D4vd

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David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is an American singer-songwriter. In 2022, he released the singles "Here with Me" and "Romantic Homicide", which gained popularity on TikTok and led to him signing a record deal with Darkroom and Interscope Records.

D4vd
Burke performing at the Fonda Theatre in 2024
Burke performing at the Fonda Theatre in 2024
Background information
Born
David Anthony Burke

(2005-03-28) March 28, 2005 (age 20)
New York City, U.S.
OriginHouston, Texas
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
WorksDiscography
Years active2021–present
Labels
Signature

David Anthony Burke (born March 28, 2005), known professionally as D4vd,[a] is an American singer-songwriter. In 2022, he released the singles "Here with Me" and "Romantic Homicide", which gained popularity on TikTok and led to him signing a record deal with Darkroom and Interscope Records.

Born in New York City, Burke began making music at his mother's suggestion to avoid YouTube copyright strikes on his Fortnite gameplay montages. Following several releases in 2023, Burke released two extended plays (EPs), Petals to Thorns and The Lost Petals, with the former charting in five regions. In 2024, Burke released five singles, including his third single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, "Feel It". His debut studio album, Withered, was released in 2025.

In September 2025, the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered inside a car registered to Burke.[2] Following the identification, the remaining tour dates and the deluxe edition release of Withered were canceled.[3][4] The cause of death remains undetermined, and the case is being investigated as a potential homicide.

Early life

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David Anthony Burke was born on March 28, 2005, in Queens, New York City.[5] His family later moved to Houston, Texas.[6] After seventh grade, he was homeschooled.[7][8] Until he was 13, he solely listened to gospel music. As a child, he played piano and sang in a church choir.[7][9]

Burke later discovered indie music through a Fortnite montage.[10] In 2021, Burke uploaded his own Fortnite montages, launching his music career.[11] Homeschooled as a teen, he described living "vicariously" through the experiences of his online friends,[12][13] often referencing unfamiliar experiences in his music.[7]

Career

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2021–2022: Early career and rise to prominence

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Burke began his music career by uploading Fortnite gaming montages.[5][7] To avoid copyright issues, he started creating original music,[14][15] blending lo-fi pop, R&B, and indie rock.[16] He released his music to SoundCloud, including songs such as "You and I",[17] "Take Me to the Sun",[17] and "Runaway".[18] He chose the stage name "d4vd" partially to increase his search engine optimization.[19] He released the single "Romantic Homicide" on July 20, 2022, following TikTok snippets of it going viral.[7][20]

"Romantic Homicide" charted at No. 3 on the Hot Alternative Songs charts and appeared at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[15] marking his first entry on the chart.[14][21] The music video, inspired by film noir,[22] was nominated for Music Video (Independent) during the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[23] After observing others reuse his music, he stated in an interview, "...I was like, 'Okay, this could be something', so I kept making songs."[9]

The song's success prompted Darkroom and Interscope Records[24] to sign Burke in September 2022.[20][25] First released on SoundCloud before "Romantic Homicide", Burke's next single, "Here with Me", was released to streaming platforms in September 2022.[17] The song entered multiple charts after gaining traction on TikTok,[7] most notably at No. 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached the top ten in Singapore. Most of these songs were produced using a freemium DAW called BandLab.[26]

2023–2024: Extended plays

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Burke released his debut EP, Petals to Thorns,[8][15] on May 26, 2023, through Darkroom and Interscope Records.[27][28] His second EP was released on September 8, The Lost Petals,[26] an extension of the former.[15][29] "Here with Me", released in 2022, reached the top 40 in 2023.[30] In July 2023, he was featured on "Superbloodmoon", a single from Holly Humberstone's debut album.[31] Burke performed as an opening act for SZA's SOS Tour.[18][26]

Burke released two promotional singles, "Leave Her" and "2016", as a double single titled "Withering" on February 9, 2024.[32] In March, Burke released the single "Feel It" for the soundtrack of Amazon Prime Video's television series Invincible.[33] On December 19, 2024, he released the single "Where'd It Go Wrong?".[34] He also performed "Remember Me", featured on the soundtrack for the second season of the steampunk action-adventure television series Arcane.[35]

2025–present: Debut album and investigation

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On February 7, 2025, he released the single "One More Dance".[36] On February 28, he released the single "Crashing" with Kali Uchis,[37] followed by "What Are You Waiting For" on March 28.[38] He held an album showcase for his debut studio album, Withered, at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Philippines.[39] During his Coachella debut, he faceplanted while attempting a backflip.[40][41] By November 2025, Burke had accumulated 3.6 million TikTok followers.[42]

