Avg Rating: 
4.2 ( 50 total votes )
Nas & Damian Marley - Africa Must Wake Up
Artist: Nas & Damian Marley
Featuring: Nas , Damian Marley , K'NAAN
Producer: Damian Marley
Album: Distant Relatives
Label: Universal Motown
If you haven’t yet signed up for Nas and Damian Marley’s African tour, there’s no need to worry; even though their recent Booth features As We Enter and Strong Will Continue have caught fire, the tour is just beginning, so take your seat. Approaching us on your left is Africa Must Wake Up, a brilliant album cut that has Nas and Damian teaming up with K’Naan to deliver nearly seven minutes of inspiration…please, no pictures – it’s known for its timid nature. As you can see on our right, Mr. Marley’s passionate vocals on the hook and simplistic drum foundation, soft strings and guitar on the production compliments Africa nicely. Straight ahead of us (if you stay quiet) you can hear K’Naan singing a verse in his native tongue – the beautiful arrangement has been said by villagers in these parts to have the power to calm, ease tension, and even heal those who listen to it. Be sure to pick up a copy of Nas & Damian’s collaborative project Distant Relatives at the end of this tour…uh…I mean when it drops May 18.
This song first appeared on the
Rap Chart
on May 3, 2010
Listen to More: Nas & Damian Marley , Nas , Damian Marley , K'NAAN , Hitmaker, Lyrical, Reggae/Dancehall Written by Matty K
More From Nas & Damian Marley
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11662 |
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Everything I have heard from this album (about half) has far-exceeded whatever expectations I formed when I heard these two talents were joining at the hip for a collabo album. Joined by one of my favorite artists of today - K'NAAN - and you have nothing short of a classic from me.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 877 |
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This is a relaxing tune, but its not my style. Nas has a nice verse. K'naan is a rising star. Wavin Flag is a classic.
"Africa is the origin of the all the world's religions" |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 877 |
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Forgot to add the guitar solo in the middle of the song was smooth.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Professional  Total Ratings: 18 |
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damn feelin this...deep marley got that Bob in him...real good production real instruments will go well Live...Soul
only math i like is counting money.. OFFICIAL MIXTAPE DJ FOR TRUE MAGAZINE L.A. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1217 |
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I must say, even though a white boy like myself would in no way be able to relate to this particular topic, Nas and Damian Marley have added yet another Near-Classic to their list. "Africa Must Wake Up" is composed of three things. The first being the production, which gives off a very smooth vibe, while at the same time, incorporates an eclectic group of instrumentals that help paint a vivid picture of the concept at hand.
Second, you can never go wrong with Nas on a track and finally, the hook which Damian creates with his soulful vocals. While this was not a masterpiece, it is most definitely a noteworthy track. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 475 |
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Probably my least favorite track to leak from Distant Relatives. A banger nonetheless.
On a sidenote, K'Naan is pure fire. When can we expect his junior album? |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 127 |
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Gosh, the booth is definatly having a good day with features. This is a nice relaxing tune with a nice hook and good verses. Not much more I can want from an album like this. All in all a great track.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 288 |
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Another classic from Mr Marley & Nasir.
I will definitely pick the album up. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 687 |
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I'm picking up a hard copy of this album no doubt. I haven't anticipated an album like this in a while. Super smooth vibe. @RyanSx, you really can't go wrong with Nas on the track. The guitar solo was a perfect fit. 4.5 but I'll round up for the average
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 306 |
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mtv had had shown the knann/wale concert online and me and many were watching that which was my first introduction too knann live and boy what a experience, if wale was the lighthearted and fun then knann was the spiritual part of this tour great concert by and far.
and when marley and naz came on it was pretty big. too see them all make a insparational song about the motherland thats what music is all about bringing awareness too the problems and making us feel complete overall. defenetley my favorite part was damion that chorus is just touching and really digs deep you know so automatic classic is all i hear great great track. 5 stars, all i had too say |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 908 |
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4.5/5
Truly a beautiful work. I have high expectations for Distant Relatives, and have yet to feel disappointed with any of the tracks thus far. I have a lot of respect to the team behind this for this movement, and even more for including a very deserving individual, K'Naan, along for the ride. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 613 |
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Very glad we're getting an album from Nas & Marley. Hate to use a cliche but there's no better way to describe their chemistry than like peanut butter & jelly (it's up to you whose who). Falls slightly short of classic imo. 4.5.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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I love it. A song that makes you think. Can't wait for this album. Going to be a great summer album.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 133 |
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@Matthew Kyle: Great Introduction.
