AWOLN
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NATION
Photographed by Rebecca Reece
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BLEEKER
The Constellation Room // Santa Ana, CA // Photographed by Paige Sara Wilson // March 29, 2016
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WHAT FANS WHO LIKE The Struts // New Politics // Young Guns 5
Alternative Rock band from Toronto, Canada. Currently on tour with The Struts. Debut self-titled EP, out now. (Previously known as Bleeker Ridge)
SOCIAL
WHO
@bleekerofficial
Taylor Perkins (Vocals) Dan Steinke (Guitars) Cole Perkins (Guitars) Mike Van Dyk (Bass)
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BRILL
Photographed
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LZ
by Deanna Williams
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KEHLANI
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BUKU MUSIC + ART PROJECT
The Buku Music + Art Project has been a staple in the music festival world, hosting many of the world’s greatest artists. The festival began in 2012, and the lineup has not disappointed since. Hosting artists such as Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, Bassnectar, Flosstradamus Calvin Harris, RL Grime, Future, and many more. Buku has more to offer than a “house-party” type of festival-there are also local and nationally known artists that sell sculptures, paintings, and graffiti pieces that are auctioned off with the proceeds going to different charities. Similar to many other festivals, there are many stages that the musicians can play on. There are a total of four different stages that are set up for the festival: The Float Den, The Ballroom, The Power Plant, and The Back Alley. Making this festival unique is the docking of the Creole Queen riverboat on the riverside. The riverboat acts as the VIP-only S.S. Buku for the duration of the festival, offering special performances and a viewing area of the main stage from the boat’s top deck, as well as an open bar. Though the festival may only be four years old, it has made a huge impact on the Crescent City. This year, New Orleans was expected to have 100% of severe thunderstorms with many of the surrounding areas catastrophically flooding just days before. In the midst of the weather warnings, Buku managed to still sell out within 24 hours of gates opening. Thirty-thousand “BUKreatures” lined up to have the best time of their life. The rain subsided just before opening on Day One, and only drizzled for a minute on Day Two. It didn’t stop the party though. With two of the three main stages being inside-the party continued on smoothly inside but barely caused a twitch to those outside. BUKreatures were crawling throughout in the most in-style streetwear. Typical EDM activities and sightings could be seen throughout the festival such as hula hoopers, glovers, and break dances-with Buku fashion including stringed clothes, crop tops, rave bras, facial jewels, glitter, light-up sneakers and lots of black leather. 10
This New Orleans festival is one of those you can’t fully understand until you experience it for yourself. It’s unlike many other festivals because it’s in a smaller space but we think it’s perfectly cozy. Many people think it should be expanded to a bigger venue but we at Unseasoned Sound think the venue is what MAKES this festival. Under the bridge- on the river. At night, the neon lights go perfectly in front of the power plant. The venue IS the festival and gives it that iconic Buku Vibe. For the lineup- this year was different but we loved it. For the past three years, Buku had brought back many of the same artists but this year managed to create a completely new lineup. From rap legends Kid Cudi, Future, and A$AP Ferg and Grammy-nominated Kehlani- to trap lords Baauer, What So Not, Datsik, Cashmere Cat, and NGHTMRE- and electronic indie favorites Purity Ring, Borns, and Chvrches. Each show had a vibe of it’s own, but Float Den shows have always been our favorite. The Float Den is just big enough to be considered the second biggest stage and has been home to many of the festivals EDM headliners- but is also just small enough to be comfortable and have a nice view from practically anywhere within. Without further ado-we’ve compiled some our favorite photos from our favorite performances for you to check out below! They’re sure to make you want to experience Buku for yourself... Photographed and Written by Rebecca Reece // March 11-12, 2016 // New Orleans, Louisiana
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CU Boulder Glenn Miller Ballroom // Photography by Traci Schubert // March 29, 2016
PURITY RING
BAAUER RAE SREMMURD
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FUTURE DATSIK
PURITY RING 14
SNBRN
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FLOAT DEN STAGE
PURITY RING 16
NG HTMRE
YELLOW CLAW 17
FETTY WAP
CRWNS
PURITY RING
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photographed by Rebecca Reece and Interviiewed by Gus Stark
CRWNS
CRWNS is an up and coming New Orleans based DJ who is looking to transcend the sound by mixing future bass with hiphop, trap, and dubstep. The DJ has cosigns from Diplo, The Chainsmokers, Slander, 3LAU, and Prince Fox, just to name a few. Opening for many big name artists at local New Orleans clubs and shows, he will soon be performing a full set at the wellknown New Orleans music festival, Buku Music & Arts Festival. We sat down with CRWNS before his set at City Bar in Ba19
ton Rouge, Louisiana to get to know him a little better and see what’s up. What brought you to New Orleans? Well I’m originally from Chicago but I am currently attending Tulane, majoring in philosophy. When I first came to New Orleans I was not sure that music was going to be my main priority but I figured out my sophomore year that I wanted to pursue music seriously and I haven’t looked back since.
