A 3D video segment from Michael Jackson's aborted O2 residency will air at this year's Grammy awards, as part of a celebration to the singer. Jackson's own rendition of Earth Song will be broadcast alongside tributes by Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson and Usher.
"To try and imitate him, to try and represent him, it just didn't feel to me like it was something we should do," explained Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich. "You just don't ever necessarily want to see anybody but Michael doing [songs like] Beat It or Billie Jean. This felt to us like it was really a way of representing him. It's like a tip of the hat."
Earth Song originally appeared on Jackson's 1995 album HIStory. It is an orchestral ballad, bombastic and eco-friendly, and Jackson planned to make it a highlight of his London residency. "The song was so important to him," Ehrlich said. Jackson shot a new, 3D music video to accompany the song, but didn't get the chance to screen it before an audience. Although an excerpt of the footage appears in the posthumous Jackson documentary, This Is It, the Grammy broadcast on 31 January will mark the video's full debut.
Jackson himself does not appear in the clip. "[The video] starts out with some beautiful images of the world and our environment, and Michael's child-like love for animals, birds and dolphins," Ehrlich said. "It introduces a little girl, a beautiful little girl who at one point in the film basically goes to sleep, and when she wakes up – she's in a forest and it's very pastoral – and when she wakes up, all of a sudden it's all changed and it's bad. The environment is being affected and trees are being cut down."
To fully appreciate the Earth Song footage, viewers will have to wear 3D glasses. These will be distributed to the Staples Center's audience and through Target shops in the US.
Before the star's death in June, Ehrlich said Jackson promised to perform at this year's Grammy gala. This wasn't the first time the King of Pop had made such vows. "[I have] some annual calls," Ehrlich told the LA Times. "There would be a Michael call, there would be a Prince call, sometimes there would be meetings." In 2008, CBS went so far as to air commercials advertising Jackson's appearance at the awards show. "We had put together what I thought was a pretty exciting mash-up of his hits," Ehrlich recalled. "We had a meeting with him, he listened to it, and he did one of those, 'Boy this is really terrific'. [But] he ultimately chose not to do it." Asked why, Ehrlich replied: "Michael was complex."
Guardian UK
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The city of New Orleans is celebrating their Saints going to the Super Bowl for the first time in their 43-year history.Garrett Hartley's 40-yard field goal in overtime lifted the Saints to a 31-28 victory over Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship.
The Saints will face the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl Feb. 7 in Miami.
The Colts are in the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. The Colts rode three Peyton Manning touchdown passes to rally from an 11-point deficit and beat the upset-minded New York Jets 30-17 in the AFC title game.
Indianapolis is an early favorite in the game, according to oddsmakers.
Source: BayNews9
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We see London, we see France, where is Venus' underpants?
That's likely what crowds at the Australian Open have been asking themselves since tennis legend Venus Williams took to the court and appeared to flash her backside last week.
However, the 29-year-old star was quick to put any rumors to rest via Twitter.
"I am wearing undershorts the same color as my skin, so it gives the slits in my dress the full effect!" she wrote on Thursday.
For the last few days during the tournament, Venus has donned a bright green one-piece, with undergarmets that match her dark skin. This sparked debate online that she had elected to battle her opponents commando style.
"Please put on some decent panties. I do not watch tennis to see your exposed buttocks!" wrote one fan on her website, venuswilliams.com.
Reaction to the ensemble has been mixed, based on the posts.
"I just love her dress it has flare and it has imagination," wrote "margaret joyce." However, "Susan A. Yeck" had a different reaction.
"Your choice of outfit at a Grand slam tournament (or any tournament) was disgusting," she posted. "People really do not want to see your body parts exposed."
Although the mixed response may have come from the illusion she was naked, photos (like the one above) clearly show she was thoroughly covered. Venus indicated via Twitter that she was pleased with her choice to wear the outfit.
"My dress for the Austrailian Open has been one of my best designs ever! Its all about the slits and V-Neck," she wrote.
Whatever she may wear, the famous sibling has been burying her opponents at the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific. She defeated Casey Dellacqua on Saturday in the second set.
Venus will play along side her sister on Sunday against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.
Source: NY Daily News
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Miami rapper Trina aka The Baddest B*tch is showing she has a really huge heart underneath the tough rapper exterior.
