Keepingitreal

Trey Songz On Blueprint 3 Tour: ‘I Will Make My Mark’

VIBE.COM ~ Trey Songz enjoyed the biggest year of his career in 2009. Now, he’s touring with two of the biggest rappers in the game, Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. The Blueprint 3 tour stops in New Orleans tonight, and Atlanta and Greensboro, N.C., over the weekend before hitting New York City’s Madison Square Garden on March 2.

A few weeks before the outing kicked off, Trey spoke to VIBE about his major look. “I actually had a couple tour proposals, and this one was in the best alignment with what I have going on,” he said. “My 2009 career path was very urgent and very full, and I think the Blueprint 3 tour is very urgent as well, diverse crowd. And you know Jay said he need me to bring the ladies out. He got no girls.”

All jokes aside, Trey always performs well vocally but admits his showmanship on stage could use some tweaking—“My actions, just demanding the stage and demanding the audience’s attention,” said the singer. “Entertaining is a craft and there’s no one way to do it. There’s the way that suits you as an artist and I’m still exploring that.” 

His show antics aren’t likely to go as far as his acrobatic peers Chris Brown, Omarion and Usher.

“I think if I was one of those artists, I probably wouldn’t be on this tour. Kudos to everybody that dances and sings ’cause that’s phenomenal and very hard to do. It’s all about precision so I admire that,” said Trey. “That’s not really me, though. I’ll give you a little something here or there, but I don’t know when in the history books it said because you sing you have to dance. If you’re not comfortable doing it, you shouldn’t do it because people can see that on you.” 

While Trey has no problem holding the ladies' attention, hooking the fellas is another story. Even as a supporting act, Trey isn't unconcerned with being overshadowed by the bigwigs.

“It’s really about making sure that the show is digestible for all audiences. Because no matter what [Jay and Jeezy] do, I’m still me,” said Trey. “We joke around about the Mod Squad, doing an album and stuff like that. I’m just making sure I maintain my presence and my personality ’cause those are dominant players in the game. Jay-Z’s done it all and it is a Jay-Z tour. But I will make my mark on this tour.” —Clover Hope

Chris Brown x Tiger: Give A Black Man A Chance?

Chris Brown knows about public apologies. So it’s no surprise that the singer has pledged support for Tiger Woods, who held a press conference late last week to apologize for his marital indiscretions.

Since the violent incident with his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, Brown, too, has been trying to repair his public image and says he empathizes with the famed golfer.

"My hat goes off to him," Brown told Detroit radio station Mojo in the Morning. "I support him. I hope he gets back on the field and does his thing because he is the best at it."

Speaking from experience, Brown thinks people should focus on Tiger’s achievements rather than his personal life. Following the release of his latest album, Graffiti, the singer recently dropped a new mixtape and, like Woods, he's moving past the drama and focusing on his craft.

"I think this goes for me and him—his personal life is his personal life. Nobody has the right to place judgment or make any judgment on somebody else's personal life when they're not directly involved with them," said Brown. "He plays golf. That's his sport, that's his hobby, that's his love, that's what people love him for. They don't love him for the other stuff that they talk about. Even with me, I do music, I sing songs, I'm an entertainer, I'm a performer. But people make mistakes.

"I think people always deserve a second chance… I know my fans gave me a second chance," Brown continued. “People have to realize that everybody's human. The good thing is, if you learn from your mistakes, then that's a part of life." --Clover Hope

Moving Forward With the 2010 Census

It’s that time of the decennial again, when the federal government starts sending out census questionnaires to millions of residents. And the government is urging everyone -- especially African Americans -- to fill out their forms and get counted.

“Historically, African Americans have been reluctant to participate in the census in the past,” says Arnold Jackson, associate director for the 2010 census. “Other than voting, I’m not sure anything is as important-the census helps dictate who represents us and where federal dollars are spent in our communities.” Unfortunately, the 2000 Census missed an estimated one million people of color and also undercounted low-income people and children.

The 2010 Census will ask for your name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home – the simple questions will take about 10 minutes to answer, he says. (Sample questionnaire) The Constitutionally mandated census is conducted every 10 years and counts every resident in the United States. The census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year and also help determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We’ve made progress on reducing the differential undercount, but it is extremely for any group that is concerned about equal representation to participate,” says Jackson.

