His inspiration for music originated from hip hop icons such as [[Big Pun]], [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]], [[Eminem]] and [[2Pac]].

On August 31, 2006, his brother Carl Battles was riding the backseat of his sister Aishareika's car to school. In the morning hours, Aishareika's car collided with a pick up truck on Northwestern Side near 71st street near their school [[Pike High School]].<ref name="wthr">{{cite web|url=http://www.wthr.com/story/5384404/family-mourns-pike-students-death |title=Family mourns Pike student's death |last=Davis |first=Linsey |date=2006-09-01 |publisher=[[NBC]] }}</ref> Carl, Aishareika and Mark were rushed to the hospital, however shortly after arriving at the hospital, Carl was pronounced dead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/counselors-help-pike-students-deal-with-fatal-crash |title=Counselors Help Pike Students Deal With Fatal Crash |last= |first= |date=2006-09-01 |publisher=[[ABC News]] }}</ref> Local media reports state that both cars were speeding on a yellow light, and as a result of the accident prompted the roads near the school to be enforced with speed cameras.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fox59.com/2013/05/16/speed-enforcement-cameras-in-indiana-school-zones/ |title=Speed enforcement cameras in Indiana school zones? |last=Spehler |first=Dan |date=2013-05-16 |publisher=FOX }}</ref>

In several songs performed by Battles, including ''"One For The Money"'', he mentions and pays tribute to his brother Carl. His brother Carl was, according to Battles, the reason for his motivation to pursue a music career.

== Musical career ==

=== 2011–2012: Career beginnings ===

Mark started rapping officially at age 15. Mark started his own independent [[record label]] called ''Fly America'' in 2011, which is a brand that is heard throughout his music. In 2012, Mark released his first mixtape called ''Walking Distance'' with appearances by [[Kid Ink]], [[Lola Monroe]] and [[King Los]]. Walking Distance went on to be certified gold on DatPiff, having over 100,000 digital downloads. Mark's music video single Last Night was remixed by Kid Ink and was released without a music video. Most of the material in the mixtape was produced by Mark's DJ & producer, DJ Yung 1. Mark's most famous singles were "Ugh Oh" featuring Los, and ''Last Night'', which was featured on MTVu Freshman and hit second place for air time on [[MTV]].<ref name="mtvu">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvu.com/music/videos-by-first-things-first-krushai-mark-battles-rob-scott-vali/ |title=You Pick The Video That Gets On Air |last= |first= |date=2012-10-08 |publisher=[[MTV]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVNS1_brcHQ |title=Mark Battles - Ugh Oh (ft. Los) |last= |first= |date=2013-11-27 |publisher=VEVO (YouTube) }}</ref>

Mark has remixed numerous famous hip hop songs which have appeared on his mixtapes. On November 2012, Mark released the first part of his mixtape series ''Saturday School''. In 2012, Mark Battles went on tour with MMG recording artist Rockie Fresh.<ref name="hotfm">{{cite web|url=http://hot963.com/2065219/naptowns-mark-battles-on-tour-w-mmg-rockie-fresh-and-decided-to-show/ |title=Naptown's Mark Battles On Tour w MMG Rockie Fresh and decided to show |last=Swift |first=B |date=2012-11-25 |work=[[WYHX|Hot 96.3]] }}</ref>