According to a report by AllHipHop she is looking to help the situation in Haiti in a very generous way by adopting a child from the earthquake ravaged country.
Trina told AllHipHop:
"I would like to contribute on a higher level for more personal reasons in addition to being ready to raise/nurture a child; by being involved on a day to day bases,”
According to the report, Trina has been considering adopting a child from Haiti for some time.
“The tragic and untimely list of events that have happened in Haiti even before the recent ‘Earthquake’ have made me realized how blessed I am as a individual and I want to share that with a child that is a victim in this disturbing time,
I am in the financial position to adopt; therefore I am taking it into deep consideration at this time"
Trina deserves the utmost respect for doing this. We all know the sacrifices it will take to raise a child. For an entertainer who's career is still very active to do it shows great character.
In recent years, entertainers like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Madonna have adopted children from foreign countries.
This is the first I have heard of a rapper doing the same.
Look for Trina's new album 'Amazin' to drop later this year.
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As donations continue to pour in from around the world, "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" announced on Saturday (January 23) that it has raised more than $58 million to date — a new record for donations made by the general public through a disaster-relief telethon. The preliminary figure includes donations made via phone, online and mobile, and does does not include donations by corporations and large private donors, or iTunes sales figures, all of which are still being calculated.
"The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with 'Hope for Haiti Now,' and the donations continue to come in — people can still contribute 24/7 via phone, Web and text," said Lisa Paulsen, president & CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing philanthropic support to "Hope for Haiti Now" to ensure proper fiduciary oversight and administration of all donated funds.
The "Hope for Haiti Now" album is the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history and is currently the #1 iTunes album in 18 countries. The studio version of "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)," the original track performed by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna during "Hope for Haiti Now," is currently the #1 song on iTunes in 12 countries.
"Hope for Haiti Now" will continue accepting donations for six months via the following methods:
» Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org
» Phone: 877-99-HAITI
» Text: Text "GIVE" to 50555
»Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017
"Hope for Haiti Now" benefits Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, Yele Haiti Foundation, and the newly formed Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation. Proceeds from "Hope for Haiti Now" will be split among each organization's individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief. With the exception of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, each partner organization was selected for its history of operation and collaboration within the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community in Haiti.
"Hope for Haiti Now" was led by Wyclef Jean in New York City, George Clooney in Los Angeles and CNN's Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti, and featured performances by Wyclef Jean, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Sting in New York; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Emeline Michel and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Beyoncé, Coldplay and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna in London.
The event also featured appearances by President Bill Clinton, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jon Stewart, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks and Muhammad Ali. More than 100 of the biggest names in film, television and music also supported "Hope for Haiti Now" by answering phones and taking donations.
"Hope for Haiti Now" was produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.
Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.
iTunes customers can exclusively pre-order the "Hope for Haiti Now" full-performance album ($7.99) and the full two-hour video telecast ($1.99). Pre-orders will be delivered in the days following the telethon. Individual audio performances will also be available for purchase and download for 99 cents each in the days following the telethon. Apple, the record labels and the artists will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief funds managed by "Hope for Haiti Now" charities, including the Red Cross and Wyclef's Yele Haiti foundation. Performances will also be available for purchase in the days following the event through Amazon's MP3 service and Rhapsody, through distribution provided by INgrooves.
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Videos After The JumpThe 2010 NRJ Music Awards took place in Cannes Saturday (January 23). This is the biggest awards ceremony in France.
Some of the brightest International stars in the world today were there to perform including Robbie Williams, Kelly Rowland, Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Rihanna and David Guetta.
Beyonce received the NRJ Award Of Honor and Rihanna took home the prize for International Female Artist Of The Year.
Black Eyed Peas " I Gotta Feeling"
Kelly Rowland and David Guetta "When Love Takes Over"Rihanna "Russian Roulette"Jay-Z "Empire State Of Mind" featuring Bridget KellyBlack Eyed Peas "Meet Me Halfway"Robbie Williams "Morning Sun"Beyonce presented the "NRJ Award Of Honor" by Pharrell WilliamsRihanna wins the "NRJ International Female Artist Of The Year"
Reggie Bush is taking matters into his own hands when it comes to protecting the love of his life Kim Kardashian.TMZ is reporting the NFL star has hired six bodyguards to be at Kim's side at all times to protect her from a crazed stalker.
Kim recently got a restraining order against Dennis Shaun Bowman that requires him to stay at least 500 yards away from her.