By March, the 10-question census form will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. The federal government would like the form mailed back by April 1. If the form isn’t returned, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form. Though the majority – 90% -- of forms will be mailed, the census bureau will also send out staff to areas where is not delivered to residences uniformly and areas that historically have a low rate of return of questionnaires to conduct interviews. CONTINUE READING...

The Gospel According to Mo'Nique

By Clay Cane ~ Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and Katharine Hepburn could all come back from the dead to do battle on Oscar night, and they still might have trouble ripping that gold statuette from Mo'Nique's clutches. Her searing performance as a mentally ill mother in Lee Daniels’s six-time Oscar nominated film Precious is about as close as it gets to a sure thing on Oscar night.

With Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award wins already under her belt, things couldn't get much better for Mo’, who is also making headlines as the host of The Mo’Nique Show. Her BET talk show makes her only the second black woman to venture into late night (Whoopi Goldberg did it first, and Wanda Sykes started a few weeks later).

A lifelong supporter of gay causes and AIDS awareness, the sassy woman who once shouted “skinny bitches are evil" from the mountaintops found time to chat it up with Advocate.com about Precious, her talk show, and homophobia in the church — with a prophecy that God has plans to smack the shit out of some folks!Advocate.com: Back in April of 2009 I attended a BET event, which is where The Mo'nique Show was first announced. While talking to the audience, which was a bit of a conservative crowd, you mentioned how your show is for everyone and even said the gay community. Some people only support gay audiences in front of gay audiences.
Mo'Nique: [Laughs] That’s funny — yes!

Why is it important for you to be inclusive?
Because love conquers all. Who you choose to live your life with — that’s not my concern, nor is it my business. I think we should just love each other as human beings. We get caught up in the foolishness. I believe if we would just start loving each other as human beings, we would be in a much better position.

Recently on your talk show you had R&B singer Miki Howard as a guest. Both of you said you grew up with gay people in church and there wasn’t anything wrong with it. That was so refreshing to hear. Could you elaborate on your experiences with gays in the church?
I actually was not a person that grew up in church — that’s what Miki was saying and I was agreeing. Now, I know a lot of folks that go to church and are gay. I tell them, “God don’t make no mistakes, baby, and we keep using it when it’s convenient.” If we are all made in his image, there are no mistakes. I think it’s absolute foolishness, just in my humble opinion, when people make statements like, “It’s blasphemy and you’re going to hell!” Really? And I’m a child of God — do you think God set me up? I’ve never bought in to it. With gays and church, I think there are so many of our brothers and sisters that’s in pain because they go to a place to receive nurturing, the love of God, and you start hearing that you’re going to hell because of who you were made to be. I just don’t buy that! CONTINUE READING...

Whitney Houston Angers Fans

Behind the Scenes: Swagga Digital Magazine Making of Spring Issue

Swagga Digital HD Magazine Behind the Scenes from Ron Fulcher on Vimeo.

Highlights from one of many photo shoots, behind the scenes on the making of the Spring 2010 Issue, This segment photography is Duane Cramer shooting his layouts.

Say it Loud Fashion Show February 27, 2010

 