The Withered tour began in August 2025. However, on September 8, 2025, heavily decomposed human remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to Burke, prompting Crocs and Hollister Co. to remove his promotional content.[43] Concerts scheduled for September 19–20 were canceled, and the deluxe edition of Withered, subtitled Marcescence, was shelved,[3][44] along with planned appearances. Interscope Records suspended all Burke-related promotions.[3][45]

In the following days, the tour's European and Australian shows, and Burke's planned performance at Spilt Milk in December, were canceled.[46][47] Kali Uchis sought removal of their collaboration song "Crashing" from streaming platforms.[37] During the investigation, Burke's music streams on Spotify doubled from the previous week.[48] In 2025, Burke became the top-searched musician on Google and overall person.[49][50]

Influences

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In an interview with the Japanese YouTuber Takashii, while Burke was in Japan for the yearly festival Fuji Rock, he stated that anime is "one of my biggest influences",[11][15] including series such as Dragon Ball Z,[15] Naruto, and My Hero Academia.

Over time, touring with artists like SZA and building real-world connections allowed him to infuse more personal, "evolved" maturity into his work, as he reflected in a 2025 interview with People.[51]

Personal life

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Burke is a Christian, stating in an interview with Astrophe Magazine: "I get my personal power from God for sure. I am a heavy believer in the Christian faith."[52]

[edit]
Main article: Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

On September 8, 2025, Burke performed at the Fillmore Minneapolis as part of his Withered Tour.[53][54] The same day, heavily decomposed human remains were discovered in Los Angeles inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to Burke.[55][56][57] The discovery came after the LAPD was called by a tow yard worker to investigate a foul odor emanating from the Tesla.[53][58]

On September 16, 2025, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the body as that of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County.[59][60] Her body was discovered one day after her 15th birthday, with evidence suggesting she died long before discovery.[61] On September 18, 2025, LAPD investigators executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills property previously occupied by Burke.[62] Electronic materials, including a computer, were seized[63] and shortly afterwards, Burke's manager terminated the lease on the property, and Burke moved out.[64] Burke has retained a criminal defense attorney known for representing celebrities.[65] As of February 2026, no charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.[66]

Discography

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Main article: D4vd discography

Studio albums

Tours

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Headlining

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Supporting

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Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
Streamy Awards 2023 Rolling Stone Sound of the Year "Here with Me" Nominated [67]
14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards Music Video (Independent) "Romantic Homicide" Nominated [23]
BMI Pop Awards 2024 Award-Winning Songs "Here with Me" Won [68]
"Romantic Homicide"
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards 2025 Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television "Feel It" Nominated [69]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2025 2025 Favorite Male Breakout Artist D4vd Nominated [70]

