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.
Bring It
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step up 2 the plate and (bring it, bring it)
Only for the serious ones (bring it, bring it)
If you not ashamed then (bring it, bring it)
Ladies if you think you can hang (bring it, bring it)
Lace up gentlemen bringing it man to man
But you better make sure you can (bring it, bring it)
You better make sure you can (bring it, bring it)
So you wanna battle?
I brought the war
So you calling me out
Well then let′s even up the score
I been locked up in the woodshed
So you knowin' that I′m gully with it
Telling all you rooty poots bye bye
Not intimidated, homie, but nice try
Don't mean to be rude
But I think you jumped the gun
Cuz we're not the two
And baby I′m not the one
But I promise you baby
If you wanna have some fun
I can show you how to get it done
Lace up, face up, watch the beat go
Walla walla bing bang
Who got the juice? (Not you, not you)
Who brought the crew? (Not you, not you)
Hachoo! Bless you! Better grab a tissue
On the charts, we′re gonna miss you
And you can run your mouth if you wanna
You can talk that trash if you wanna
Telling all you rooty poots bye bye
Nope, I'm not intimidated, homie
But nice try... lace up!
Blazin′ up the place (that would be me)
Picking up your face (Who? Us? We'll see)
But I know... one thing gimme 20 seconds in the ring
And the bell will go ding ding ding
Down in Chattanooga they be dancin′ like what?
And out in California they be krumpin' like what?
East coast, what? Dirty south, what?
Chi town gets down 2 steppin′ like what?
I come to clap my hands
I come to do my dance
I came to rip it up
You don't really wanna battle me
You better bring an army, sho' nuff!
The song "Bring it" by Tonex is an upbeat, confident, and motivating tune that encourages listeners to bring their best and face challenges head-on. The first verse urges the listener, "If you really want it, come (bring it, bring it)/Step up 2 the plate and (bring it, bring it)." Tonex sets the bar high when he says that the battle is "Only for the serious ones," meaning that a half-hearted effort will not cut it. The song is not just for men, but women are also invited to the dance floor, "Ladies if you think you can hang (bring it, bring it)." Tonex emphasizes that any challenge should be settled with respect and sportsmanship, "Lace up gentlemen bringing it man to man/But you better make sure you can (bring it, bring it)."
The second verse makes the battle more intense, "So you wanna battle?/I brought the war." Tonex is not afraid to face any challenger and lets them know, "Not intimidated, homie, but nice try." He is committed to the competition and challenges the opponent to rise to his level of intensity, "Lace up, face up, watch the beat go/Walla walla bing bang." The third verse adds to the intensity, "Who brought the crew? (Not you, not you)/Hachoo! Bless you! Better grab a tissue." Tonex is not just challenging one person but their entire crew if they dare to face him. He confidently states that he will come out victorious, "I came to rip it up/You don't really wanna battle me/You better bring an army sho' nuff!"
In conclusion, the song "Bring it" is a fantastic motivator to encourage listeners to step up to any challenge and give it their all. Tonex sets the bar high and shows his confidence and determination to succeed, all while promoting respect and sportsmanship during any competition.
Line by Line Meaning
If you really want it, come (bring it, bring it)
If you truly desire a challenge, then step forward wholeheartedly (with all your might)
Step up 2 the plate and (bring it, bring it)
Come forth, approach me (the formidable competitor) fearlessly and face your profound fear of defeat
Only for the serious ones (bring it, bring it)
This is an invitation is exclusively for those with sincere intentions and unparalleled determination
If you not ashamed then (bring it, bring it)
Only participate if you are confident in your abilities and have nothing to be ashamed of
Ladies if you think you can hang (bring it, bring it)
Female opponents who want to engage in the battle should also bring their best skills to test
Lace up gentlemen bringing it man to man
Men must have a strong spirit of sportsmanship, and put on their fighting shoes for a fair battle
But you better make sure you can (bring it, bring it)
You better come prepared and confident in your abilities before stepping into the arena
You better make sure you can (bring it, bring it)
Make sure you are not underestimating the difficult challenge that is ahead before starting the competition
So you wanna battle?
Are you up for a challenge?
