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Erick Sermon Is Releasing A Dynamic Duos Album

Erick Sermon Is Releasing A Dynamic Duos Album

This weekend, Erick Sermon released the first single of a long-anticipated album, Dynamic Duos. On Friday (February 9), E-Double released "Back 2 The Party." The song features a legendary duo, Salt-n-Pepa. Sermon orchestrates a song that is co-produced by his longtime Def Squad affiliate Rockwilder (with Erick). What's more, the... Read more
February 10, 2024 Fresh, News, Trending Stories
Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more
September 16, 2023 Video
The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more
August 17, 2023 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary
LL Cool J & Black Thought Go On A Rampage

LL Cool J & Black Thought Go On A Rampage

This past weekend (August 5), the 2023 Rock The Bells Festival took place in Queens, New York. Performers at the all-day event included Run-D.M.C., Slick Rick, Redman & Method Man, Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Rapsody, Brand Nubian, Boot Camp Clik, and many more. LL Cool J, who produced the... Read more
August 6, 2023 Video
Busta Rhymes Is Moved To Tears By His Lifetime Achievement Award

Busta Rhymes Is Moved To Tears By His Lifetime Achievement Award

Moments ago tonight (June 25), Busta Rhymes received the BET Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award before delivering an emotional speech. B.R. was presented the prestigious award by Marlon Wayans and Swizz Beatz, who spoke before and after a video vignette featuring testimony from Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Mariah Carey (who praised M.O.P.'s... Read more
June 26, 2023 News, TV, TV/Film, Video
Erick Sermon Reveals He’s Overcome An Opioid Addiction

Erick Sermon Reveals He’s Overcome An Opioid Addiction

One of Hip-Hop's most beloved multi-threats has opened up about his personal life. Erick Sermon revealed this weekend that he is seven months clean from opioid addiction. The EPMD and Def Squad co-founder has not previously shared that he was addicted to painkillers. On Instagram, E-Double shared the news, along... Read more
January 7, 2023 Lifestyle, News
Nas & Eminem Are Rapping Together For The 1st Time Ever

Nas & Eminem Are Rapping Together For The 1st Time Ever

As many music fans have shifted focus on Friday, August 6 for Kanye West's Donda release—two weeks after initially planned—another artist has occupied the attention for the day. Last week, Nas announced that Kings Disease 2 will be arriving on Friday. Today (August 3), the tracklisting for the Mass Appeal... Read more
August 3, 2021 Fresh, News
Redman & Method Man Are Making Blackout 3

Redman & Method Man Are Making Blackout 3

Last night (April 20), Method Man and Redman proved to be the big dogs of Verzuz, with one of the most anticipated displays since the platform's creation. The performance was part concert, part competition. Two of Hip-Hop's closest figures made all who tuned in feel their chemistry as they ran... Read more
April 21, 2021 Video
MC Eiht Details Lessons He Learned From EPMD, Rakim, Menace II Society & More

MC Eiht Details Lessons He Learned From EPMD, Rakim, Menace II Society & More

MC Eiht is the latest guest on Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast. In a 90-minute discussion, Eiht revisits highlights from his entire 30-plus-year-career. The Hub City O.G. details the formative years of Compton's Most Wanted and how he assumed the writing responsibilities for both MCs in the collective.... Read more
October 27, 2020 Exclusive, Video
RJ Payne Say He’s The New Def Squad As He Spits Heat Beside Erick Sermon (Video)

RJ Payne Say He’s The New Def Squad As He Spits Heat Beside Erick Sermon (Video)

RJ Payne is one of the anticipated artists on Benny's Black Soprano Family imprint. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the onetime star of the Battle Rap circuit (then known as "Reignman") has fed the masses with an onslaught of releases in his If C*caine Could Talk series. Before formally inking with Benny... Read more
August 9, 2019 Video
EPMD Are Working On A New Album & It’s Big Business (Video)

EPMD Are Working On A New Album & It’s Big Business (Video)

Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith are back to work more than 30 years since the release of EPMD's debut album, Strictly Business. At Long Island, New York's Def Squad Studios, speaking to AFH TV, Erick and Parrish dropped some new information about the duo's upcoming eighth album, said to be titled... Read more
May 28, 2019 Interview, News, Video
Erick Sermon, Styles P & AZ Team Up To Save The Rap Game (Audio)