Notes

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  1. ^ Pronounced as "David" and stylized in all lower letter case.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cross, Alan (October 3, 2022). "5 songs you must hear this week". Global News. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  2. ^ Pelisek, Christine (November 24, 2025). "LAPD Captain Reveals What Cops Saw When Celeste Rivas Hernandez Was Found Dead in D4vd's Trunk — and She Wasn't Frozen (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Strauss, Matthew (September 19, 2025). "D4vd Cancels Tour After Investigators Identify Body in His Tesla as Missing Teenage Girl". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  4. ^ Garcia, Thania; Aswad, Jem (September 19, 2025). "D4vd Cancels U.S. Tour Amid Investigation Into Dead Body in Car Registered to Him". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Lee, Cydney (May 15, 2023). "How Fortnite Led to 18-year-old D4vd Quietly Dominating Alternative Music". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Genius (November 11, 2022). "d4vd "Romantic Homicide" Official Lyrics & Meaning – Verified". Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Sandiford, Kayla (April 28, 2025). "d4vd: I wanted this project to be super, unequivocally me". DIY. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Armstrong, Megan (June 2, 2023). "How Singer-Songwriter D4vd Became the Mouthpiece for Gen-Z Heartache". GQ. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (September 23, 2025). "Everything We Know About D4vd, From the Body Found in His Car to His Career". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  10. ^ Herh, Kala (December 5, 2022). "The Story of D4vd". V. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Check out "Romantic Homicide" the new tune from d4vd". OutInPerth. September 22, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Dazed (August 6, 2025). "d4vd is looking for the next d4vd". Dazed. Archived from the original on September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Pesantez, Joel (April 23, 2024). "Insider Beat: d4vd on leveling up with 'Beats on the Banks'". The Daily Targum. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Lee, Neena (May 15, 2023). "Billboard's 21 Under 21: See Who Made the 2023 List". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Grove, Rashad (December 21, 2023). "After releasing 'Petals to Thorns' and 'Lost Petals,' the Houston native went from a successful gamer to an emerging artist on the alternative scene". BET. Archived from the original on May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
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  17. ^ a b c Firth, Abigail (September 28, 2022). "d4vd: multi-genre visionary turning TikTok attention into major chart success". NME. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Jordan, Meagan (November 21, 2023). "Meet the Gamer Who Caught SZA's Ear". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 9, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  19. ^ Broad, Dennis; Lloyd, Jonathan (November 18, 2025). "Singer D4vd identified as suspect in connection with death of Celeste Rivas, LAPD says". NBC Los Angeles. Archived from the original on November 22, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Zellner, Xander. "Hot 100 First-Timers: D4vd Debuts With Breakthrough Hit "Romantic Homicide"". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  21. ^ Kylene, Jazmin (September 20, 2022). "d4vd's Haunting "Romantic Homicide" Is the Birth of a New Timeless Artist". Ones to Watch. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  22. ^ Price, Joe (September 8, 2022). "d4vd Releases Video for Track "Romantic Homicide"". Complex. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  23. ^ a b "2023 HMMA Nominations". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  24. ^ Caitlin, LoPilato (August 30, 2022). "Best New Artists". Complex. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  25. ^ Stutz, Colin. "Inside Track: Music Biz Gets Back-to-School With Exec Moves, Deals for Ice Spice, Blondshell, d4vd & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Mariah, D (August 23, 2023). "Watch d4vd Commit "Romantic Homicide" In This Raw Performance Of His Breakthrough Hit". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  27. ^ Wass, Mike (May 26, 2023). "From Gamer to Alt-Pop Star: How D4vd is Conquering Music One DIY Hit at a Time". Variety. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  28. ^ Martin, Andrea Ortiz-Vivanco (April 22, 2025). "d4vd announces headline show at 3Olympia". Hotpress. Archived from the original on May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  29. ^ Taylor, Sam (September 8, 2023). "D4vd Is Celebrating The Release Of His 'The Lost Petals' With A New Video For 'Rehab'". Dork. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Brandle, Lars (February 13, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Notches Four Weeks Atop U.K. Chart With Flowers". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  31. ^ Richards, Will (July 29, 2023). "Holly Humberstone and d4vd team up on new track 'Superbloodmoon'". NME. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025.
  32. ^ Horvath, Zachary (February 9, 2024). "D4vd Delivers Emo Alternative Cuts On His Two Pack Withering". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  33. ^ Horvath, Zachary (April 1, 2024). "D4vd Continues To Solidify His Hitmaking Skills On Feel It". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  34. ^ Williams, Aaron (December 20, 2024). "d4vd Wonders 'Where'd It Go Wrong?' In His Heartbroken New Video". UPROXX. Archived from the original on May 3, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  35. ^ Shutler, Ali (November 15, 2024). "d4vd shares brooding 'Remember Me' from 'Arcane' soundtrack". NME. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  36. ^ Shutler, Ali (February 7, 2025). "d4vd talks 'One More Dance' and "primal" debut album 'Withered'". NME. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  37. ^ a b Shifferaw, Abel (September 18, 2025). "Kali Uchis Says She's Pulling Her Song With D4vd After Body of 15-Year-Old Girl Was Found in His Car". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  38. ^ Richards, Will (July 29, 2023). "Holly Humberstone and d4vd team up on new track 'Superbloodmoon'". NME. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025.
