Who is T.O.N.E-z?
P… Read Full Bio ↴As taken from the Official T.O.N.E-z Myspace:
Who is T.O.N.E-z?
Perhaps you've heard the name before, or by the previous alias Style (or Tony Tone not to be confused with any of the other people to go by that name). T.O.N.E-z signed with Select Records (a powerhouse in the early 90s, featuring acts such as Chubb Rock, Kid N' Play and M.O.P.). His first release on Select Records was entitled "In Tone We Trust". He also released two singles, "The Assassinator" and "What a Brother Know".
After parting was with Select he dropped the Style alias they had given him and started going by T.O.N.E, which eventually morphed into T.O.N.E-z. Over the years he sold thousands of mixtapes, and worked on several releases including a project with Myzery and a full length solo album "The One No-One Expected". His exploits are too numerous to detail, but this interview with the Cavalier Daily will fill in some of the gaps: T.O.N.E. talks influences, goals, lessons learned. A good exclamation point leading up to T.O.N.E-z affiliation with Rydas Records would be his Mannequins / State of Hip Hop video.
Pedigree
If you've already checked out the mixtape and clicked the links you have probably seen the family connections that T.O.N.E-z has. The brother of both Special K formerly of the Treacherous Three and T La Rock both hip-hop legends in their own right. Special K's group (which featured Kool Mo Dee) was signed to Sugar Hill Records and T La Rock had what some consider to be the first Def Jam release, It's Yours. (To read a 1996 New York Times article about T La Rock (which details the T.O.N.E-z/Style and Special K family connection in the tenth paragraph go here. ) Needless to say T.O.N.E-z roots lie in the origins of hip-hop and he and his family has had a profound impact on hip-hop.
For more information visit these links:
T.O.N.E-z @ MySpace
Tonezworld.Com
Rydas.Com
Rydas Records @ MySpace
Champion
T.O.N.E-z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am the champion (did it just get serious in here?)
Lights, cameras, action (I think it did)
Whenever I play
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
Okay Bob hit the stage now
Lights and cameras on
Yes I'm givin them want they want but no
I will not ever conform
'Cause I'm outside of the norm still
What a spectacular form
From the blood sweat and the tears shed
Every time I perform
And whenever your doin' your thang, yep
People gonna hate on it usually (that's right)
But I'm just as human as you I just look good while doin' it
And they telling me I have so much dough
I won't know what to do with it, hmm, well until then
I'ma continuin' maneuverin', because
I am the champion (quite a spectacular athlete)
I am the champion (if I do say so myself)
Lights, cameras, action (hahaha, seriously)
Whenever I play
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
I look in the mirror and laugh like
Look at what I've become
Everyone calls me Bob but I'm still my mother's son
And I'm lowkey when I'm out now, hell no, fame ain't fun
But I stay Live like NBA on yo' Playstation
And I entertain 'cause I'm in the game
It's easy to see I ain't into fame ('cause I ain't)
And the critics say that I imitate, but I really can't (Andre)
Please allow me to demonstrate, no matter what they say
I stay charged up like a triple A
(Really mane?) Really mane
I am the champion (I wake up and piss excellence)
I am the champion (all day)
Lights, cameras, action (please hold your applause)
Whenever I play (I'm kind of a big deal)
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
Hoo hoo you be too scared you need to go home
Hoo hoo you be too scared you need to go home
Hoo hoo you be too scared you need to go home
Ch'yeah you need to go home
Ch'yeah you need to go home
I am the champion (hey what can I say?)
I am the champion (hahaha)
Lights, cameras, action (please, no interviews)
Whenever I play (hahaha)
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
Now say, "We are the champions" (we are the champions)
We are the champions (we are the champions)
Whenever I
Whenever I play
Play
Whenever I
Whenever I play
Play
The T.O.N.E-z song “Champion” features a bold and opinionated spoken-word introduction that sets the stage for the rest of the track. The rapper begins by criticizing the state of the R&B genre, claiming that it is filled with artists who are simply singing over rap beats. He argues that in the past, iconic Motown artists like Smokey Robinson and The Isley Brothers did not reference the record labels they were signed to in their music - instead, they focused on creating quality music that stood on its own. T.O.N.E-z is making a statement that quality music matters more than the commercial aspects of it, and that creativity and originality should be the focus.