Erick Sermon, Styles P & AZ Team Up To Save The Rap Game (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more
April 28, 2019 Audio
B-Real Details How He Developed 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Most Distinctive Voices (Video)

B-Real Details How He Developed 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Most Distinctive Voices (Video)

Guru famously proclaimed "It's mostly the voice" on a Gang Starr song of the same name. Like the late, great Keith Elam, Cypress Hill and Prophets Of Rage member B-Real has one of the most recognizable voices in music. The Los Angeles, California veteran raps with clarity and a nasal... Read more
April 24, 2019 Video
Erick Sermon Has Released A New Album Filled With All-Stars. Listen Here (Audio)

Erick Sermon Has Released A New Album Filled With All-Stars. Listen Here (Audio)

Erick Sermon has just released his eighth solo album, Vernia. Earlier this month, at Long Island, New York's Def Squad Studios, the Green-Eyed Bandit extensively details his LP featuring Raekwon, N.O.R.E., Too Short, Devin The Dude, No Malice, Big K.R.I.T., Pharrell, Styles P, AZ, Shaquille O'Neal, Xzibit, Keith Murray, and... Read more
April 19, 2019 Interview, News, Video
Erick Sermon, Raekwon & N.O.R.E. Remind MCs They Fathered Their Styles (Audio)

Erick Sermon, Raekwon & N.O.R.E. Remind MCs They Fathered Their Styles (Audio)

After nearly 18 months of anticipation, Erick Sermon is releasing his eighth solo album later this week. On April 19, The Green-Eyed Bandit will drop Vernia, named after the legendary Brentwood, Long Island MC/producer's late grandmother. Following February's "That Girl," featuring Big K.R.I.T., Erick is unleashing a new single. This... Read more
April 15, 2019 Audio
1 Year After Craig Mack’s Passing, Look Back At Another Song That Has Flava

1 Year After Craig Mack’s Passing, Look Back At Another Song That Has Flava

One year ago today (March 12, 2018), the late-night news of Craig Mack's passing felt like an essential piece of 1990s Rap fabric was ostensibly gone forever. The 47-year-old Long Island, New York representative died from natural causes. His legacy was connected to the genre's elite from the genesis of... Read more
March 12, 2019 Throwback
Erick Sermon & Big K.R.I.T. Join Forces To Celebrate Southern Women (Audio)

Erick Sermon & Big K.R.I.T. Join Forces To Celebrate Southern Women (Audio)

Erick Sermon's eighth solo studio album Vernia has been in the works for more than a year. The Hip-Hop legend drops off a new single to whet fans appetite on the LP that they pre-funded. "That Girl" is a strong release from the EPMD MC/producer and celebrates women of the... Read more
February 14, 2019 Audio
LL Cool J, DMX, Redman & Method Man Explain The Real Definition Of A Freestyle

LL Cool J, DMX, Redman & Method Man Explain The Real Definition Of A Freestyle

Twenty-one years ago this month, LL Cool J released his "4, 3, 2, 1" single. Not unlike "I Shot Ya" two years prior, one of the most respected figures in Rap recruited a team of ferocious MCs to share the mic. In addition to Canibus, whose early career appearance and... Read more
December 16, 2018 Throwback, Throwback, Video
Erick Sermon Details EPMD’s Terrible 1st Contract & How They Got The Big Payback

Erick Sermon Details EPMD’s Terrible 1st Contract & How They Got The Big Payback

EPMD is one of those groups that are always mentioned among Hip-Hop's legendary duos, however it always seems like they don't quite get their full due. That was especially true of a mid-1980s contract that the pair of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith signed. They later got the big payback... Read more
November 27, 2018 Audio
Do Remember When EPMD Teamed With Red & Meth For A Rap Symphony (Video)

Do Remember When EPMD Teamed With Red & Meth For A Rap Symphony (Video)

Def Jam Records had made some of the most iconic Hip-Hop albums of all-time during the 1980s. After some sluggish years in the early 1990s, the label started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin rebounded in a major way in 1998. That was the same year that the imprint forecast... Read more
November 15, 2018 Do Remember
Reef The Lost Cauze’s Video Shows What’s Golden About Hip-Hop Can Never Fade Away

Reef The Lost Cauze’s Video Shows What’s Golden About Hip-Hop Can Never Fade Away

