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.
Cool With U
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Check me out y'all
Nasty Nas in your area
About to cause mass hysteria
[Verse 1]
Before I blunt, I take out my fronts
Then I start to front; matter of fact, I be on a manhunt
That's like Malcolm X catching the Jungle Fever
King poetic. Too much flavor, I'm major
Atlanta ain't Brave-r, I'll pull a number like a pager
Cause I'm an ace when I face the bass
40-side is the place that is giving me grace
Now wait, another dose and you might be dead
And I'm a Nike-head, I wear chains that excite the Feds
And ain't a damn thing gonna change
I'mma performer strange, so the mic warmer was born to gain
Nas, why did you do it
You know you got the mad fat fluid when you rhyme, it's halftime
[Hook]
It's halftime
This is how it feel, check it out, how it feel
[Verse 2]
It's like that, you know it's like that
I got it hemmed, now you never get the mic back
When I attack, there ain't an army that could strike back
So I react never calmly on a hype track
I set it off with my own rhyme
Cause I'm as ill as a convict who kills for phone time
I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
In your stereo sets, Nas'll catch wreck
I used to hustle; now all I do is relax and strive
When I was young I was a fan of the Jackson 5
I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it
With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach
Nasty Nas has to rise cause I'm wise
This is exercise 'til the microphone dies
Back in '83 I was an MC sparkin'
But I was too scared to grab the mics in the parks and
Kick my little raps cause I thought niggas wouldn't understand
And now in every jam I'm the fuckin' man
I rap in front of more niggas than in the slave ships
I used to watch "CHiPs", now I load Glock clips
I got to have it, I miss Mr. Magic
Versatile, my style switches like a faggot
But not bisexual, I'm an intellectual
Of rap I'm a professional and that's no question, yo
These are the lyrics of the man, you can't near it, understand?
Cause in the streets, I'm well-known like the number man
Am I in place with the bass and format
Explore rap and tell me "Nas ain't all that"
And next time I rhyme, I be foul
Whenever I freestyle I see trial, niggas say I'm wild
I hate a rhyme-biter's rhyme
Stay tuned, Nas soon - the real rap comes at halftime
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
I got it going on, even flip a morning song
Every afternoon, I kick half the tune
And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the NARC's hit
Word to Marcus Garvey: I hardly sparked it
Cause when I blast the herb, that's my word
I be slayin' them fast, doing this that and the third
But chill, pass the Andre, and let's slay
I bag bitches up at John Jay, and hit a matinee
Putting hits on 5-0
Cause when it's my time to go, I wait for God with the .44
And biters can't come near
And yo, go to hell to the foul cop who shot Garcia
I won't plant seeds, don't need an extra mouth I can't feed
That's extra Phillie change, more cash for damp weed
This goes out to Manhattan, the island of Staten
Brooklyn and Queens is living fat and
The Boogie Down, enough props, enough clout
Ill Will, rest in peace, yo, I'm out
The song "Halftime" by Nasty Nas is about his rise to fame in the rap industry. He starts the song by saying that he's about to cause mass hysteria and then goes on to talk about how he's an expert in the game of rhyming. Nas says that he can't be caught without his weed like Malcolm X can't catch jungle fever. He talks about how he's too much flavor, too major for Atlanta, and that he'll pull numbers like a pager. He uses the metaphor that he's an ace when he faces the bass and that the 40-side is giving him grace. He then tells his audience that he's born to gain and that he knows he's got the mad fat fluid when he rhymes.
In verse 2, Nas talks about his own rhyme and how he won't give the mic back once he's got it. He says that he's the one attacking and there's no army that can strike back. He's ill as a convict who kills phone time and his flow is max like cassettes and he flexes like sex. Nas reminisces the past when he used to hustle but now all he does is relax and strive. He used to be a fan of the Jackson 5 and he raps in front of more people than slaves in the slave ships. He's versatile in his style and you can't question his professionalism in rap. He ends the song urging people to stay tuned for when the real rap comes at halftime.
Overall, "Halftime" is about Nas' love for rap and his journey to become one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Before I blunt, I take out my fronts
Before I smoke weed, I remove my fake teeth
Then I start to front; matter of fact, I be on a manhunt
I act tough and look for trouble
You couldn't catch me in the streets without a ton of reefer
I always have a lot of weed with me
That's like Malcolm X catching the Jungle Fever
It's unexpected and unusual
King poetic. Too much flavor, I'm major
I'm a great rapper with a lot of style
Atlanta ain't Brave-r, I'll pull a number like a pager
I can get what I want easily
Cause I'm an ace when I face the bass
I'm great at rapping to a beat
40-side is the place that is giving me grace
My neighborhood supports me and gives me strength
Now wait, another dose and you might be dead
Be careful, too much of something can harm you
And I'm a Nike-head, I wear chains that excite the Feds
I like expensive clothes and jewelry
And ain't a damn thing gonna change
I'm not going to change my ways
I'mma performer strange, so the mic warmer was born to gain
I'm a unique rapper and I was meant to be successful
Nas, why did you do it
People ask me how I became so successful as a rapper
You know you got the mad fat fluid when you rhyme, it's halftime
I know I'm a great rapper and it's clear in my music
It's like that, you know it's like that
That's just how it is, you understand?