The track then shifts into a catchy chorus that has a fun party feel to it. The singer of the song is a broke woman with expensive taste who loves champagne. She is proud to have six ankle chains around her waist, but needs to get her sip on to complete her life goals. The guest rapper, Freedom Williams, enters in the second verse with confident bars about his lavish lifestyle, including fine cigars and fresh fish, as well as his skills as an MC. The track ends with a comical interlude where the singer is confronted by a supposed Shaolin Monk who challenges him to a fight, but it is quickly revealed to be a joke. Overall, the track is a fun and upbeat party anthem that celebrates the finer things in life, but also makes a point about the importance of originality in music.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo man R&B sucks!
The rapper believes that R&B is not a great genre, but there are a few artists who are decent.
I mean there's a couple of people that can flow
There are few artists in R&B who can showcase their talent.
But for the most part the genre sucks
The rapper believes that the R&B genre is generally not good.
Just a bunch of people singin over rap beats
Most R&B songs are just rap beats with singing.
Get a old rap record? Sing over it!
To make an R&B song, musicians often take an old rap song and sing over it.
Now everybody talk about their label label this label that hey
Modern R&B artists always talk about their label which is not something older artists did.
Smokey Robinson wasn't singin about Motown!
Older artists never sung about their label or producer. Smokey Robinson did not sing songs about Motown.
Listen the Isley Brothers wasn't goin 'Teaneck in the motherfuckin house!'
Older artists did not mention their hometown in their songs, unlike modern R&B artists.
The Jacksons wasn't singin about Epic
Older artists never talked about their record labels or producers.
Because nobody gave a fuck!
Older artists did not care about mentioning record labels or producers in their songs.
I, like champagne (feels good to my brain baby)
The rapper likes the feeling of drinking champagne.
I, like champagne
The rapper enjoys drinking champagne.
What you drinkin?
Asking someone what drink they are having.
(drink it in the rain)
Drinking champagne in the rain can be enjoyable.
I, love champagne
The rapper has a great love for drinking champagne.
Say it (say it once again)
Asking someone to repeat saying they love champagne.
I, like champagne
The rapper enjoys drinking champagne.
Nigga I'm broke, and feelin kinda thirsty (too blad)
The singer is broke and thirsty.
Just smoked a blunt, and, I, feel, the worst way (Black Boy)
The singer feels terrible after smoking a blunt.
My baby's father, brought me a case of St. Ide's (did you like it?)
The artist's partner brought them a case of St. Ide's beer and asked if they liked it.
Would you let the lady finish the song?
Asking someone to let the female singer finish the song.
Now I'm a broke hoe with expensive tastes (you my hoe)
The artist is a broke person who likes expensive things.
I got six ankle chains around my waist (who bought them for you baby)
The singer has six ankle chains and someone is asking who bought them for them.
Gotta get my sip on (get your sip on) cause that's my missi-on (you gotta get)
The artist wants to start drinking champagne because it is their aim.
Gotta get my champagne on, or I'm gonna get my bitch on (that's right)
If the singer does not get to drink champagne, they will have to start creating a fuss.
Cristal!
A type of champagne that the rapper enjoys drinking.
(Drink it in the rai-ai-in)
The rapper believes drinking champagne in the rain is enjoyable.
Say it again
Asking someone to repeat that they like champagne.
(Say it once again)
Asking someone to repeat that they like champagne.
Enter the Dom/e of Perignon, I never been crept upon
The singer enters the realm of Dom Perignon and has never been attacked.
I'm on the mike, and my word is bond (hoo hoo!)
The rapper is on the microphone and his lyrics are honest.
I'm the top, the pinnacle, the echelon
The rapper is the best in his field.
I'm never fallin (c'mon) and beat MC's with a baton
The rapper will never fall or fail and beats other rappers during battles.
The conniseur, I'm gonna do her over dinner
The artist is a connoisseur of good food and drinks, and plans to take a woman on a date.
(Black Boy make you jump for joy, Black Boy make you jump for joy)
A slogan from the record label of the song being played.
I said fine cigars, fresh fish, Alize toast
The artist enjoys fine cigars, fresh fish, and a toast with Alize.
My lifestyle's ghost, when you see true enlightened men
The rapper's lifestyle is quiet and unnoticed as compared to truly wealthy and enlightened people.
To MC's I incite and mend
The rapper inspires and heals other MC's.
For someone who is a Shaolin Monk
The singer is referencing their martial art skills as that of the Shaolin.
Your Kung-Fu's really lousy!
The artist believes the other person's martial art skills are poorly executed.
Boy, I'm three generations deep, in gangsterdom
The rapper is from a family of gangsters, and he is the third generation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bobby Ray Jr. Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind