His often chameleonic image and genre-bending musical style (which he himself has dubbed Nureau) have made him alternately revered and reviled among conservative fans of Gospel music. Nonetheless, he has carved out a niche for himself as a formidable vocalist, and prolific songwriter and record producer. After honing his producing skills with a series of experimental independent recordings, TON3X made his national debut with a re-release of his most successful independent album "Pronounced Toe-Nay." His first high-profile television appearance was performing a medley of "Trinity" & "One Good Reason," blowing the crowd away on the Stellar Awards, which was a coup as TON3X (then Tonéx) was a relative unknown at the time.
A single and music video from Pronounced Toe-Nay were serviced to media outlets for "Personal Jesus". Upon its release, the album bore 5 different record label logos: Rescue Records, the independent label that originally released the album; MSS Records, TON3X's then-active vanity imprint label; Tommy Boy Gospel, the label to which TON3X was signed as an artist; Verity Records, the label to which his independent label Rescue Records sold his album's masters; and Jive Records, the mainstream umbrella over Verity Records.
Two years later, he delivered the musically progressive and pop-leaning album "O2" which got off to a great start with the popularity of the upbeat music video for the single "Bout A Thang" featuring energetic hip-hop dance and an edgy urban image not usually associated with Gospel artists. The album received it's greatest boost from the momentum gathered by the single "God Has Not 4got" on Gospel radio. The song was nominated for multiple Stellar Awards the following year. Reminiscent of the style of R. Kelly, an additional single "That's When" also garnered much radio airplay.
His 2004 double CD "Out The Box" earned him the most widespread acclaim so far, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Magazine Top Gospel Album Chart in September of 2004. He also netted a Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Album the following year, and had a bonafide radio hit with the ballad "Make Me Over". The same year, TON3X won a total of six Stellar Awards including "Artist of the Year" for Out The Box.
Following Out The Box, TON3X took the independent route, gaining creative control as well as control of his brand as a whole. TON3X has been releasing old albums, mixtapes, EP's, and singles through iTunes and his online store under the label heading of Nureau iNK. Among these releases are, a 2-track single from his hip-hop alter ego T. Bizzy, an exclusive remix album "Pronounced Remyx", and a sprawling two-disc confessional opus called "Oak Park 92105" previously only available through underground websites. A special version of "Oak Park 92105" was given a limited release to the Christian market and re-titled "Oak Park 921'o6" featuring a new song "Fail U" as lead single. Fail U was supported by a urban Japanese themed music video which is available on YouTube and iTunes. A primarily Jazz collection entitled "The London Letters" was released through Nureau iNK on iTunes and has garnered rave reviews and strong support from the Jazz community and gained secular fans that knew not of TON3X.
In March 2007, a reconciliation with Zomba Label Group was announced, which would be a joint venture for his Nureau iNK label. The deal was struck under the auspices of new Zomba president Jazzy Jordan who has previously guided the careers of R. Kelly and Salt-N-Pepa. However, as of June 2007, a split with Zomba was again announced. In the wake of several candid and revelatory songs and video blogs, TON3X is facing much scrutiny, with the bulk of criticism centering on his use of profanity in both his songs and his blogs. Though a single, "Joy," was released to radio as of May 16, 2007, his new album "Stereotype: Steel & Velvet" was stalled by Verity Records. The release date of September 11, 2007 was pending on the Verity Record label, and ultimately canceled.
Most recently, TON3X has released two mixtapes which fans consider actual albums as they both contain 20 tracks. "The Naked Truth" and "Bapost.o.g.i.c." were both released in on CD as limited edition pressings. Fans and supporters scrambled to their copies of The Naked Truth as it contains material that resulted in him being shunned by the Gospel community as well as material documenting his struggles, challenges, and revelations over the last five years. The Naked Truth and Bapost.o.g.i.c. could have been released as a set as they completely support each other in documenting where TON3X had been and where he was going. Bapost.o.g.i.c. is a new era that took TONEX from his old self to the new and improved TON3X. Bapost.o.g.i.c. is a vision, and a focus to erase the lines between C.O.G.I.C., Apostolic, and Baptist religions and bring the focus back to God. Supporting and citing the movement of 1906's Azusa Street Revival, TON3X wants unity and focus on God and not on religion and traditions.