What are your influences and your style? I grew up listening to rap and that plays a major role in my music. My style is future based and very melodic mixed with heavy rap. I am always trying to build upon the artists that have come before me and try to push the boundaries and be different
What is your creative process like? I have my own studio setup in my apartment, which is where I record all of my music. I have to be in the right mood to be able to produce music. If I am not in a good mood then my music will show that and it will be mediocre. I usually don’t go in with a set plan I just let the music come to me and it also depends on how I am feeling on that particular day.
Do you have any upcoming shows you are excited about? Yes, I am very excited about be able to play Buku this year. There have been many great performers who have played at Buku and I’m excited to be able to join that group. I love how Buku puts the music first and the fans are very engaged and have great energy, which I fed off of.
How are you growing your brand? I feel like the best way to build my brand is from constantly releasing new music and doing as many live shows as I can. This will help gain traction and create a core following. I just have to keep on getting my name out there and keep on building on the groundwork.
What venues do you perform at constantly and what are your favorite songs to perform? I play regularly at Republic, which is in New Orleans. The crowd just loves the music and they love to build up local talent. I love going hard with “Prison Riot” then slowing it down with “You & Me Flume Remix.”
What’s next for CRWNS? Well after Buku I plan on working hard on my production and sound. I graduate in May and I plan on staying in New Orleans because I believe this is a great city for me to grow my brand and better my sound. I want to blur the lines and step outside the How did you get into music? box. I think one of the ways I could do this I first got into music when I started writing would be the do some type of collaborafor a blog, Run the Trap, I would interview tion with a rapper. I feel like this would artists and then write article for the blog. help me create more of a refined sound. I’ve always loved being able to find and share music with others. I feel like this What Caught Our Eyes (and Ears): played a major role in my musical develLouis Vivet - Downbeat [CRWNS Remix] opment because I learned how to network Favorite Track: “Vibe Machine” and many other valuable lessons that Favorite Remix: Major Lazer & DJ Snake transitioned well when I decided I want to Lean On [CRWNS Remix] pursue music.
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Deftones Photographed by Dylan Villarreal
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Flux Pavilion WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DYLAN VILLARREAL
Flux Pavilion is a English DJ that has been performing since 2008. We are lucky that one of our photographers got to cover his show in San Antonio, Texas at Club Rio. The night started off with a crowd eager to see Flux. The energy was rising with every second approaching the 12:30am set time. The house lights dimmed and the stage lights came on- a sea of different color lights and the crowd exploded when he voiced over the microphone. The crowd was ready to hear him play slowly chanting his name... Finally, he started off with his iconic “Bass Cannon.”. Energy in the room erupted and there was no turning back. Flux kept hitting the crowd with his classic songs such as “Gold Dust” and “I Can’t Stop” making the whole room get emotional (no pun intended) and start singing along.