If any two people could do something amazing like this Nas and Marley are the perfect duet. Wyclef wouldn't have the same chemistry as Nas. This is a high anticipated purchase of mine since I first got wind they would being making an album together. The production sets up the song perfectly. Calming it is Matthew, I could just listen to the instrumental alone. Damien's voice floats effortlessly along side the beat and Nas adds a Hip Hop edge to set this song into a classic. Lengthy track but it played on without much notice. The African singing, genius! Kudos to K'naan for producing such a great track and who's feature is equally as impressive I'll say it again, there could be no better duet to put out music like this. Two life paths crossing, each fulfilling their own purpose coming together to produce something epic. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
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A lineup like this will produce nothing short of a classic. The production by Damian was off the hook.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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Ight ya'll, dont take this the wrong way, Im diggin this track, but something about it is not connecting for me. Sometimes i go a little against the grain with some of these booth features, but i'm not gonna say "i don't like it" and not explain why. On a side note, that guitar solo is killer!
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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All I can say is damn. Take legends like Nas and Damian Marley (who compliment each other very well I might add) and throw in the talented K'Naan and you know you got yourself a great track. I could listen to these two trade off between reggae and hip-hop all day.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 407 |
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Regardless of if this not being my style of hip-hop I cannot hate on this. Nas is a legend and he shows it here...and K'naan impressed me as well. I wish Nas would have had another verse because it seemed like there was to much empty space with just musical instruments playing.
The star on here was Damian Marley with his smooth reggae vibe on the hook...he really made this track have the certain vibe that makes this a great work of art. The only negative is the lack of actually rapping. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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good song
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
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Matthew nailed it in the intro. The track's an investment, but those who are willing to but in their time will be richly rewarded. This is one of my favorite Nas tracks in a minute, and the K'naan/Marley vocals are hypnotizing. My favorite track of the day.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2905 |
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What more needs to be said? Hell, this music could almost be religion it's that dam amazing (well not really, but you get what Imma sayin', heartfelt)
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 28 |
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Being of African background, this song touches me. It reminds the black communnity of how we got into America. The hook and flow was nice. You can't go wrong with Nas on the track.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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I went in with fairly high expectations and this crushed ‘em. I’m mind-blown !!!
The most apt criticism or the only real problem with the song is that it does end. I can't type any longer but I'll manage something... I love Hip-Hop. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 432 |
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This album is gonna be revolutionary!!!!
This song is like a black power all-star team. This is the Nas I love. |
| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 394 |
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Always good to have K'NAAN featured on a song. The two of them teaming up together to form an album was genius. I don't think theres going to be a song on here that will not be listenable. Good banger song yet again from these two. And they speak a great truth, that everyone is distant relatives.
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 8 |
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Its songs like this that really hit a note with me. Politically motivating and a song that makes you ask questions. Classic
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| Posted on Apr 28, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 151 |
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This is beautifully dope.
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 31 |
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Definite 4.5 BANGER !
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
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How people can rate this less than classic is beyond me... the ENDING alone (with that guitar, strings and percussion) is classic material.
This is > than anything out now and the rest of the year! This is higher than rap, this is an anthem! Beauty, pure talent, depth, expressiveness and perfection all around. The Grammys will tell you I am right. "The most apt criticism or the only real problem with the song is that it does end." @Mr. Top Hat: well said, my friend! |
| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
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expecting great things from this track. after loving the first two features from this so far great duo i was hoping for more of the same. i certainly got it from 'africa must wake up'! k'naan has also been very impressive lately- love it! i have grown to appreciate nas and his lyrics a lot more lately also.
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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i'm not feelin this
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 492 |
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4 stars, 5 if nas wakes up.
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1227 |
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These songs are unbelievably good, just release the album now.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 242 |
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Although I'm not either from Africa or have any African in me, I can feel that this track was made with passion, expect this track to be heavily played on the Soccer World Cup in South Africa. I do agree with some booth members that there needed to be some more singing or rapping at the end, but this is still a banger, and could pass up as an anthem for the whole continent(well except North Africa).
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| Posted on May 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 20 |
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I can feel a movement from this one. Real diverse, real soulful, positive message, and the track was put together perfectly. I kno ima have to katch that tour
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| Posted on May 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I enjoyed the song, but sorry to crush all you're guys dreams and inspirations, but they wouldn't play this track in Africa. Maybe they would in South Africa, but not in real Africa, with the starvation, aids, murders and dictators. when i went back home and played some Vybz Kartel they told me American blacks don't care about Africa, nor Afrikaan's. they claim to be "Afrikaan" for fame, but they're just like whites. lmao. but whatever, would've been a classic if they didn' push this Africa thing...
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| Posted on May 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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This is just... amazing, I'll be checking out the album when it comes out.
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| Posted on May 02, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 02, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 03, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Amazing song. Guitar solo was crack! I need this album to drop. Must have!
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| Posted on May 04, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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BOUT TYME NAS CAME BAC!!!!
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| Posted on May 04, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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feel like its got a summer feel 2 it..but its real relaxin an i love tha message. nas has never fallen off in my opinion an their duo...dope.
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| Posted on May 08, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
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Definitely another head nodder Damian came through smooth, Nas was a Beast K'NAAN was raw. overall lyrical genius. BANGER!!!
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| Posted on May 08, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 09, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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BEAUTIFUL!
REFRESHING! CLASSIC! |
| Posted on May 12, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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damn
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| Posted on May 14, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 18, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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classic
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| Posted on May 19, 2010 |
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