Behind the Scenes: Swagga Digital Magazine Making of Spring Issue

Vonn for the ages; Lindsey wins first Olympic gold

WHISTLER, British Columbia (AP) -- If this is how Lindsey Vonn skis with a bruised shin, then the rest of the field has no chance.Vonn showed no signs of discomfort when she won the Olympic downhill by more than half a second Wednesday, with childhood rival and American teammate Julia Mancuso taking a surprise silver medal."This is everything I've wanted and hoped for," Vonn said, her voice choked with emotion. "I gave up everything for this."Vonn hurt her right shin Feb. 2 during pre-Olympic training in Austria and had hardly skied over the past two weeks. Still, as the two-time defending overall World Cup champion and the winner of five of the six downhills this season, she was an overwhelming favorite."She had the weight of the world on her," said Vonn's husband and chief adviser, a former U.S. skier who also serves as a personal coach. "People were basically hanging the medal around her neck before the start. That's incredibly hard to deal with."Thomas Vonn was up at the top of the hill before his wife's run, and the Vonns embraced in a hug that lasted for 30 seconds when they reunited at the finish."It was one of the most clutch runs I've ever seen," Thomas Vonn said.In a race characterized by several crashes -- including one to Swedish standout Anja Pärson -- Vonn's sped down Franz's Downhill in 1 minute, 44.19 seconds.Mancuso finished 0.56 seconds behind, and Elisabeth Görgl of Austria took the bronze medal, 1.46 seconds back.Maria Riesch of Germany, Vonn's best friend and usual rival of late, finished eighth. Andrea Fischbacher of Austria placed fourth, Fabienne Suter of Switzerland fifth and Whistler local Britt Janyk of Canada sixth.The comfortable margin was in sharp contrast to the men's downhill Monday, when only 0.09 seconds separated the winner, Didier Defago of Switzerland, from the bronze medalist, Bode Miller. That was the tiniest margin between first and third place in Olympic men's downhill history. CONTINUE READING...

Winter Olympic Coverage

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Shani Davis wins gold in men's 1,000 speedskating

With a furious kick on the final lap Wednesday, Shani Davis stuck his skate across the line and won his second straight gold medal in 1,000-meter Olympic speedskating.Four years ago at Turin, he became the first African-American athlete to win an individual gold at the Winter Games. This time, he simply wanted to be known for his skating. Period."When you're a world champion or an Olympic champion, you get this little thing on your back called a target," said Davis, the first male skater to win this event a second time at the Winter Games. "To go out there and win the 1,000 meters twice is truly amazing."The Americans broke their medal drought at the Richmond Olympic Oval with a flourish, claiming not just one but two spots on the podium. Chad Hedrick, who won three medals at the 2006 games, took a surprising bronze after struggling to regain his motivation after Italy."I had to dig down deep and find my passion for speedskating again," the Texan said.Davis swung both arms twice on the final backstretch, knowing he needed a little more speed to catch South Korea's Mo Tae-bum. The American found just enough, posting a time of 1 minute, 8.94 seconds.Mo, who won gold in the 500 two days ago, settled for silver this time, 18-hundreths behind Davis. Hedrick was next in 1:09.32."Those last 200, 300 meters were very difficult," Davis said. "I was just trying to carry my speed. I could feel it leaving me. It doesn't matter what it looks like, just as long as you get across the line as quick as you could."Davis pumped his fist in the air and slapped hands with the U.S. coaches on the backstretch. Then, as he coasted around near the finish line, Hedrick skated over to shake his hand firmly and pat him on the back several times.Four years ago, their accomplishments in Italy — Davis won a gold and silver; Hedrick a medal of each color — were overshadowed by a nasty feud stemming from the team pursuit.Davis wanted to stick with his individual events, a decision that peeved Hedrick, who believed it cost the Americans a shot at a medal.Their animosity boiled over at a news conference after the 1,500, in which Davis finished second and Hedrick third. Hedrick brought up the team pursuit, and Davis stormed out of the room complaining that Hedrick didn't congratulate him on his gold, only the silver. CONTINUE READING...

The Makeup Show LA

Events

Bringing together the best talent the industry has to offer, The Makeup Show LA will provide attendees with inspiration and education in many forms.

Artists from Film and Television, Editorial and Fashion, Theater and FX as well as leaders in education and business will all be on hand to present special seminars and demonstrations from every area of makeup artistry will ensure two motivation-filled days of intense learning. Please note that presenters and scheduled times of all events are subject to change without notice.

The Makeup Show LA is now offering 101 Education Class and Understanding Photography
For anyone just getting started or interested in pursuing a career in makeup, Makeup and photography 101 is the perfect introduction to the world of professional makeup artistry and understanding makeup for photography. we’ll take you through the entire process of creating a flawless beauty makeup, help you understand your product and tools, and how to design and create a perfect makeup application for every job.
Saturday February 27, for detail of the class click here

Show Floor Events
Two intimate classroom areas provide space for up to 60 seated attendees to watch exhibitor demonstrations right on the main floor of the show. Open to all show attendees, on a first come first serve basis.
Main Floor Seminar

Hands-on Workshops
The LA Makeup Show Hands-on Workshops are located on the show floor area.
Sunday February 28 Hands-on Workshops
Monday March 1 Hands-on Workshops

Keynote and Business Forum
The Keynote and Business Forum is located on the show floor area and is complimentary to The Makeup Show LA attendees.
Keynote and Business Forum

California Market Center
110 East 9th Street,
Penthouse / 13th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90079

 To receive updates on The Make Up Show, click here.
For The Makeup Show Photo Gallery, click here.