Bowman's obsession with Kim started on Twitter last September. He began messaging her telling her how much he loved her. It then went from creepy to downright scary as he moved from Georgia to Calabasas, California where Kim lives to get closer to her.
From there Kim reported seeing him at various functions she attended where he would sometimes show up with his face painted as The Joker. He even challenged Reggie to a fight over her.
LAPD's Threat Management unit advised Kim that he posed a big enough threat to get a restraining order placed against him.
Reggie is taking no chances though, and who could blame him?
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Nas's baby mama Kelis had a show at the Film Lounge during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Friday (January 22).
Looking like a cross between the Statue Of Liberty a Hawaiian Hula Girl and an Exotic Dancer. She mingled with guests while getting her drink on.
She certainly seemed to be in good spirits. Those $51,000 a month spousal and child supports payments from Nas must be rolling in again.
Keri Hilson is one of the best singers in the world today. No auto-tune or lip-syncing needed when she takes the stage.
A lot of today's so called performers would faint at the thought of performing an acoustic version of any of their songs but not Miss Keri Baby.
She shows exactly what I mean here as she sings "Knock You Down (Acoustic)" from her debut album "In A Perfect World"
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The Hope For Haiti Telethon brought together some of the best acts the music world has to offer in an effort to raise funds for the people of Haiti.
It was an extraordinary event that once again showed the good will we as people have towards each other in great times of need.
The event is being made available for purchase via iTunes for $7.99 with all proceeds going to Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Performers on the night were Madonna, Alicia Keys, Wyclef Jean, U2, Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Sting, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Emiline Michele, Rihanna, Dave Mathews and Neil Young.
Alicia Keys "Prelude To A Kiss"
Stevie Wonder "A Time To Love/Bridge Over Troubled Waters"
Shakira "I'll Stand By You"
Mary J. Blige "Hard Times"
Christina Aguilera "Lift Me Up"
Beyonce "Halo"
Madonna "Like A Prayer"
Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris "Hallelujah"
Jennifer Hudson "Let It Be"
Wyclef Jean "Rivers Of Babylon"
U2, Rihanna & Jay-Z "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour")
Bruce Springsteen "We Shall Overcome"
Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban & Kid Rock "Lean on Me"
Coldplay "A Message"
Taylor Swift "Breathless"
John Legend "Motherless Child"
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Lil Wayne pictured with Recording Engineer KyLil Wayne's rock album 'Rebirth' drops February 2nd, but that's hardly the disc everyone is waiting for.
The masses want to know how the Cash Money rapper will follow up his double platinum 2008 effort 'Tha Carter III'. That album spawned the hits "Lollipop" and "A Milli". It also was a critical and commercial success. Selling a million copies it's first week out and winning four Grammy Awards.
With the pressure on to top that disc and jail looming, Mr Carter is hard at work according to his recording engineer Ky.
Ky is quoted in an interview with NewLilWayne.com as saying. “Of course after Rebirth the Carter 4 is up next, he already has about 20 records for it done already.”
Expect 'Tha Carter 4' sometime around summer.
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Video After The JumpDevi Dev of Hard Knock TV goes in depth with Warren G in this follow up to the very eye opening part one of their interview.
She gets Warren to open up about how Nate Dogg is progressing health wise after having two strokes. Warren mentions that there is a possibilty of another 213 album with himself, Snoop Dogg and Nate depending on how the business aspect is handled.
When asked whether or not there will ever be another West Coast dynasty like the one Death Row Records had. Warren said he didn't think so. He did add that the closest thing he's seen to the Death Row glory days is the current Cash Money roster.
The biggest surprise in the interview is the revelation that Dr Dre has told Warren there's a good possibility they will record their 1st song together on the long awaited 'Detox' album.
Warren says to expect 'Detox' in 2010 no matter what.
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Infamous Mobb Deep member Nyce Da Future links up with Riot Squad's Cau2G$ and Militia's Cory Gunz to deliver a certified banger.
Nyce has consistently made quality music over the last several years. Whether that be solo or collaborations with Mobb Deep, Mike Knox, Hot Rod or his own NBK Family.
For more information on Nyce please check out his website NyceDaFuture.com.
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Kim Kardashian says she has a crazed stalker who has been following her ... and she believes he's an immediate threat to her -- this according to a restraining order obtained by TMZ.