Currently TON3X is completing a three week run starring as James "Thunder" Early in the musical play DREAMGIRLS at The Lyceum Theater located in downtown San Diego. The musical play received rave reviews and is the first of many musical and acting endeavors in the near future for TON3X. From November 2008 to January 2009, TON3X will also be starring in The Princess And The Black Eye Pea at The Lyceum Theater in downtown San Diego. TON3X is also working as a writer and staff producer for Nextlyfe Entertainment (Brandy, Eric Benet, Something for the People, Ne-Yo). TON3X wrote and produced songs for upcoming/current projects by Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Brandy, Usher, Pussycat Dolls and Danity Kane.
'Bout a Thang
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn it up really loud keep the faith no doubt
Don't you worry, don't you fret
There's a blessing, you're next
He's faithful, don't forget it
40 spins now, just check it
Trials they just a keep a pressin' me
I'll keep movin' on, won't let it get me down
People they always try to front on me
I refuse to let it get the best of me
DJ play my song, we gone rock it all night long
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle everything
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle it take care of it
I ain't worried about a thang
Time to get paid got it made in the shade
Tonex representin' all day
BET, MTV in heavy rotation
Every station got it blazin'
It's okay now
Just praise Him in advance
Trials they just a keep a pressin' me
Dancin' although the world is stressin' me
I'll keep movin' on, won't let it get me down
People they always try to front on me
I refuse to let it get the best of me
DJ play my song, we gone rock it all night long
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle everything
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle it take care of it
I ain't worried about a thang
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle everything
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle it take care of it
I ain't worried about a thang
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle everything
I'm not worried about a thang
He's gone handle it take care of it
I ain't worried about a thang
I ain't worried about
I ain't worried about, about a thang
I ain't worried about
I ain't worried about a thang
I ain't worried about
I ain't, I ain't worried about a thang
I ain't worried about
I ain't, I ain't, I ain't worried about a thang
The lyrics to Tonex's "Bout a Thang" convey a message of trust and faith in a higher power to handle any obstacles or struggles we may encounter in life. The line "I'm not worried about a thang, he's gonna handle everything" showcases the belief that there is a greater force at work than our own efforts, and that through faith, we can overcome any challenges we may face.
The song also touches on the idea of perseverance, with the lines "Trials they just keep on pressing me, dancing although the world is stressing me" showing the determination to continue moving forward despite any setbacks we may encounter. The repetition of the phrase "I ain't worried about a thang" serves as a reminder to focus on faith and trust, rather than fear and doubt.
Overall, "Bout a Thang" is an uplifting song that encourages listeners to trust in a higher power and to keep moving forward in the face of any challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey DJ, let it play all day
DJ, keep playing the music without stopping
Turn it up really loud keep the faith no doubt
Loudly play the music without any hesitation
Don't you worry, don't you fret
Do not worry or feel anxious
There's a blessing, you're next
Blessings are on the way, and your turn is coming soon
He's faithful, don't forget it
God is faithful, and we should not forget that
40 spins now, just check it
The DJ has played the song 40 times, and you can check it
Trials they just a keep a pressin' me
Challenges keep on coming my way
Dancin' although the world is stressin' me
Despite the stress caused by the world, I keep dancing/moving forward
I'll keep movin' on, won't let it get me down
I will not let life's difficulties bring me down
People they always try to front on me
People always try to be fake/show off to me
I refuse to let it get the best of me
I do not let it affect me negatively
DJ play my song, we gone rock it all night long
Requesting the DJ to play the song, and we will dance all night long
I'm not worried about a thang
I am not concerned about anything
He's gone handle everything
God will take care of everything
He's gone handle it take care of it
God will handle and take care of all things
Time to get paid got it made in the shade
It's time to get paid, and things are going well
Tonex representin' all day
Tonex is representing himself all day
BET, MTV in heavy rotation
The song is being played frequently on BET and MTV
Every station got it blazin'
The song is being played loudly on every station
It's okay now
Everything is alright now
Just praise Him in advance
Praise God in advance for the good things to come
I ain't worried about
I am not worried about
I ain't, I ain't worried about a thang
I am not worried about anything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ANTHONY C. II WILLIAMS, JAMES BEDFORD JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
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