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.
Fail U
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down and out, but at least I?m breathin?
Ohooohhhh
No one ever told me that this world would be easy.
Don?t believe He got me this far just to leave me.
The devil is a liar and I won?t let him deceive me.
If I put my trust in Jesus, sure He?ll make it all right.
He said it.
I believe it.
And I?m telling you, there ain?t no failure!
He, He, He, won?t fail ya, [whoo!]
He, He, He, won?t fail ya, [whoo!]
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
Cold and lonely, but at least I got me
Isolated, but it ain?t gon? stop me
Ohhhhhhhh
[No one ever told me that this world would be easy]
Don?t believe He got me this far just to leave me.
The devil is a liar and I won?t let him deceive me.
If I put my trust in Jesus, sure He?ll make it all right.
He?ll make it all right, in the middle of the night.
He said it.
I believe it.
And there is no failure!
He, He, He, won?t fail ya, [whoo!]
He, He, He, won?t fail ya, [whoo!]
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
[There is no failure]
He, He, He, won?t fail ya
[There is no failure]
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t FAIL U
Fail u
Fail u
Fail u
(Ohhhh, OW!!)
[That?s right]
1, 2, 3, c?mon!
This one?s for Sac-Town!
No one ever told me that this world would be easy.
Don?t believe He got me this far just to leave me.
The devil is a liar and I won?t let him deceive me.
If I put my trust in Jesus, sure He?ll make it all-
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
He, He, He, won?t fail ya,
Jesus won?t fail u
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t fail u
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t fail u
(Won?t fail u)
He won?t, Jesus won?t fail u
[2x]
Fail u
Fail u
Fail u
The lyrics to Tonéx's song "Fail U" speak to the struggles and challenges of life, but also to the power of faith in overcoming them. The singer acknowledges his experiences of being down and out, but emphasizes that he is still moving and breathing, which indicates that he is alive and fighting. He then asserts that no one ever told him that the world would be easy, but he believes that Jesus has brought him this far and will not abandon him. The lyrics also suggest that the devil tries to deceive people with lies about failure, but by trusting in Jesus, one can overcome any obstacles.
Tonéx's repeated emphasis on the promise that Jesus won't fail the listener is a powerful statement of faith that provides hope and encouragement to those going through hard times. The message of the song is one of resilience and determination to overcome adversity, no matter how difficult it may seem. The song also celebrates the power of community and camaraderie, as evidenced by the shoutouts to Sacramento (Sac-Town) and the call-and-response structure of the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been down, but at least I'm movin'
Though I may have felt low or defeated in the past, I am still progressing and making strides towards my goals.
Down and out, but at least I'm breathin'
Even when I'm feeling my lowest, I am grateful for the gift of life and the ability to keep going.
No one ever told me that this world would be easy.
I understand that life is not going to be free of challenges or difficulties, and I am prepared to face them head-on.
Don't believe He got me this far just to leave me.
I have faith in a higher power that has brought me this far in life and will continue to guide me through all of life's ups and downs.
The devil is a liar and I won't let him deceive me.
I recognize that negative thoughts and influences can come from the world and other people, but I am committed to staying true to my values and not letting them sway me.
If I put my trust in Jesus, sure He'll make it all right.
I believe that by placing my trust in a higher power (Jesus), everything will work out in the end and I will find peace and happiness.
He'll make it all right, in the middle of the night.
I believe that even in my darkest moments, there is still hope and light that can come from placing my trust in a higher power.
And I'm telling you, there ain't no failure!
I am confident in my ability to overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes my way, and I won't let the fear of failure hold me back.
Cold and lonely, but at least I got me.
Even when I am feeling isolated or lonely, I am grateful for my own presence and inner strength that can help get me through tough times.
Isolated, but it ain't gon' stop me.
Even when external circumstances try to hold me back, I am determined to keep moving forward and working towards my goals.
He, He, He, won't fail ya, [whoo!]
I have faith that a higher power (Jesus) will never abandon or let me down, and will always be there to guide me forward.
Jesus won't FAIL U (Won't fail u)
I trust that Jesus will always be there to support and guide me, and will never abandon me.
Fail u
Despite any challenges or setbacks that may come my way, I refuse to give up or let fear of failure hold me back.
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Teresa Knight Channel
This song has gotten me through some rough times in my life. It is absolutely one of my favorite songs! Jesus won't fail you! Enough said!
sephyr2006
I like this song! His runs are crazy and his style is unique! Jesus won't fail you, amen!
rabidmonkeypro
I'm all for people expressing their opinion but I can't see how people can get so intense over a music video. The video isn't dark, Tonex isn't praising the devil. He's dancing. I directed the video and everyone in the video and who worked on the video were possibly the kindest hearted people I have ever met including Tonex. I can't believe that people can so quickly judge a person because he's wearing a dog collar or because he can actually dance
moriah turner
i love Tonex.! he may have had his problems but he is still doing the work of God by spreading his message. thats all that matters.
Ebony Chambers
This brings me back to my teen years 💯💯❤️✊🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
HisWordNMotion
GO GHIA!!! That's my girl. As stated in another post, I remember when we "STEPS OF PRAISE" use to win the dance contest at the Gospel Skate parties hosted by DJ Tonex. LOL I still love me some Tonex. If you know him personally, you would understand him a little better. I agree, his testimony is POWERFUL. Praying for you brother (not just saying I will either). Sending some Jesus and 619 love your way!
C.L. Banks
I can tell you he was with us when he sang "Lord Make Me Over" even though the song is old, it still has an extraordinary impact in your soul.
Najerea
"COLD AND LONELY; BUT AT LEAST I GOT ME! ISOLATED; BUT IT AINT GON STOP ME!" THAT LYRIC REALLY RESONATED WITH MY SPIRIT ON TODAY!!! LAST NIGHT I FOUND MYSELF LONGING FOR A MAN TO HOLD ME AND SQUEEZE ME TIGHT BUT "HE'LL MAKE IT ALRIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!" JESUS WON'T FAIL ME!!! THERE IS NO FAILURE!!! THERE IS NO FAILURE!!🙌🙌🙌! I'M TRUSTING HIM FOR AN INCREDIBLE LOVE IN MY LIFE! 🙏💃🙌💃🙌💃🙌🙏💕🎶💕🎶💕🎶💯
jimmy mor
Best gospel video i've ever seen. ALOT of people find it hard to make gospel music appealing to younger crowds but this is great. Good job!
sminno
I LUV THIS SONG & VID!!!! 1 of my fave songs from Tonex. He's changing the way we spread the message of God He's UPGRADING IT!!!!! Every generation is different why do we keep forgeting that?. Tonex see that and is using his gift to the fullest . KEEP YOUR HEAD UP T!!!!!!!