Usher at the NBA All-Star Game

John Mayer Didn’t Hurt This Black Girl’s Feelings

By Leslie Pitterson  Memo to black girls everywhere: John Mayer may think you’re attractive, but he probably won’t be taking you home to meet his mama.

Oh, wait. You already knew that didn’t you? Did you have a feeling? Woo-hoo?

Now look, before all the “she hates her brown skin” mess starts, I want to preface this by saying that I am a black girl who loves herself and loves being black. I am not secretly self loathing nor am I the ‘kill-whitey’ type either. I am, like most people, somewhat hard to explain. I went through a prepster phase in middle school, but I wore Kente cloth for my children’s choir performances at church in the Bronx. My home is full of laughter, curry goat and reggae music on Sundays but I went to school with friends who played lacrosse, summer-ed in the Hamptons and introduced me to indie music- and John Mayer.

When Mayer dropped Room for Squares, he became a staple in my fold out CD case. His lyrics were detailed and lush. I mean who says things like “I love the shape you take while crawling to the pillowcase.” He could play guitar like nobody’s business (fast forward to his riffing to “Human Nature” at MJ’s memorial service). To this day, there are few artists who can cover classics like Tom Perry’s “Free Fallin’” and make them new again while simultaneously hopping on new joints and making them hot (see his collab with Wale on “Letters”).

John Mayer has been sampled by Kanye and Common, been featured on tracks with Alicia and was even background music to the infamous Merwin 1st season split on Mara Broc Akil’s The Game. Besides Memphis’ own Justin Timberlake and Coldplay lead singer, Chris Martin, there have not been too many white boys who hip-hop embraced. And now two weeks into black history month, I find myself sitting here asking the question- how, Mr. Mayer, how did you screw this up? CONTINUE READING...

Within hours of his Playboy interview going online, John Mayer got subjected to a twitter scolding like I have not seen since Chris Matthews forgot Barack was black (that was just two weeks ago you say? Yes. My point exactly.) In the now notorious (no Biggie pun intended) interview for the March issue of Playboy, John Mayer talks in detail about his relationship with Jen Aniston, Jessica Simpson (whom he calls “sexual napalm”), his addiction to porn and then the two topics that have lead to the “John-Mayer-is-a-secret-racist” charge: 1. having a hood pass and 2. having a “Benetton heart” and a “David Duke d*ck.”

On being asked how it feels to have a hood pass, Mayer said,

“…it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’”

Raheem DeVaughn: Master at Work

Attentive lyrics that soothe is what comes to mind when someone speaks the name Raheem DeVaughn.  As he serenades the woman across the generations and showers her with his many thanks-yous in his 2008 Grammy nominated single “Woman” or the dedication of every word in his song “You” to his love interest, you know right away that Raheem DeVaughn is man about loving and being loved, and that soul is not dead.

He’s one of few artists that has resurrected real soul music, and it might help that the New Jersey born, Maryland bred artist’s father is jazz cellist Abdul Wadud.  No surprise to learn that his cousin is soul music’s little sister Chrisette Michele. DeVaughn has music literally flowing through his veins.

In his latest project, The Love & War MasterPeace, a double CD set to be released March 2, 2010, you’ll find not just songs of love, but songs that deliver strong social messages like “Bulletproof” featuring Ludacris.  Geniuses like Bryan Cox and Scott Storch helped to make The Love & War MasterPeace happen, and appearances from Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Ledisi, Chico DeBarge, Dwele and more are anticipated, including Harvard Professor, Dr. Cornel West. CONTINUE READING...

First black Olympic figure skating pair electrify crowd

James and Bonheur, who met on an Internet site for competitive pairs skaters seeking partners, finished 14th on the evening. But with a series of high-flying jumps and high-risk lifts and throws, they were an audience favorite. Bonheur, 27, took the moment in his stride, saying he did not set out to find a black partner."We hope that in the future we can win many medals and have a black coach and officials in pairs skating," Bonheur told reporters after the performance."I didn't search for a black girl in the first place, just a girl who wanted to try and work for it."James, 22, has skated with Bonheur for three years. Born in Canada, she had competed for Britain as a single. She was granted French citizenship last year.She said their performance at the Winter Games showed the door had finally been opened for black pairs skaters.They were not the first black skaters in the Olympics, however -- Debi Thomas, for example, won a bronze medal at the Calgary games in 1988. Surya Bonaly of France competed in three Olympics in the 1990s."I hope we do see more black skaters and we see more couples," James said.

Record crowd sees East edge West in All-Star game

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—To Dwyane Wade(notes), it felt more like a stage than a court. More than 108,000 fans jammed Cowboys Stadium to the top, the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game.

It was time for something special. Wade’s done that before—right here in North Texas. Wade had 28 points and won MVP honors, and the Eastern Conference edged the West 141-139 on Sunday night in the NBA All-Star game.

“To be able to perform in front of a crowd like that, I know that. I know I can do it, I’ve done it before,” Wade said. “So just to be able to put on a show like that and to get the win, and to make key plays down the stretch was what I like.” The crowd of 108,713, packed with the usual celebrities and athletes the NBA All-Star game always attracts, watched Dallas native Chris Bosh(notes) make the winning free throws with 5 seconds left. The West had a chance to win it, but Carmelo Anthony’s(notes) 3-point attempt came up short.

“To be in front of 108,000 fans, that was actually what it was, that was not a false number. You could look up in the stands, and there was not a seat open,” LeBron James(notes) said. “To be part of history is something that you always wish and dream for.” The largest cheer of the night came earlier, when Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones came onto the court to announce the record crowd, which was also the largest in the $1.2 billion building’s short history. They were booing at the end when Wade went to the line and made two free throws with 12.7 seconds left. Dirk Nowitzki(notes) of the hometown Mavericks tied it with two of his own 5 seconds before Bosh put the East on top for the final time. Wade, the MVP of the 2006 NBA finals when Miami won the title in Dallas, added 11 assists and six rebounds. James had 25 points, and Bosh had 23 points and 10 rebounds.

“I’ve had a little luck in Dallas. Of course, 2006 is very, very memorable, something I dreamed of doing for a long time, winning the NBA championship and I was lucky enough and blessed enough to win the MVP there,” Wade said. “To come and do it again is special.”

Anthony scored 27 points, and Nowitzki—who Kobe Bryant(notes) had predicted would win MVP honors—had 22.

But just like four years ago, Wade found a way to top Nowitzki’s best. The Miami star was 12 of 16 from the field and also had five steals.

The star in this one, though, was the building. The NBA brought its midseason showcase to a football stadium, and the arrangement worked perfectly. The league was predicting about 90,000 but ended up blowing past Jones’ and Cuban’s hopes to reach 100,000. CONTINUE READING...

PITBULL SNAGS TWO NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2010 BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC AWARDS IN APRIL

Pitbull also nominated for a 2010 BMI Award, 3 Winter Conference Awards and 25th Annual International Dance Music Award for hit singles “Hotel Room Service” and “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”

Spanish album Armando set for release in early May; New English album set for Summer

 

MIAMI, FL - Feb. 12, 2010 – Pitbull added to his extensive list of accomplishments with two nominations from the 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Both are in the Latin Rhythm Airplay category, the first for Artist of the Year (Solo) and the second for Song of the Year, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho).”

The nominations follow the Miami-based artist international success with “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” a song Pitbull rode to the top of the most important popular charts around the world. To date, Pitbull has sold over a half a million copies of his major-label debut Rebelution, in addition to sales of over 6 million for his singles, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” “Hotel Room Service,” “Krazy,” and current single “Shut It Down.”