=== 2013–2015: Mixtape Series & ''Numb'' ===

In 2013, Battles released his 3 part Saturday School mixtape series, along with a national tour that included a sold-out show alongside Bad Boy rapper [[Machine Gun Kelly (musician)|MGK]]. On December 27, 2013, he released his collaboration mixtape with King Los. The mixtape Broken Silence was released in 2013 and artists featured include [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]], [[Curren$y]], [[Ab-Soul]], [[French Montana]], [[Dizzy Wright]], [[Cyhi Da Prynce]] and [[Chevy Woods]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapdose.com/2013/12/28/king-los-mark-battles-broken-silence-mixtape |title=King Los & Mark Battles – Broken Silence (Mixtape) |last=Fall |first=Kyle |date=2013-12-27 |publisher=Rapdose }}</ref> The first single was released titled "Got A Feeling" which featured [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]] and former Fly America rapper Derek Luh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.citypaper.com/noise/index.php/2014/01/los-collaborates-with-mark-battles-and-wale-on-new-mixtape/ |title=Los Collaborates With Mark Battles and Wale On New Mixtape |last=Shipley |first=Al |date=2014-01-02 |publisher=CityPaper }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/mark-battles-announces-new-mixtape-black-einstein-with-cover-art-and-release-date-news.9103.html |title=Mark Battles Announces Black Einstein |last=Lilah |first=Rose |date=2014-01-28 |publisher=HotNewHipHop }}</ref> On August 12, 2014 Battles released another mixtape titled "Preseason".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Mark-Battles-Pre-Season-mixtape.638371.html |title=Mark Battles Preseason Datpiff |last= |first= |date=2014-01-28 |publisher=Datpiff }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://events.kzok.cbslocal.com/seattle_wa/events/fly-america-presents-mark-battles-and-derek-luh-/E0-001-087130212-5 |title=Fly America Presents: MARK BATTLES Plus Guests |last= |first= |date=2016-11-15 |publisher=[[CBS News]] }}</ref>

On October 2, 2015, Battles released his debut studio album "Numb", which was released independently on iTunes. The album peaked at #25 on the U.S. [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] Heatseekers charts and reached #39 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts.<ref name="Billboard"/>

=== 2016-2017: ''Before The Deal'' & ''Day 2'' ===

On May 13, 2016, Battles announced on his Twitter account a partnership deal with iconic music producer No ID's record label [[ARTium Recordings]], a division of [[Def Jam Records]].<ref name="indystar" /> The deal came after the release of a dozen musical projects and national tours, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.sltrib.com/events/view/mark_battles_and_derek_luh|title=Mark Battles - Before The Deal Tour |last=|first= |date=2016-06-26 |publisher=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] }}</ref> Shortly after, Battles announced his latest musical project "Before The Deal" and released a music video for the single "No Love" featuring Futuristic and King Los.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/mark-battles-feat-futuristic-king-los-no-love-video-new-video.37555.html|title="No Love" Video: Mark Battles Feat Futuristic and King Los |last=|first= |date=2016-05-24 |publisher=HotNewHipHop }}</ref>

On May 31, 2016, Battles released his second studio album "Before the Deal", for digital release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hot97.com/news/whos-next-0/scottiebeam-releases-putyouonplaylist-523-audio|title=Hot 97: Who's Next Playlist |last=Beam|first=Scottie |date=2016-05-23 |publisher=[[Hot 97]] }}</ref> Within a couple of hours after its release, Before the Deal topped at #8 on the Top Rap album iTunes charts. On the week of June 18, 2016, Before the Deal debuted on Billboard's Top Heatseekers charts at #15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mark-battles-mn0003263735|title=Mark Battles' Biography & Billboard Chart History: AllMusic |last=Kellman|first=Andy |date=2016-12-11 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref> A nationwide tour was announced called "The Before The Deal Tour", which began in June 2016. Throughout 2016, Battles has collaborated with several recording artists including Dizzy Wright, Audio Push and Locksmith.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40007/title.dizzy-wright-announces-still-movin-tour-with-audio-push-demrick-mark-battles|title=Dizzy Wright Announces Still Movin Tour With Audio Push, Demrick & Mark Battles |last=Hunte|first=Justin |date=2016-08-15 |publisher=[[HipHopDX]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2016/09/locksmith-grime-video/|title=Locksmith Unleashes the "Grime" |last=Ivey|first=Justin |date=2016-09-12 |publisher=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL Mag]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2016/11/01/new-video-locksmith-x-mark-battles-epic/|title=NEW VIDEO: LOCKSMITH X MARK BATTLES: "EPIC" |last=|first= |date=2016-11-01 |publisher=RapRadar }}</ref> In Summer of 2016, Mark Battles became one of three artists as part of Dizzy Wright's "Still Movin" tour with Audio Push.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40007/title.dizzy-wright-announces-still-movin-tour-with-audio-push-demrick-mark-battles |title=Dizzy Wright Announces Still Movin Tour With Audio Push, Demrick & Mark Battles |last=Hunte |first=Justin |date=2016-08-15 |publisher=HipHopDX }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dizzy-wright-announces-still-movin-tour-with-audio-push-mark-battles-and-demrick-news.23494.html |title=Dizzy Wright Announces "Still Movin" Tour With Audio Push, Mark Battles & Demrick |last=Goddard |first=Kevin |date=2016-08-15 |publisher=HotNewHipHop }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/event/dizzy-wright-dj-hoppa-audio-push-mark-battles-demrick-7337543 |title=Dizzy Wright, DJ Hoppa, Audio Push, Mark Battles, Demrick |last= |first= |date=2016-10-02 |publisher=[[LA Weekly]] }}</ref>

In September 2016, Battles collaborated with fellow Indianapolis native Dorian for the official remix of [[Dorian (rapper)|Dorian]]'s hit single "Don't Sleep".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dont-sleep-remix-feat-mark-battles-single/id1178858280|title=Dont Sleep (Remix) [feat. Mark Battles]|website=Apple Music|access-date=2017-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Dorian-rapper-Dont-Sleep-remix-feat-Mark-Battles/release/9827944|title=Dorian (rapper) - Don't Sleep (remix) feat. Mark Battles|date=2016-09-01|website=Discogs|access-date=2017-07-02}}</ref>

In November 2016, Battles was interviewed by XXL magazine, in which he stated he described his relationship with producer NO I.D. as "The new kid on the block." After the radio interview, several hip hop artists including Nebraska rapper HAKIM, expressed their inspiration for Battles' comeup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/arts_and_entertainment/local-rapper-welcomes-struggle-of-going-big-strives-to-inspire/article_2525c41a-bd04-11e6-9e22-5fb60b962e4a.html |title=Local rapper welcomes struggle of going big, strives to inspire |last=Crisler |first=Sam |date=2016-12-08 |publisher=[[The Daily Nebraskan]] }}</ref>

On May 26 of 2017, in collaboration with Quality Control Music founder Coach K, Battles released a studio album with Tory Lanez called ''Day 2,'' which received mainstream radio airplay in the US.

=== 2018-present: ''Vasi World EP'' ===

On February 9, 2018, Battles released his ''Vasi World EP'' with Fly America and Quality Control Music. The following month, he announced the Vasi World Spring Tour featuring DJ Yung 1, T.Fitz, 12Fifteen, and King Kap.

== Fly America ==
{{Infobox record label
| name = Fly America
| image =
| image_bg =
| parent =
| founded = 2011
| founder = Mark Battles, DJ Yung 1
| status = Active
| distributor =
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip Hop]]
| country = United States
| location =
| url =
}}
'''Fly America (FA)''' is an American independent hip-hop record company founded by Mark Battles, the label's landmark recording artist. In 2016, Battles announced a partnership deal with [[No ID]]'s imprint ARTium Recordings, a part of [[Def Jam Records]]; however, in 2017, Battles formed a partnership with Atlanta music manager Coach K.<ref name="indystar" /> Since its creation, in 2011, former hip hop recording artist Derek Luh, Jace Houston, King Kap, Brittani Jenae, and DJ Yung 1 have been signed to Fly America.