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FALL OUT BOY Written & Photographed by Rebecca Reece
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If you were to tell me you never listened to “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” “Dance, Dance,” or “Thnks fr th Mmrs” I would most likely think you’re lying. Fall Out Boy has been at the front of pop punk music since their first ever release with Project Rocket in 2002. Producing hit after hit, the band had several multi platinum singles and albums (along with a Gremmy) until taking a hiatus to explore side projects in 2009. The band resurfaced in 2012 with the release of “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light EM Up)” off their album Save Rock and Roll, which was released shortly after. Since the first release back from their hiatus they have toured the US multiple times with other long-time-known bands Paramore and Panic! At the Disco, along with a tour that changed the pace a bit- The Boys of Zummer featuring Hoodie Allen, Wiz Khalifa, and MAX alongside FOB. Their most recent release has been American Beauty/ American Psycho, the album from which radio hit “Uma Thurman” was released. The boys have been touring the US with direct support Awolnation and PVRIS on the “Wintour is Coming” 27
tour. We were fortunate enough to be attendance to the Wintour is Coming show in New Orleans, Louisiana- which sold out just days before showtime. The stage was set with a high platform in addition to a V encompassing the general admission and VIP pits and extending into the floor seating section where the walkway was brought down to a slightly lower level. Taking a look around the audience the crowd was very mixed which was to be expected as they have made music for more than ten years and reached many generations of fans. When the boys came out on stage, they were just as pumped as we imagine them to have been at the start of their careers. The set started with SNOW falling from the ceiling to make more a dramatic “wintour” entry before their opening song. “Irresistible” from their most recent album was up first before quickly throwing it back to their most known track “Sugar, We’re Goin Down.” In the crowd, many of those fans dressed in the easily recognizable “Sugar, We’re Goin Down”
music video deer antlers could be seen jumping up and down and flat out getting wild for the popular throwback. The very popular duo Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz then came out the the tip of the V-shaped stage to go back to back for “The Phoenix.” Many songs were played from the newer album but also many older ones, before slowing it down. The arena darkened and a fancy black piano came out from under the stage where Stump took his seat for a heartfelt performance of “Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes.” He then transitioned into the album-titled “Save Rock and Roll” which features Elton John (rock hero)- performance complete with Elton John stage graphics and live-sounding voice overs of the legend himself. This is when the boys reemerged on the stage and closed out the song as big and dramatically as possible. At some unknown point in the set, the crowd was hyped up when balloons made to appear as eyeballs dropped from the back ceiling and the crowd tossed them about. One balloon made it all the way to the front of the arena just before it was tossed to Patrick and popped with his guitar. After many other songs, Pete came out to the
front of the stage for the second time to talk about the band and where they are today saying, “In 2003, who would have thought that we’d be selling out arenas in 2016.” He then continued on to speak briefly about their hiatus before their 2012 release in which he said, “Remember that you will always have a ‘last failure’ before your biggest success.” Well said, Pete. The speech about their long career as a band lead into second-to-last song, the ever famous “Thnks fr th Mmrs” (what us older generation of fans really came for). The band seemed to be the most excited and hype for this song than all others in the set. The closing song (before the encore of course) was their four times platinum hit “Centuries.” This closer was accompanied by many stage jumps and even firework sparks being ejected from the back of the stage. For those of you thinking about attending one of FOB’s tour- absolutely do it. Get some tickets (maybe even a meet and greet) and enjoy a “soda” or three while you jam out to the punk rock that comes with priceless nostalgia. We promise you won’t regret this one.
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Something One Can Only IMAGINE Is Finally Coming True
Last year it was good but this year is already looking to be even better. Imagine Festival is known to be one of the biggest festivals Atlanta, GA has to offer for EDM cravers alike. With this year being the third year of the annual festival, Imagine is also proving itself to be one of the fastest growing festivals in the South. Previous alumni of the festival include Dada Life, Datsik, Adventure Club, Seven Lions, Lil Jon, Brillz, Infected Mushroom, Crystal Castles, and many other legends. In addition to the announcement of camping coming to 2016’s banger- PHASE I of the lineup has just been released. Take a seat and read on as you try not to fall out of your chair (we almost did)... If you’re somehow still not sure after reading this lineup and hearing all of what this year’s festival will have to offer- select photos have been released from last year’s festival [below] to get you a little more excited. Feel free to search the official aftermovie from last year’s festival and watch it over and over- and over-
to get pumped up and excited to be in attendance for the year that’s sure to go down in the Imagine books as the best. Tickets are available now starting at $169 for a 3-day pass. VIP passes, with front row pit access, elevated viewing area, VIP (no line) access, air conditioned chill lounge, bottle service, cocktail service, complimentary champagne toasts, private security, clean trailer bathrooms with running water and air conditioning, giveaways, meet and greets, and more are available starting at $299 for a 3-day pass. Camping passes are now available to purchase as an add-on to the festival tickets, with prices starting at $69. Four camping packages available including GA Camping, VIP Camping, GA RV Camping and VIP RV Camping. Tickets are available online at www.imaginefestival.com. Imagine Music Festival is an 18 and over event. Imagine Music Festival is produced by Iris Presents. Visit www.imaginefestival.com for the most up-to-date information.
photos courtesy of Imagine Festival and Iris Presents.