Bearing a lengthy Hip-Hop resume, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based MC, Reef The Lost Cauze (born Sharif Lacey) is a certified authority when it comes to the genre. From the Army Of The Pharaohs (A.O.T.P.) member's  early days of battling, to his various mixtapes and albums, a current six-year window of podcasting, and... Read more
November 7, 2018 Ready Or Not
Erick Sermon Previews His Next Album With A Verse That’s As Hard As His Beats (Video)

Erick Sermon Previews His Next Album With A Verse That’s As Hard As His Beats (Video)

In addition to new EPMD sneakers, Erick Sermon has been busy promoting his eighth solo album. Now titled Vernia (after being previously called Go), the fan-funded LP promises involvement from AZ, Big K.R.I.T., Xzibit, Too Short, Styles P, and others. At the top of the year, the Long Island legend... Read more
August 27, 2018 Video
Das EFX Say Fu-Schnickens Stole Their Style & Explain How (Video)

Das EFX Say Fu-Schnickens Stole Their Style & Explain How (Video)

Das EFX was one of the most original Hip-Hop groups of the 1990s. Krazy Drazy and Skoob’s rough and rugged look, animated flows, and especially their “iggity” cadence and stutter-style delivery caught the attention of music fans worldwide. While their unique “sewa'” style nabbed them accolades and a sizeable record... Read more
August 26, 2018 Video
Erick Sermon & Parrish Smith Are Still In Business. They Have An EPMD Sneaker (Video)

Erick Sermon & Parrish Smith Are Still In Business. They Have An EPMD Sneaker (Video)

More than 30 years ago, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith formed EPMD. From dropping some of the most influential tracks in Hip-Hop history to surviving periods of breakup, the E and P are still together, still in business, and currently celebrating their 30-year anniversary in style. The Brentwood, Long Island... Read more
August 14, 2018 Fresh, Lifestyle, News, Video
Finding The GOAT Group: EPMD vs. Eric B. & Rakim. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Group: EPMD vs. Eric B. & Rakim. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more
July 13, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT
PMD Discusses Yo! MTV Raps’ Ed Lover Being One Of The Best Freestylers On The Planet (Audio)

PMD Discusses Yo! MTV Raps’ Ed Lover Being One Of The Best Freestylers On The Planet (Audio)

From its inception in 1988 to its final episode in 1995, Yo! MTV Raps was a top springboard for Hip-Hop artists. It was an opportunity to showcase skills and unique styles on one of the largest platforms available to the genre. In an interview with HipHopDX, Parrish "PMD" Smith spoke... Read more
May 24, 2018 Audio, Throwback, Throwback
New Def Squad Artist Elijah The Young Prophit Flips EPMD To Make It His Thing (Video)

New Def Squad Artist Elijah The Young Prophit Flips EPMD To Make It His Thing (Video)

Erick Sermon is not only a legendary producer and MC, but he’s also one of Hip-Hop's most gifted talent scouts. E-Double mentored Redman and Keith Murray while having early hands in the careers of Rick Ross, K-Solo, and Das-EFX. Def Squad Records and the Green-Eyed Bandit are once again ready... Read more
May 22, 2018 Ready Or Not
Finding The GOAT Group: EPMD vs. Beastie Boys. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Group: EPMD vs. Beastie Boys. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more
April 11, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT
Erick Sermon Reveals The Real Reason Craig Mack Did Not Join The Bad Boy Reunion Tour

Erick Sermon Reveals The Real Reason Craig Mack Did Not Join The Bad Boy Reunion Tour

On March 12, MC Craig Mack died at the age of 47 (earlier reports listed his age as 46). The Bronx-born, Long Island-raised artist who used his real name on records deceased from what coroner's declared as natural causes at his home in Walterboro, South Carolina. Other sources close to... Read more
March 14, 2018 Food for Thought
Keith Murray Announces The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World Part 2 (Video)

Keith Murray Announces The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World Part 2 (Video)

Following EPMD's temporary breakup and dissolving of the Hit Squad in 1993, MC/producer Erick Sermon set forth on his solo career and formed his triumvirate Def Squad crew with Redman and then-upstart Keith Murray. The latter MC turned Heads made a strong first impression with his home run-hitting clean-up verse... Read more
February 24, 2018 News, Video
Erick Sermon Raises More Than $60,000 & Will Release His 8th Solo Album