=== Current artists ===
* Mark Battles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X95a0rNrMo8|title=XXL Magazine Radio - Mark Battles Interview|last=Trexxx|first=DJ |date=2016-11-23 |publisher=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] }}</ref>
* 12Fifteen
* Brittani Jenae
* DJ Yung 1 (DJ/Producer)

=== Former artists ===
* Derek Luh
* Jace Houston

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of albums, with selected chart positions and sales figures
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top Heatseekers]] <ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6723802/mark-battles/chart?f=324|title=Top Heatseekers - Billboard US Charts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]] <ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6723802/mark-battles/chart|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Billboard US Charts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | ''[[ARTium Recordings|Numb]]''
|
* Released: October 2, 2015
* Label: Self-released
* Formats: [[Music download|digital download]]
| 25 || 39
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top Heatseekers]] <ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2016-06-18|title=Top Heatseekers - Billboard US Charts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]] 
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | ''[[ARTium Recordings|Before The Deal]]''
|
* Released: May 31, 2016
* Label: Self-released
* Formats: [[Music download|digital download]]
| 15 || --
|}

* ''Day 2'' (2017)

=== Mixtapes ===

* ''Good Morning America'' (2011)
* ''Walking Distance'' (2012)
* ''Saturday School'' (2011)
* ''Saturday School 2'' (2012)
* ''Saturday School 3'' (2012)
* ''Broken Silence'' (2013)
* ''Black Einstein'' (2014)
* ''Preseason'' (2014)
* ''Lost In Reality'' (2015) (with [[Dizzy Wright]] and Euroz)
* ''Shelter Food'' (2015)
* ''Until September'' (2015)
* ''Vasi World'' (2018)
* ''Foturnate'' (2018)
* ''Fortunate2'' (2019)

== Tours ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Tour Name
|-
|2018
|Vasi World Spring Tour
|-
|2017
|Day 2 Tour
|-
|2016
|Still Movin Tour<ref name="uproxx">{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/dizzy-wright_still-movintour/ |title=Dizzy Wright Announces The 'Still Movin' Tour With Audio Push, Mark Battles And Demrick |last=Anand |first=Raj |date=2016-08-15 |work=[[Uproxx]] }}</ref>
|-
|2016
|Indy Homecoming Show<ref name="indystar" /><ref name="hot963">{{cite web|url=http://hot963.com/events/mark-battles-homecoming-show-9-16-16/ |title=Hot 96.3 - Indy Homecoming Show, Mark Battles |last= |first= |date=2016-09-16 |work=[[WYHX|Hot 96.3]] }}</ref>
|-
|2016
|The Before The Deal Tour<ref name="cbschiago">{{cite web|url=http://events.us995.cbslocal.com/chicago_il/events/mark-battles-live-chicago-il-all-ages-event-/E0-001-093992961-9 |title=Mark Battles Live In Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall |last= |first= |date=2016-07-05 |work=[[CBS News]] }}</ref>
|-
|2015
|The Numb Tour
|-
|2014
|The Dreams 2 Reality Tour<ref name="dreams2realitytour">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/mark-battles-announces-the-dreams-2-reality-tour-sponsored-by-hnhh-news.11758.html |title=Mark Battles Announces The "Dreams 2 Reality" Tour, Sponsored By HNHH |last=Lyons |first=Patrick |date=2014-08-21 |work=HotNewHipHop }}</ref><ref name="dreams2realitybehindscenes">{{cite web|url=http://hot963.com/2368280/mark-battles-the-dreams-2-reality-tour-vlog-1-behind-the-scenes/ |title=Mark Battles – "The Dreams 2 Reality" Tour Vlog #1 (Behind The Scenes) |last=Swift |first=B |date=2014-06-10 |work=[[WYHX|Hot 96.3]] }}</ref>
|-
|}

== See also ==
* [[Hip hop music]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.weareflyamerica.com/ Official Website]
* [https://twitter.com/markbattles317/ Twitter]
* [https://www.facebook.com/markbattlesmusic/ Facebook]

{{Vivendi|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battles, Mark}}
[[Category:1991 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Record producers from Indiana]]
[[Category:Musicians from Indianapolis]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Indianapolis]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Indiana]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:American male rappers]]
[[Category:Rappers from Indiana]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:American hip hop singers]]
[[Category:Midwest hip hop musicians]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]

Mark Battles - Revision history

imported>Abm1994: Improved wording and formatting

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