Kim says Dennis Shaun Bowman started by tweeting her last September, telling her how much he loved her.
According to the docs, filed by attorney Jeremiah Reynolds, Bowman then moved from Georgia to Calabasas, California -- where Kim lives -- to get closer to her.
In the ensuing months, Kim claims Bowman started showing up at Kim's appearances in the L.A. area acting bizarrely, sometimes wearing joker face paint.
At one point Bowman tweeted Kim, asking her not to be angry at him for missing a phantom dinner date they were supposed to have in Atlanta.
Bowman believes he's in a love relationship with Kim, according to the docs.
Things got really scary when Bowman started tweeting Kim's boyfriend, Reggie Bush, challenging him to a fight.
And, according to the docs, LAPD's Threat Management unit advised Kim the threat was serious enough that she should get a restraining order.
Under the order, Bowman must stay 500 yards away from Kim Kardashian and have no contact with Kim.
TMZ
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Allhiphop.com is reporting that pioneering rapper Apache has died after a prolonged illness.
Apache was a part of Queen Latifah's 'Flavor Unit' which consisted of Naughty By Nature, Freddie Foxx, Latee, Chill Rob G and several others.'
He scored a hit record back in 1991 with the song "Gangsta B*tch" which appeared on his debut album 'Apache Aint Sh*t'
Shakim Compere, CEO and Co-Founder of Flavor Unit Records told AllHipHop
“Without Apache there would have been no Queen Latifah, no Naughty By Nature, no Chill Rob G., no anything”. Apache was the string that tied all of Flavor Unit together. Without Apache none of this would be.”
No word on his exact illness was given.
Apache - Gangsta Bitch
Snoop Dogg thinks Tom Cruise wants to be him.
The Drop It Like It’s Hot hitmaker — whose real name is Cordazar Calvin Broadus — used to “dream” about becoming as famous as the Valkyrie actor but is convinced the tables have turned over the past few years.
“When I started to star in films I used to say, ‘I dream of becoming the black version of Tom Cruise’,” said Snoop. “Today I think it’s the other way round, ‘Tom Cruise could dream of becoming the white version of Snoop Dogg.’ ”
The rapper — who has appeared in several movies during his career, most recently Bruno — has never lost his movie star ambition and would love to appear in a movie about the life of the late US musician Miles Davis.
“One day Quincy Jones said to me: ‘When you rap it sounds like Miles Davis playing his trumpet’. I became curious and wanted to know more about him,” Dogg added. “I started to listen to his records and read about him.
“For me Miles isn’t a hero, but a desire and a challenge. Miles didn’t care what people or critics thought about him — he just played his music and kept developing himself as a person. He just did his own thing. That’s the reason why I want to play him. His brilliant story needs to be told.”
ShowbizSpy
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CANNES - The beleaguered global music industry enters the decade hoping to turn a corner by tackling piracy head on while drumming up new sources of revenue.
Grim statistics this week from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) show sales falling by some 30 percent since 2004 as piracy surged.
But a huge 12 percent leap in revenue from digital channels between 2008 and 2009 should help lighten the mood at the industry's biggest annual get-together starting Sunday at the MIDEM trade festival in this Riviera resort.
The figures show digitally-bought music now accounting for 27 percent of total music sales -- 4.2 billion dollars of 15.8 billion dollars in 2009.
"Our vision is music availability everywhere, at any time and in any place. But the biggest question is how do we monetise it in an environment of widespread piracy," Eric Daugan, Senior Vice President Commercial Strategy, Warner Music International EMEA, said in an IFPI report released Thursday.
Battered by the slump in CD sales worldwide and the slow response to rampant illegal music downloads and new digital platforms, the industry is finally stepping up efforts to reverse its fortunes.
Next week's trade fair will be "all about how to monetise access to music," MIDEM Director Dominique Leguern told AFP in an interview.
"Today, the number of technical solutions and different offers (streaming, downloads, etc) are multiplying ... We want to highlight these opportunities and show participants how to access them," he added.
Many of the world's leading online, advertising, video, mobile and other technology leaders will also be sharing expertise in new revenue streams, including MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta, who will give his first keynote address outside the United States.
Guitarist Ed O'Brien from British band Radiohead, which shocked the record industry in 2007 by allowing fans to decide how much they wanted to pay to download their new album, will also fly in to discuss the band's use of the Web to reach audiences.