Erick Sermon Raises More Than $60,000 & Will Release His 8th Solo Album

FEBRUARY 22 UPDATE: Erick Sermon and Def Squad Records released the following statement to Ambrosia For Heads: "In today's music business, the climate is everything's based on streaming. We have seen drastic changes in the way consumers listen to content. There [are] all different genres of Hip-Hop now some with more commercial... Read more
February 21, 2018 Fresh, Video
Stezo Used Funk & Fly Dance Moves To Take Rap Music To A New Place (Video)

Stezo Used Funk & Fly Dance Moves To Take Rap Music To A New Place (Video)

In 2017 Connecticut's Hip-Hop scene includes the likes of Apathy, Chris Webby, and Blacastan, among others. These MCs represent different towns in "The Constitution State." Not far from New York City is the city of New Haven. The home of Yale University and famed "clam pie" pizza made a statement... Read more
December 14, 2017 Do Remember
Erick Sermon Reveals The Source Of The Def Squad Album Samples To Prince Paul (Video)

Erick Sermon Reveals The Source Of The Def Squad Album Samples To Prince Paul (Video)

Recently, Redman told New Jersey's Grass Routes Podcast that he hopes Def Squad can record a sophomore album. Next year marks 20 years since he, Keith Murray and mutual mentor Erick Sermon came together for El Niño. The album debuted at #2, following the group's covering of 1979 breakthrough Hip-Hop... Read more
October 30, 2017 Video
Lyor Cohen Explains How Redman Led Def Jam’s Comeback (Video)

Lyor Cohen Explains How Redman Led Def Jam’s Comeback (Video)

During the 1980s Def Jam Records reigned supreme. The label, which burgeoned in co-founder Rick Rubin's New York University dorm room, issued several classic albums from legendary artists. These include LL Cool J's Radio, Slick Rick's The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Rock & Rock Hall of Fame inductees Beastie Boys and... Read more
October 30, 2017 Video
Black Thought Explains How The Roots Are Approaching Their Next Album Differently (Video)

Black Thought Explains How The Roots Are Approaching Their Next Album Differently (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the LAST... Read more
October 10, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video
EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

It has been almost nine years since legendary duo EPMD released an album. Late 2008's We Mean Business marked the seventh group effort for Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The EP/RBC Records release was a departure from the six consecutive gold albums the Long Islanders released dating back to 1988's... Read more
October 1, 2017 News, Video
EPMD Detail The Night Their Beef With Eric B. & Rakim Almost Got Physical (Video)

EPMD Detail The Night Their Beef With Eric B. & Rakim Almost Got Physical (Video)

Earlier this year, EPMD joined Flava Flav, Large Professor, Bumpy Knuckles and more than 20 MCs at the 30th anniversary concert for Eric B. & Rakim's Paid In Full. Rakim and Eric's first concert together in years, also marked a historic armistice in 1980s Hip-Hop folklore. On this week's episode... Read more
September 21, 2017 Video
Redman Wants Another Def Squad Album & He Explains The Muddy Waters 2 Delay (Audio)

Redman Wants Another Def Squad Album & He Explains The Muddy Waters 2 Delay (Audio)

2018 marks 20 years since Def Squad released its one and only album. El Niño debuted at #2 on the Top 200 and marked a long time coming for Erick Sermon and his star pupils, Redman and Keith Murray. A strong branch from the EPMD family tree, that LP featured... Read more
September 5, 2017 Audio, News
Parrish Smith Discusses LL Cool J Dissing EPMD ON THEIR OWN SONG (Video)

Parrish Smith Discusses LL Cool J Dissing EPMD ON THEIR OWN SONG (Video)

For decades, LL Cool J has been known as one of the most ferocious MCs ever to pick up a microphone...or ink one on his arm. Long before 50 Cent, LL Cool J was the bully from Queens, taking on all comers, old and new. LL's beefs with Kool Moe... Read more
August 24, 2017 Video
Redman, Erick Sermon & Keith Murray Freestyle To The Def Over “Who Shot Ya” (Audio)

Redman, Erick Sermon & Keith Murray Freestyle To The Def Over “Who Shot Ya” (Audio)

1998 was arguably the strongest year of the East Coast's resurgence during the West Coast Gangsta Rap-dominated decade. Radio stations across the map, and music video channels BET and MTV, were putting a diverse mix of music from New York City representatives DMX, N.O.R.E., Nas, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Ma$e, Biggie... Read more
August 10, 2017 Throwback
Ice Cube Recalls N.W.A. Getting Booed At The Apollo. It Was Not A Good Day (Video)