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josh turner
Josh Turner is a country singer that made it big when his first two albums sold 3 million copies and produced two platinum (and one gold) hit. Turner had another platinum hit in 2009. Josh turner performed in San Antonio, Texas at Cowboys Dance Hall on March 26. He had wide variety of songs he played, from old songs to his new songs, but the crowd loved every single one. Concert goers seem to have enjoyed it even more when he finally ended with playing “Your Man.�
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Photographed and Written by Dylan Villarreal
MIGOS NOVO
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIMANI GRAHAM
Photocredits: Kimani Graham
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SLAVES PHOTOGRAPHED BY REBECCA REECE
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WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYES AND EARS... “The Rain” FAVORITE TRACK... “Basics” featuring Splyt FAVORITE FEATURE... “Back 2 Earth” by Splyt featuring songsbyh”
Born and raised in Northern Michigan, H has quickly stepped onto the Denver music scene after moving to Colorado in 2012. With a vast knowledge of production, engineering, performing and writing, it won’t be long until H is a name recognized across the country. While studying a degree in Audio Production at the Art Institutes, H has made waves on the internet and achieved large shows with artists like Tory Lanez, 37 Mick Jenkins, Kid Ink, KYLE and many more.
CU Boulder Glenn Miller Ballroom // Photographed and Interviewed by Traci Schubert // March 29, 2016
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START BY TELLING US A LITTLE BACKSTORY ABOUT SONGSBYH... “I’m SongsbyH. I’m from Michigan, I moved out here for freshman year of college to ski. That was my whole thing, I was a big competition skier. It was really fun, it was cool, I still love to ski, but there came a point in 2012 where I just realized I liked music so much, I would ski with it everyday. It just got to a point where for some reason, I realized that’s what I wanted to do. There was really no point where I was like, ‘I want to make music’, I just was like ‘I really like music, why don’t I try it out?’ And it started with just writing, rewriting peoples songs and raps and stuff and like trying to figure out how to do that. And I don’t know I just started doing it pretty intensely once I moved to Denver from Gunnison, CO after my freshman year and since then I still love skiing but it’s just changed a lot. My focus has changed a lot, obviously. Skiing isn’t something I get to do as much as I want to but I still love it almost as much as I love making music. This is something I want to do to go places. That’s why it’s my focus. So that’s pretty much it, I grew up skiing and listening to music everyday and realized music is awesome and at a point it made me feel cooler to listen to music than I did to ski and listen to music.” WHAT ASPECT OF THE MUSIC MAKING PROCESS EXCITES YOU THE MOST AND DISCOURAGES YOU THE MOST? “Literally to answer both questions, all of the above. All of it gets me stoked and all of the above pisses me off when it comes to making a song. Like mixing is fun, mixing sucks. Producing is fun, producing sucks. Writing is a blast, writing can suck. It’s never like writing is always tight, but EQ always sucks. Either it can be easy and awesome and you get it the first time or it can take 150 mixes to get one little piece right. So that sucks, right? Who would want to do that? But at the same time it’s awesome!” WHAT’S YOUR DREAM VENUE TO PERFORM AT? “I think it would be stupid not to say Red Rocks, but Red Rocks came into my mind when I moved here. Before I didn’t know any venues because I wasn’t making music. I’ve always had interest in Radio City because I think that would be crazy because it would be a rare thing to do for a hip hop act. O2, I want to go to London and check that out really badly. Terminal 5 is a name I see all the time that I’m just dying to have my name on it finally. Those are three or four that are pinnacle venues for what we do.” 39
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE STARTING OUT THEIR MUSIC CAREER? “Learn how to do everything. Don’t just be a rapper, don’t just be a producer, don’t just be an engineer, don’t just be a photographer, don’t just be a graphic designer. If you can’t do everything yourself at one point in time, you should never ask anybody to do anything for you. That’s my true belief. How are you going to ask someone to do something for you that you don’t even know how to do? If you can go into something being able to do so much of it, not just showing up to write. You should know how to mix a master and produce a little bit so that when you’re trying to tell your engineer what you want, he can do it for you. You’re not just saying ‘well I kind of want a big reverb’, he can give you a reverb and make you think it’s big, but is it what you want? You have no idea, so that’s my biggest advice: Learn how to do everything you can before you call yourself something serious.“ WHAT’S NEXT FOR SONGSBYH? “Definitely a project, my first project. Working on that pretty hard right now. Usually I make a song and put it out when it’s ready, but I’m at a point now where I’m not doing that. So that’s a big new thing, sitting on music and putting it all out at once. Definitely more shows, a show in the type I’ve never done. We are headlining on May 28, 2016 with Splyt at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, so that’s super cool. So excited, I’ve done a lot of shows where you just show up and perform and that’s all they really let you do, so it will be fun to not be in that position. Visuals coming soon, I’ve never done that before. Basically I’m doing everything I’ve never done before, in the next year straight. “
https://soundcloud.com/songsbyh @songsby.h 40
@songsbyh
Photographed by Danielle Ernst
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SUNFLOWER BEAN
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the garden photographed by danielle ernst
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THOMAS GOLD
Thomas Gold is a Berlin-based DJ and producer who within the last couple of years has released a s
pop acts in existence, and garnered praise from a whole host of his contemporaries. This March, w
and a personal interview at The Mid- one of Chicago’s biggest dance music venues. Gold isn’t jus
expectations out the window. The music was electrifying with smooth transitions and his classic dee
with the last. We also heard his famous remixes of Adele, Lady Gaga Dash Berlin along with some o and the popularity of these remixes.