  39. ^ Saenz, Rome (May 5, 2025). "d4vd To Host Free 'WITHERED' Album Showcase In Manila This May". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  40. ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 14, 2025). "D4vd Knows He's No Benson Boone, Cops to Failed Backflip During Coachella Set: 'Humiliation Ritual Complete'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 16, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  41. ^ Pointer, Flisadam (April 13, 2025). "D4vd Hilariously Reacts To His Viral Failed Backflip At Coachella 2025". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  42. ^ "Celeste Rivas-Hernandez's body was not frozen nor decapitated when found in D4vd's Tesla, police say". ABC7 Los Angeles. November 25, 2025. Archived from the original on November 26, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  43. ^ Botelho, Renan (September 9, 2025). "Crocs and Hollister Remove Singer D4vd From Campaign Due to Investigation Surrounding Body Found in His Tesla". WWD. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  44. ^ Mackey, Ashley; Flay, Sophie (September 8, 2025). "LAPD finds body inside impounded Tesla that's registered to singer D4vd". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  45. ^ Molloy, Laura (September 20, 2025). "D4vd cancels US tour and deluxe album amidst investigation in decomposing teen body found in his Tesla". NME. ISSN 0028-6362. OCLC 60624023. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  46. ^ Powell, Amy (September 22, 2025). "Vigil held for 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, whose body was found in Tesla belonging to D4vd". ABC7 New York. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  47. ^ McCabe, Kathy (September 22, 2025). "American singer D4vd dropped from Spilt Milk festival and concerts cancelled after body found in car". News AU. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  48. ^ Denis, Kyle; Lipshutz, Jason; Unterberger, Andrew (September 24, 2025). "D4vd's Streams Double After Reports Link Him to Dead Body Found in Car". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  49. ^ Mier, Tomás (December 5, 2025). "D4vd Was Google's Top Trending Musician in 2025 Amid Death Investigation". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  50. ^ "Google's Year in Search". Google Trends. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  51. ^ Avila, Daniela (April 7, 2025). "d4vd on Living 'Vicariously' Through Others as a Homeschooled Kid—and the Invaluable Advice He Got from SZA (Exclusive)". People.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  52. ^ "D4VD". Astrophe Magazine. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  53. ^ a b Sharp, Julie (September 22, 2025). "Lake Elsinore community mourns 15-year-old whose body was found in Tesla belonging to d4vd". CBS News. Archived from the original on September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  54. ^ Lloyd, Jonathan; Broad, Dennis; Blankstein, Andrew (September 9, 2025). "Singer D4vd cooperating with investigation into body found in impounded Tesla, rep says". NBC Los Angeles. Archived from the original on September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  55. ^ Wilgoren, Peter (September 22, 2025). "Coroner's report will be key to solving the Celeste Rivas Hernandez homicide case". Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  56. ^ Nowell, Cecilia (September 29, 2025). "Body of missing teen found in D4vd's Tesla likely 'dead for several weeks,' say police". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  57. ^ "Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been dead for weeks before being discovered inside D4vd's Tesla". Los Angeles Times. September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  58. ^ Scott, Katie (September 19, 2025). "Family of missing teen found dead in singer D4vd's car speaks out". Global News. Archived from the original on September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  59. ^ Solis, Nathan (September 22, 2025). "She deserves justice: Celeste Rivas' hometown mourns 'sweet child' found dead in singer's car". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  60. ^ Stone, Alex; Deliso, Meredith (September 30, 2025). "Body found in D4vd's Tesla: Teen's cause and manner of death still undetermined". ABC News. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  61. ^ Chow, Vivian (November 22, 2025). "Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered body reportedly found partially frozen in D4vd's car". KTLA. Archived from the original on November 23, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  62. ^ Stone, Alex; Deliso, Meredith (September 18, 2025). "Los Angeles home where D4vd has stayed searched after body of teen found in singer's Tesla: Sources". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  63. ^ Hernandez, Salvador (September 27, 2025). "Singer D4vd broke lease and moved out of Hollywood Hills home searched in 15-year-old girl's death". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  64. ^ Santaflorentina, Hayley (October 2, 2025). "D4vd's Manager Speaks Out Amid Celeste Rivas Hernandez Death Investigation". E! Online. Archived from the original on October 5, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  65. ^ Conlin, Lauren (October 1, 2025). "PI Says Teen Tragedy Was "Bad Decision" as D4vd Hires Blair Berk". LAmag. Archived from the original on October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  66. ^ Helsel, Phil (November 18, 2025). "Singer D4vd is a suspect in death of 15-year-old found in trunk, LAPD source says". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  67. ^ Madarang, Charisma (August 28, 2023). "Streamy Awards 2023: The Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  68. ^ "2024 BMI Pop Music Awards". BMI.com. June 4, 2024. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  69. ^ Grein, Paul (February 24, 2025). "Wicked, Like a Bird Among Winners at 2025 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards: Full List". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  70. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (May 15, 2025). "Kids' Choice Awards 2025: Tyla to Host; Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar Lead Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 21, 2025.

Cited literature

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Zebua, Gifford; Silalahi, Charles; Latupeirissa, Kezia (February 25, 2025). "Analysis of Deixis in D4vd Song Lyrics Entitled Here With Me". Journal of Comprehensive Science. 4 (2): 935–942. doi:10.59188/jcs.v4i2.3020. Archived from the original on May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.

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