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.
02
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has music really come to this?
Can't believe what I just saw on the video
Kids watching 2 girls kiss
Now I ain't hatin on nobodys hustle
'Cause I know that the root is greed
Labels keep on manufacturing
While they procreate immorality
People want some oxygen
People want to breathe
And whatever you feed them
That's what they're gonna eat
Now it's time to get back to the music now
It's a gift from God so be careful how you use it now
Get high off of creativity
Flaunt your craft not your sexuality
Artists in this industry have a responsibility
To make songs that inspire human morality
People want some oxygen
People want to breathe
And whatever you feed them
That's what they're gonna eat
"You give them junk food, they'll crave junk food"
The lyrics to Tonéx's song "02" shed light on the current state of the music industry and how it has become polluted with immorality. The song talks about the negative impact that music and music videos can have on young people, such as young children watching two girls kiss on a video. Tonéx speaks out about how the majority of the industry has turned to greed and manufacturing, which has led to the creation of low-quality music that lacks moral values.
Tonéx doesn't condemn those who participate in the production of this kind of music, but he calls on those in the industry to recognize their responsibilities. The artist suggests that with every song that is composed and shared, there's an expectation that it should inspire human morality. He notes that the music industry plays a role in shaping people's tastes and shaping the messages that are communicated, and therefore they should be careful about what they put out.
Overall, the message behind Tonéx's lyrics is that people have the right to listen to good music without immoral messages, and the music industry needs to take a more responsible and ethical approach in creating music that inspires human morality.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't believe what I just heard on the radio
Expresses surprise at the type of music being played on the radio.
Has music really come to this?
Questioning if this is what music has become.
Can't believe what I just saw on the video
Expresses surprise at the content of the music video.
Kids watching 2 girls kiss
Refers to the sexual content in music videos that children are watching.
Now I ain't hatin on nobodys hustle
Acknowledges the artists' right to make money from their work.
'Cause I know that the root is greed
Blames the record labels for promoting immoral content in music for the sake of profit.
Labels keep on manufacturing
Suggests that the record labels are creating and promoting immoral content for profit.
While they procreate immorality
Accuses the record labels of spreading immoral content in the music industry.
But everybody don't wanna hear this mess now
Acknowledges that some people may not want to hear this type of critique on the music industry.
People want some oxygen
People want good, clean music.
People want to breathe
People want to be able to listen to music that promotes positivity and morality.
And whatever you feed them
People want to consume positive, uplifting music.
That's what they're gonna eat
People will listen to the type of music that they are exposed to and that is readily available.
Now it's time to get back to the music now
Suggests that it is time to focus on creating positive, uplifting music.
It's a gift from God so be careful how you use it now
Music is a special gift from God, and should be used to promote positivity and morality.
Get high off of creativity
Encourages artists to be creative and seek inspiration from positive sources.
Flaunt your craft not your sexuality
Encourages artists to promote their musical talents instead of sexual promiscuity.
Artists in this industry have a responsibility
Acknowledges that musicians have a responsibility to promote positive content in their work.
To make songs that inspire human morality
Encourages artists to create songs that promote positive, moral values.
"You give them junk food, they'll crave junk food"
This is a proverbial phrase that reinforces the idea that people will consume what they are exposed to.
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
Still waiting on the next...