Ice Cube Recalls N.W.A. Getting Booed At The Apollo. It Was Not A Good Day (Video)

N.W.A may have become one of the biggest, most influential and celebrated Rap groups ever, but they had to pay dues first. Ice Cube recently sat down with Pigeons & Planes to share a less flattering moment in the group’s history, the time the Ruthless Records act got booed off... Read more
July 20, 2017 Video
More Than 20 MCs Join Eric B. & Rakim In Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary (Video)

More Than 20 MCs Join Eric B. & Rakim In Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary (Video)

Yesterday (July 7), marked the 30th anniversary of the release of Eric B. & Rakim's classic album, Paid In Full, and they celebrated it in grand fashion. The two were joined on stage at Harlem's famed Apollo Theater by by more than 20 artists from eras both before and after... Read more
July 8, 2017 Video
25 Years Ago Das EFX Checked The Mic With Dead Serious Rhymes (Video)

25 Years Ago Das EFX Checked The Mic With Dead Serious Rhymes (Video)

1992 was a deeply transitional year for Hip-Hop. By the end of the calendar, The Chronic and Stunts, Blunts, and Hip Hop were heavy in the air. However, one of the first sparks of the hardcore flame came in the form of another debut. That album, Das EFX's Dead Serious,... Read more
April 6, 2017 Do Remember
Redman Explains How MC Lyte Is The Reason He Met EPMD (Video)

Redman Explains How MC Lyte Is The Reason He Met EPMD (Video)

Tomorrow (March 8), an international movement calling itself A Day Without A Woman will take place as a continuation of the Women's March energy that spread across the world like wildfire earlier this year (and as an acknowledgment of March being Women's History Month). The general strike is meant to... Read more
March 7, 2017 Video
Finding The GOAT Producer: Erick Sermon vs. DJ Quik. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Producer: Erick Sermon vs. DJ Quik. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more
February 15, 2017 Finding the GOAT
EPMD Reveal Eric B. & Rakim Used The Rhythm To Hit Them With A Diss (Video)

EPMD Reveal Eric B. & Rakim Used The Rhythm To Hit Them With A Diss (Video)

Last Fall, Rakim spoke before a special live event with the Juan Epstein Podcast. There, the lyrical half of Eric B. & Rakim told Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds about a number of highlight moments surrounding his 30-plus-year career. To fans of 1980s Rap rivalries and supreme lyricism, one section... Read more
February 3, 2017 Video
In Observance Of National DJ Day, DJ Scratch Rocks The Bells With Body Tricks (Video)

In Observance Of National DJ Day, DJ Scratch Rocks The Bells With Body Tricks (Video)

DJ Scratch was recently knighted as "Grandmaster" by Kool Herc for a reason. The longtime DJ for EPMD and Flipmode Squad, who has become a highly accomplished producer has been at the peak of his craft for nearly 30 years. For a HOT 97 segment with DJ Enuff in honor... Read more
January 24, 2017 Video
A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

It could be argued that Craig Mack is one of Hip-Hop's greatest one-hit wonders. 1994's "Flava In Ya Ear" and star-studded remix helped make a name for Craig, as well as his label-mate The Notorious B.I.G., and their leader Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. However, Craig's career and Hip-Hop philosophy has... Read more
January 15, 2017 TV/Film, Video
Cypress Hill, Def Squad & MC Eiht Made Us All Throw Our Hands In The Air (Video)

Cypress Hill, Def Squad & MC Eiht Made Us All Throw Our Hands In The Air (Video)

For more than 25 years, Cypress Hill has bloomed from pure Hip-Hop to mainstream appeal. B-Real, Sen Dog, and DJ Muggs created a sound that made Hip-Hop fans feel the daily angst of gang-controlled Los Angeles, California juxtaposed with the euphoria of medicinal relaxation. In 1996, after three albums (eventually... Read more
January 12, 2017 Do Remember
Finding The GOAT Producer: Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Producer: Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon. Who Is Better?

UPDATE: The original vote was within 1%, so a tie-breaker was held to determine the winner. Erick Sermon won that vote by 6%. “Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were... Read more
January 11, 2017 Finding the GOAT
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