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Photographed and Written by Dylan Villarreal
tring of smash singles, played the planet’s foremost clubs and festivals, remixed some of the biggest
e had the opportunity to experience “the Gold Standard� first-hand through both an elaborate show
st a standard but rather a full out experience you must have first hand to truly understand, with all
p house beats. Each song was smoothly transitioned and dropped with the next perfectly intertwined
ther popular remixes of other hot singles right now. In the interview we discussed his come-to-fame 46
Gold says, “I really broke through in America because of my remix to Adele’s “Set Fire To The Rain” the biggest thing for me at that point that brought me into festivals and to the clubs and stuff. I did a remix for Lady Gaga’s “Judas” and I got a lot of support from guys like Swedish House Mafia, they play a lot of my stuff. That was the real beginning of my career around six years ago.” Hits we could die for (and nearly did when they were played) included “Colourblind”, “On Fire”, and “Flute.” They were just as dazzling in person as they are on the recorded tracks through our headphones when we’re writing for the blog. Between his known bangers, we couldn’t help but to notice the clips and bits of some unfamiliar tunes and think there is some major unreleased stuff in the works.
Goldyet, is but a Berlin-based withinin the last couple “I haven’t releasedThomas an album I am workingDJonand one.producer It will bewho released November, De- of y a string of smash singles, played the planet’s foremost clubs and festivals, rem cember or January. We arepop aiming the end ofand the garnered year. I ampraise in the process of picking biggest acts for in existence, from a whole host aofnumhis conte ber of tracks for the album. We have a bunch now, almost 20 tracks that are potential tracks for This March, we had the opportunity to experience “the Gold Standard” first-han the album. A bunch of singles areand going to comeinterview out during up to the biggest album. da elaborate show a personal at the The year Mid-leading one of Chicago’s Goldmy isn’tstyle just aa little standard a full experience youalbum must have first hand t I am going to change bit. I but amrather moving on out to the song based production. The album is not club or dance album, it’s more like a song album and I’m really excited about because I love to make songs. I have vocals and real instruments and I love organic sounds and then put them together with electronic sounds and that’s what we’re doing right now. I had a lot of writing session and generally, I was in LA for a few weeks and I’m going back there in April between tour dates. May as well and I’m just working the studio in the next months after the tour. Just to create new stuff and make new music. I have so much good material right now, so I’m excited,” Gold discussed before going out for the set. If the bits we heard were possibly part of the ‘so much good material,’ we are practically jumping for this upcoming debut album- and you should be too. Check out some photos from this mind-blowing night! 47
d through both an ce music venues. truly understand,
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CU Boulder Glenn Miller Ballroom // Photography by Traci Schubert // March 29, 2016
ears has released ixed some of the mporaries.
Mat Musto is one of the gre
singer, song writer and prod
Opening for Tinashe, the ene
Hos” and “Slide Thru.” After
crowd going insane from be
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atest talents that you have been probably missing out on. A triple threat in the music industry,the
ucer- better known as Blackbear. I was able to catch him performing at The Observatory in Santa Ana.
rgy at this show was unreal. Blackbear performed some of his most known songs such as “Different
the amazing energy and performance Blackbear did, it was time for Tinashe. Tinashe had the whole
ginning to end. It was hands down the best night to catch them on their tour together. Photographed by Annemarie Larotonda
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SXSW SNAPSHOTS THE LAST ILLMORE 2 CHAINZ
Desiigner
KEHLANI
CliямА Skighwalker
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THE FADER FORT Jazz Cartier
DJ ESCO 52
D R A K E
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AT FADER FORT
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N I Y K E E H E A T O N 55
LIL DEBBIE AT HAM ON EVERYTHING @ SXSW 56
JOHN LEGEND AT SXSW
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