"The music industry is finally seeing the Web as an opportunity more than a threat. Social software and devices such as the iPhone open new, extraordinary opportunities to innovate," said Daniel Ek, CEO of Sweden's music streaming service, Spotify.
This year's MIDEM is offering for the first time a wide range of matchmaking and networking sessions as well as conferences on how to finance and develop artists' careers beyond the simple CD -- using social networks such as Twitter and YouTube -- or tips on how to get music used in films, TV series and video games or advertising campaigns.
"We are focusing heavily on learning, education and networking because we have to help our participants to identify those elusive revenue streams," Leguern stressed.
Thanks to the world economic crisis and the strain in the music industry. attendance at MIDEM is expected to be down for the second year running at around 7,000 participants.
But managers of music sensations including Blur, Mika, James Blunt, Lily Allen and the Artic Monkeys will be in town to talk about how they are gradually taking on the former role of record labels by helping guide their artists' careers and manage their rights.
New countries attending for the first time this year include Iceland, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Ghana, Madagascar and Vietnam.
Asia will be making waves with Korea, Taiwan and Japan due to showcase their latest talent -- including Japanese dance act Amwe, Taiwanese indie singer and composer Crowd Lu and Korean girl band F(X).
But it will be the sounds of South Africa on centre-stage as the Country of Honour kicks off a packed programme of events to promote its culture ahead of its hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup this summer.
ChannelNewsAsia
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Video After The JumpWho knew legendary singer Prince was a football fan?
The artist formerly known as the artist nobody knew was into sports. Aside from that hilarious Chappelle's Show skit where Dave Chappelle (as Prince) clowns Charlie Murphy in a game of basketball while wearing heels. Prince has rarely been seen at sporting events. But that's changed, the "Darling Nikki" singer just got a bad case of "Purple Fever".
After watching the Minnesota Vikings destroy the Dallas Cowboys 34-3 last Sunday to advance to the NFC conference title game against the New Orleans Saints. The singer, who hails from Minnesota went home and recorded the "Purple and Gold" fight song.
MyFoxTwinCities reports the Vikings are so impressed by the song they are going to use it on the team's website.
Check out the songs lyrics and a snippet of it in the video below
Purple and Gold Lyricsthe veil of the sky draws open
the roar of the chariots touch down
we r the ones who have now come again
and walk upon water like solid ground
as we approach the throne we won't bow down
this time we won't b denied
raise every voice and let it b known
in the name of the purple and gold
we come in the name of the purple and gold
all of the odds r in r favor
no prediction 2 bold
we r the truth if the truth can b told
long reign the purple and gold
the eyes say ready 4 battle
no need 4 sword in hand
we r all amped up like a rock n roll band
ready 2 celebrate every score
ready 2 fight the elegant war
ready 2 hear the crowd roar
that's what we came 4
and so much more
in the name of the purple and gold
r spirits may b tired
r bodies may b worn
but since this day is r destiny
r history – that's y we must b
4ever strong as the wind that blows the Vikings' horn
in the name of the purple and gold
CHORUS"Purple and Gold" fight song by Prince
Audio After The JumpMarkise Kesan Moore has been officially charged with cruelty to children. After Cobb County, Georgia police determined after a 5 month investigation that he did brutally injure his one year old daughter.
As previously reported the child suffered numerous broken bones including two broken arms and ribs.
Just prior to turning himself in to authorities, Markise called into the Ryan Camron Show on Atlanta's V-103 radio station to explain his side of the story and ask that people pray for him. He claims all the charges are false and his daughter is fine. He did however admit that his daughter suffered a fractured wrist while in his care last July. An injury he claims was the result from a fall from a bed.
According to HipHopWired Markise is now free after posting a $20,000 bond
We will monitor this story as it continues to develop.
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Video After The JumpLopez Tonight Live, The Mo'Nique Show and Jimmy Fallon are three of the hottest late night tickets these days. A huge part of that is the artists they are booking to perform.
With record sales slumping, acts are taking their shows on the road to bring in the paper. There's no better way to get fans interested in buying that magic ticket than seeing their favorite singers perform on these talk shows.
Omarion is the latest artist to test this theory. He lit up the Lopez stage up, performing "I Get It In" off his new cd "Ollusion".
Judging from the crowd response he did a great job
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