I got it hemmed, now you never get the mic back
I'm so good at rapping that once I start, no one else can follow me
When I attack, there ain't an army that could strike back
I'm unstoppable
So I react never calmly on a hype track
I get excited and intense when rapping on an exciting beat
I used to hustle; now all I do is relax and strive
I used to sell drugs, but now I focus on making music and improving my life
I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
I'm great and I know it, like popular products
In your stereo sets, Nas'll catch wreck
My music is popular and well-loved
I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it
I share wisdom in my lyrics and like nice jewelry
With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach
I have a lot of shoes
Nasty Nas has to rise cause I'm wise
I have to succeed because I know what I'm doing
This is exercise 'til the microphone dies
I love rapping and I'll do it forever
Back in '83 I was an MC sparkin'
I starting rapping in 1983
But I was too scared to grab the mics in the parks and
I was nervous to perform
Kick my little raps cause I thought niggas wouldn't understand
I thought people wouldn't like my music because of my race
And now in every jam I'm the fuckin' man
Now I'm successful and popular
I rap in front of more niggas than in the slave ships
I have a large audience and it's like the audience slaves had
I used to watch 'CHiPs', now I load Glock clips
I used to watch a TV show, now I deal with guns
I got to have it, I miss Mr. Magic
I love making music and I miss a deceased DJ
Versatile, my style switches like a faggot
I can rap in different styles and ways
But not bisexual, I'm an intellectual
I'm not gay, I'm smart and educated
Of rap I'm a professional and that's no question, yo
I'm great at rapping and everyone knows it
These are the lyrics of the man, you can't near it, understand?
These are my raps and they're great, you get it?
Cause in the streets, I'm well-known like the number man
I'm popular in my neighborhood
Am I in place with the bass and format
Do I fit in with this beat and music style?
Explore rap and tell me 'Nas ain't all that'
Listen to my music and tell me I'm not great
And next time I rhyme, I be foul
When I freestyle, I'll use explicit language
Whenever I freestyle I see trial, niggas say I'm wild
When I improvise raps, people say I'm crazy
I hate a rhyme-biter's rhyme
I don't like when other rappers copy my style or lyrics
Stay tuned, Nas soon - the real rap comes at halftime
Watch out for my next album, it will be great
I got it going on, even flip a morning song
I'm popular and talented
Every afternoon, I kick half the tune
I make half the song popular
And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the NARC's hit
I'm tough and ruthless when I'm in the dark
Word to Marcus Garvey: I hardly sparked it
I don't start any trouble, like the social leader Marcus Garvey
Cause when I blast the herb, that's my word
When I smoke weed, I'm serious
I be slayin' them fast, doing this that and the third
I'm good at rapping and doing other things
But chill, pass the Andre, and let's slay
Relax, smoke weed with me and enjoy our time
I bag bitches up at John Jay, and hit a matinee
I get girls and go to movies
Putting hits on 5-0
I'm violent towards police officers
Cause when it's my time to go, I wait for God with the .44
I want to die with a gun and meet God
And biters can't come near
Copycats can't touch me
And yo, go to hell to the foul cop who shot Garcia
I don't like the police officer who killed Garcia
I won't plant seeds, don't need an extra mouth I can't feed
I won't have more children than I can support
That's extra Phillie change, more cash for damp weed
Extra money is good for buying more drugs
This goes out to Manhattan, the island of Staten
I'm mentioning these places in New York City
Brooklyn and Queens is living fat and
These other boroughs are doing well
The Boogie Down, enough props, enough clout
The Bronx is good and successful
Ill Will, rest in peace, yo, I'm out
I'm remembering a dead rapper and ending the song
Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rhondacurry6172
Gifts are given without repentance. I'm praying for him to return to that which he was called. This song ministers to my spirit. I love this Man of GOD and his anointing.
@kikikiki3216
Amen
@Valyonga
So badly want Tonex to return to this. To be real again, real in the Lord who still loves him unconditionally.
@tyronfuse240
Amen bro
@jayempire8845
He is still real
@wendellbell4231
This is one of my favorite songs I truly miss him on the gospel side but he's still my brother I pray that he return and make more anointed music God loves him and I do too as a brother
@Aquaman256
Better than todays gospel music...
@aliciaulmer7860
Still listening in 2021!
@amberdiva7566
I really believe he was struggling with his sexuality here. I didn't understand it as a kid, but now I understand being an adult in sin sometime it makes you feel complacent, yet confused. Its like it hurt so good. You wanna break free, but the sin just be calling you in. Im not gay but he definitely was pouring his whole heart into this. I get it
@marshawnajackson4597
i want to be real with God and live a life thats true. Its so hard with so many people consistently judging you.