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honor kicks off a busy 2010 for Pitbull, who already has been nominated for a BMI Award, 3 Winter Music Conference awards including “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” in Best Rap/Hip Hop Dance Track category and the 25^th Annual International Dance Music Award for Best Latin/Reggaeton track for his songs “Hotel Room Service” and “I Know You Want Me.” Pitbull also launched another world tour. In early May, the artist will release his Spanish album Armando, which will follow with a new English album in summer.

This year’s edition of the Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast live April 29 from San Juan Puerto Rico. The ceremony honors the most popular records, songs and artists in Latin music according to sales and radio reports from the weekly Billboard charts. This year’s presentation will be based on the weekly Billboard charts during the yearly period beginning February 7, 2009 through January 30, 2010.

For more information about Pitbull please visit www.planetpit.com and www.pitbullmusic.com.

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Your cell phone company's dirty little secret

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mobile phone companies have been lauded for slashing the cost of unlimited voice plans, but many wireless customers' monthly bills are actually going to get a bit more expensive.

Last month, both Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) and AT&T (T, Fortune 500) lowered their unlimited voice plans by $30 to $70 per month. Sprint (S, Fortune 500) recently unveiled a plan that allows unlimited calls to any mobile device for $60 per month. That brought the three biggest mobile carriers' prices closer to rival T-Mobile, which offers a $60 per month unlimited plan, and in line with a slew of low-cost carriers that offer similar plans for about $40 per month.

But as the wireless giants go around touting their lower voice prices, data plan costs have been quietly moving higher for some non-smartphone customers.

It began with Verizon Wireless. Last month, that company began requiring certain non-smartphone customers to subscribe to a data plan that costs at least $10 per month. Mobile experts believe Verizon's move marks the first step in a larger trend to make up for carriers' lost revenue from voice.

"There's a big shift going on among mobile companies, in which there is a price reduction on voice and an increased emphasis on selling and requiring data services," said Dan Hays, partner at PRTM. "It is like a dirty little secret."

Smartphone owners are used to paying for an unlimited data plan with T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T customers doling out the most: roughly $30 per month. Sprint offers a slightly different service, but also requires smartphone users to subscribe to an unlimited plan.

But non-smartphone customers aren't used to high-priced data plans. Less expensive, limited data plans have been largely available but not widely adopted. Verizon said it began to require new customers who purchase so-called "3G multimedia" phones to subscribe to a data plan in part so that they could get the full functionality out of their phones.

"Many customers didn't understand they could use the Web on their phones," said Brenda Raney, spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless. "We hope that people who were reluctant to use data plans because they didn't know it was affordable will use them now."

Previously, Verizon offered non-smartphone customers two data plans: $10 for up to 25 megabytes or $20 for up to 75 megabytes. In January, Verizon eliminated the $20 plan and replaced it with a $30 unlimited plan that was previously available only to smartphone users.

3G multimedia phones include a wide array of phones, ranging from the LG enV Touch, which has a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard, to the Motorola Entice, essentially a standard flip phone that can access the mobile Web. CONTINUE READING...

20-Year Anniversary of Mandela's Release From Prison

South Africans are observing the twenty year anniversary since the country's elder statesman Nelson Mandela walked free from an apartheid prison.  The anniversary is being marked with a symbolic march from the prison, speeches, and exhibits at museums.

It was a day few South Africans expected to see, Nelson Mandela walking down the road a free man and hand-in-hand with his then wife, Winnie Mandela.  He emerged to a rapturous crowd outside the Victor Verster prison not far from Cape Town, with millions across the country and the globe watching the event live on television.

There had been some debate among his ANC handlers that day about where he should make his first address, with many believing it should be in his home town of Soweto.  Jay Naidoo, then general secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, tells VOA that Mandela chose otherwise.

"And at the end of all of this debate which he listened very closely to he said, I have been in Cape Town for 27 years, this is the place which has been my home for that 27 years, I will make my first address to the nation here.  And that was the end of the debate," he said.

And so in the fading light of February 11, 1990, Mr. Mandela came on to the balcony of Cape Town's city hall, and addressed the excited, massed crowd.  He reminded them of his words from the dock in the 1964 trial for sabotage in which he was sentenced to life behind bars.

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die," said Mr. Mandela. CONTINUE READING...