I brought the war
I am armed and ready to win this competition
So you calling me out
You are challenging me and calling me to fight
Well then let's even up the score
Let's compete fairly and settle the score
I been locked up in the woodshed
I have been preparing and training hard for this battle in isolation
So you knowin' that I'm gully with it
You should know that I am tough and fearless in this competition
Telling all you rooty poots bye bye
Be prepared to face defeat and say goodbye to your pride before fighting against me
Not intimidated, homie, but nice try
You cannot intimidate me no matter how hard you try
Don't mean to be rude
I do not intend to be disrespectful
But I think you jumped the gun
You have overestimated your readiness for this competition
Cuz we're not the two
Your expectations and assumptions about our competition were wrong
And baby I'm not the one
You cannot win against me in this competition
But I promise you baby
I assure you that
If you wanna have some fun
If you want to experience a good challenge
I can show you how to get it done
I know what it takes to win and how to succeed in this competition
Lace up, face up, watch the beat go
Get ready and be prepared for the epic competition that's about to take place
Walla walla bing bang
Indescribable sounds like those of a victorious drummer
Who got the juice? (Not you, not you)
Who is really ready for the competition and has what it takes to win? Definitely not you
Who brought the crew? (Not you, not you)
Who can assemble the most capable team of fighters? Obviously, it is not you
Hachoo! Bless you! Better grab a tissue
The competition is so intense, you may need to wipe away your tears
On the charts, we're gonna miss you
After the whole competition, your name will not appear on the winners' list
And you can run your mouth if you wanna
Say whatever you want if that helps you feel better
You can talk that trash if you wanna
You can brag about your abilities even if you don't have anything to prove
Nope, I'm not intimidated, homie
No, you have not made me feel scared or threatened, my friend
But nice try... lace up!
You made a great attempt to intimidate me, but it didn't work. Join up and get ready
Blazin' up the place (that would be me)
I am lighting the arena on fire with my competence and skills
Picking up your face (Who? Us? We'll see)
You will feel defeated and demoralized by my exceptional performance in the competition
But I know... one thing gimme 20 seconds in the ring
Just give me twenty seconds, and I will prove to you that I am unbeatable
And the bell will go ding ding ding
After my quick win, the bell will just keep ringing repeatedly
Down in Chattanooga they be dancin' like what?
I am going to win this one hands down against even the best fighters from beautiful Chattanooga
And out in California they be krumpin' like what?
I'm coming for you as well, toughest competitors out in California dancing to the krump music.
East coast, what? Dirty south, what?
I am invincible and can beat even the strongest fighters from the East coast or the marginal areas of the Deep South
Chi town gets down 2 steppin' like what?
I am ready to take over the game by competing against the most talented two step dancers from Chicago.
I come to clap my hands
I came well prepared to show my sportsmanship even after a loss
I come to do my dance
After winning this competition, I am going to show you some celebratory dance moves
I came to rip it up
I came well-prepared to take over the arena and leave my competitors torn apart
You don't really wanna battle me
You should beware of what awaits you in the competition
You better bring an army, sho' nuff!
To defeat me in this fierce competition, you will need to bring your very best squad.
Writer(s): A. Brown, A. Williams
Contributed by Alexis P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@beverlypurvis5960
2024 strong who’s listening? We all need to be made over, IN THE NAME OF JESUS! 🙏🏽.. I’m ready for change LORD! 😭🙏🏽🙌🏽❤️🙏🏽
@rhanna5188
The older I've gotten, the more this song makes sense...
😅
@bodeolugbore206
I pray for Tonex back on stage. I miss him. May the Lord help him, and quickly too.
@pocko6314
This young man is uniquely anointed! I do not cease to make intercession for him whenever the Spirit lead. The Body of Christ need this gift
@bloxsecond
Love this song it's so uplifting.
@randybadthomas
He is not anointed y’all say anything about someone who can sing very good
@pocko6314
@randybadthomas That's not true. We have many great singers, but not all are anointed! Whitney Houston was anointed. Sadly, both fell from grace. But, I'm praying for Tone'x, it's not too late! There's an anointing of deliverance on his voice.
@cassandrawhitehaire2304
@Pocko totally agree! Yessss we fall from grace But God is the one to pick us up!
@garyhines9880
@randybadthomas facts nigga is gay how’s he anointed? Cuz he can sing? Fake religious people are the worst
@beverlydavis4435
I’m not giving up on Tonex God is always in the healing business