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.
Cry No More
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wondering if there will ever be a break or rest
But I know I that I am going to see you again
In the new Jerusalem...(I don't have to crrryyy)
I don't have to cry no more
cus I know that you knockin on heaven's door
I don't have to cry no more
I don't have to cry no more
cus I know that you knockin on heaven's door
I don't have to cry no more
heaven got so much for your in store
Satin pillows drenched by burden tears
Anxiety of whats to come and natural fears
The fear is not of God and he is given unto me
Power, through love and some mind
I don't have to cry no more
cus I know that you knockin on heaven's door
I don't have to cry no more
heaven got so much for your in store
I don't have to cry no more
cus I know that you knockin on heaven's door
I don't have to cry no more
heaven got so much for your in store
Some of you may have lost somebody
Some of you may be experiencing pain
But I'm here to encourage you that a brighter day is comin'
God understand the language of tears,
He knows all about your pains and fears
I know it hurts you so go head and cry
But in the Morning God is going to wipe your weeping eyes
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Don't have to cry no more
If you believe it with me wave your hands in the air (wave your hands in the air)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Don't have to cry no more
(Oh you don't have to cry no more)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Don't have to cry no more
(You don't have to cry no more, God is gonna wipe those weeping eyes)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Don't have to cry no more
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Say Yeeeahh (Yeeeaahh)
Don't have to cry no more
Tonéx's song "Cry No More" is a comforting song that encourages listeners to find solace in the Lord while mourning the loss of a loved one. The song has a repetitive chorus that reassures listeners that they no longer have to cry over their departed loved ones because they are in a better place. The first verse talks about the pain of losing someone and hoping for a break or rest but still believing in seeing them again in the new Jerusalem. The second verse talks about the burden of tears and anxiety that comes with the loss of a loved one but encourages listeners to find strength in God and the power of love to overcome the fear and pain.
The song's tone is meant to provide comfort and hope to those mourning a loved one's loss. Tonéx uses repetition to drive home the message of the chorus that in heaven, there is so much in store, and listeners should not dwell on the loss but instead focus on the hope of reuniting with their loved one.
In conclusion, Tonéx's song "Cry No More" is a song of hope and reassurance to anyone who has lost a loved one. It inspires the listener to cry out their pain to God but also believe in his love and strength to overcome the pain of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking how you're gone and we're still left
Reflecting on the departure of a loved one and the emptiness that remains
Wondering if there will ever be a break or rest
Questioning whether the pain and sorrow of the loss will ever subside
But I know I that I am going to see you again
Finding comfort in the belief that they will be reunited with their loved one in the afterlife
In the new Jerusalem...(I don't have to crrryyy)
Referring to the concept of the afterlife and the eternal peace that awaits them, thus there is no need to cry
I don't have to cry no more
Expressing faith that their loved one is in a better place and there is no need to continue grieving
cus I know that you knockin on heaven's door
Believing that their loved one is on the brink of entering heaven
heaven got so much for your in store
Expressing confidence in the idea that the afterlife holds many great things for their loved one
Satin pillows drenched by burden tears
Describing the state of their emotional turmoil, resulting in tears soaking the covers of their bed
Anxiety of whats to come and natural fears
Stressing about the future and the unknown that comes with it, which is a natural response to loss
The fear is not of God and he is given unto me
Reminding themselves that fear is not part of God's plan and they have been given the power to overcome it
Power, through love and some mind
Feeling empowered through love and the strength of their own mind to overcome their grief
Some of you may have lost somebody
Acknowledging that others may be going through the same pain and loss
Some of you may be experiencing pain
Recognizing that pain is a universal experience and empathizing with those who may be hurting
But I'm here to encourage you that a brighter day is comin'
Offering hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and better days lie ahead
God understand the language of tears,
Believing that God understands the emotional depth and pain that come with tears
He knows all about your pains and fears
Trust in the idea that God knows and understands the depth of their pain and fears
I know it hurts you so go head and cry
Validating the listener's emotions and encouraging them to express and process their grief through crying
But in the Morning God is going to wipe your weeping eyes
Offering hope and assurance that through God, their pain and tears will be wiped away
If you believe it with me wave your hands in the air (wave your hands in the air)
Inviting the listener to join them in faith and hope by showing physical expression
(Oh you don't have to cry no more)
Repeated reminder that there is no more need to continue grieving
Contributed by Joshua V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
Still waiting on the next...