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.
Ain't
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say that shit again, I said it once before
I just, I just, I just, I just want it all
I glisten and shine with misses' fine model chick, big behind
Bad enough to skip the line but to me she just a nine
I hop up out that double-0 you can call me Mr. Bond
Bitch I am a monster, I belong in District 9
Catch me in my office, office, doing business
[Verse 1]
I get all the eyes when I step inside and
They all arise when I am arrivin'
Bring out the Rose, Nuvo, Ciroc and
Bring out the OJ like Johnny Cochran
I guess they on son, cause my neck look like horizon
Just a million people behind me and I don't have Verizon
Man I'm chillin with my niggas nigga, and a couple cool bitches
The fuck you doin', bullshittin'
[Verse 2]
Me and my niggas say it ain't Ton
Hundred pretty girlies singing our song
Yeah I kick my feet up you can't say that I ain't home
And I be blowing on that reefer you can't say that it ain't strong and
She just, she just, she just, she just want a long dick
I put it in her mouth and now that bitch look like a conehead
When I'm done go ahead, what the fuck this is
The fuck you doing? Bullshitting
[Verse 3]
I hear, I hear, I hear man but that shit just don't compare
I tell you you the best, when I'm looking in the mirror
By the time y'all over here, I'm prolly over there
And by the time you riding what I'm riding on I'm in the air
No wonder why my mind is so cloudy, I'm drowsy
My frequent flier miles is in the thousies I'm outtie
Somewhere chilling in Maui, swimming with the scuba fishes
The fuck you doing? Bullshitting
[Verse 4]
Nigga I be splargin, I beg my pardon
Cause y'all niggas is starving looking for a bargain
Gone and roll that weed yea I think it's time to spark it
Cause I be running through them trees niggas call me Tarzan
What you think? We won't stop! Gone stop? Silly ho
I'm living out my dreams, don't you dare hit that alarm clock
I'm laid up with your girlfriend You knocking like what u doing nigga?
The fuck you doing? Bullshitting
[Outro]
I hit you with an AMC, my nigga that's a full clip
And you could be like me if you just quit with all the bullshit
The opening hook of Tonéx's song, "Ain't," is a celebration of his life's achievements. With a catchy chorus of "I said that shit again, I said it once before, I just, I just, I just, I just want it all," he is living his best life and is confident in his success. Tonéx is the kind of person who enjoys the finer things in life, "glistening and shining" with his "fine model chick, big behind." His life has all the makings of a James Bond movie, particularly with the reference to the famous agent, "Mr. Bond."
The song's verses are about living life to the fullest and not wasting time on trivial things. In verse one, Tonéx is celebrating his success while enjoying a night out with his friends. He is a big shot, and people take notice when he walks into a room. He orders the best drinks and enjoys the company of women, particularly a lady with a "long dick." The chorus is repeated, affirming his love of the good life.
In verse two, Tonéx is back home, enjoying his downtime with his friends. He is chilling and smoking weed while planning his next moves. He is living out his dreams, and nothing can stop him. He is his own boss, and he can enjoy life as he sees fit. By verse three, Tonéx is traveling the world and enjoying every moment. He has no time for anything that doesn't contribute to his happiness, including those who don't believe in him. Tonéx is living his life to the fullest, and he wants to be surrounded by those who support him.
Line by Line Meaning
I say that shit again, I said it once before
I'm reiterating what I've already said before
I just, I just, I just, I just want it all
All I want is to have everything
I glisten and shine with misses' fine model chick, big behind
I dazzle and shine with an attractive model woman who has a big butt
Bad enough to skip the line but to me she just a nine
She's attractive enough to cut the line, but to me she's only a 9 out of 10
I hop up out that double-0 you can call me Mr. Bond
I have a cool exit from my car, like James Bond
Bitch I am a monster, I belong in District 9
I am an impressive force that could fit in with the aliens from the movie District 9
Catch me in my office, office, doing business
You might find me in my workplace, conducting business
Fuck you doing, bullshitting
What are you doing, wasting time?
I get all the eyes when I step inside and
I attract a lot of attention when I enter a room
They all arise when I am arrivin'
People stand up or show respect when I arrive
Bring out the Rose, Nuvo, Ciroc and
Bring out the prestigious alcoholic beverages
Bring out the OJ like Johnny Cochran
Bring out the orange juice, like the famous attorney Johnny Cochran
I guess they on son, cause my neck look like horizon
People are onto me, since my neck looks like a sunset
Just a million people behind me and I don't have Verizon
I have a large following of people, even though I don't have a popular phone carrier
Man I'm chillin with my niggas nigga, and a couple cool bitches
I'm hanging out with my friends, including some desirable women
Me and my niggas say it ain't Ton
My friends and I deny that I am Tonéx
Hundred pretty girlies singing our song
Many attractive women are singing along to our music
Yeah I kick my feet up you can't say that I ain't home
I'm relaxing at home, with my feet up
And I be blowing on that reefer you can't say that it ain't strong and
I'm smoking potent marijuana, which you can't deny
She just, she just, she just, she just want a long dick
She only desires a well-endowed man
I put it in her mouth and now that bitch look like a conehead
I had oral sex with her and now her head looks pointy
When I'm done go ahead, what the fuck this is
When I'm finished, go ahead and ask what just happened
I hear, I hear, I hear man but that shit just don't compare
I've heard what you said, but it doesn't compare to my experiences
I tell you you the best, when I'm looking in the mirror
I hype myself up to be the best, when I see myself in the mirror
By the time y'all over here, I'm prolly over there
By the time you catch up to me, I'll already be somewhere else
And by the time you riding what I'm riding on I'm in the air
When you finally get what I have, I'll already be ahead of you
No wonder why my mind is so cloudy, I'm drowsy
It's no surprise my mind is unfocused, since I'm tired
My frequent flier miles is in the thousies I'm outtie
I have many miles from flying, and I'm ready to leave
Somewhere chilling in Maui, swimming with the scuba fishes
I'm relaxing in Hawaii, and swimming with underwater animals
Nigga I be splargin, I beg my pardon
I'm acting out of control, and apologize for my behavior
Cause y'all niggas is starving looking for a bargain
You guys are desperate for a deal
Gone and roll that weed yea I think it's time to spark it
It's time to smoke marijuana, so roll it up
Cause I be running through them trees niggas call me Tarzan
I run quickly through trees, like the fictional character Tarzan
What you think? We won't stop! Gone stop? Silly ho
You don't believe we'll quit? That's foolish
I'm living out my dreams, don't you dare hit that alarm clock
I'm pursuing my goals, so don't wake me up early
I'm laid up with your girlfriend You knocking like what u doing nigga?
I'm spending time with your girlfriend, and you're asking what I'm doing?
The fuck you doing? Bullshitting
What are you doing, wasting time?
I hit you with an AMC, my nigga that's a full clip
I'll shoot you with an entire clip of bullets
And you could be like me if you just quit with all the bullshit
You could achieve the same success as me, if you stop wasting time
Contributed by Emma D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
Still waiting on the next...