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.
Pass Me By
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See the folks surrounding You calling out Your name
Jesus Jesus help save me sure I sound the same
Heard about Your miracles quiet as they kept
Lord, I plan to follow in Your steps right left
I know You gotta lotta rounds to make
I know Your time's too valuable to waste
I'm in need from a touch from You
Chorus
Please oh please don't pass me by
Lord, I need You I want a blessing
While You're helpin' out these other folks
Don't forget about me Savior Savior Savior
Please, don't pass me by
Verse 2
Lord, I can't deny that You're the only help I know
While You're passing out Your blessings don't forget me yo
Can't contain it Lord I gotta let my feelings show
Without Your help I'm out this game, oh
And I know (3x) You gotta lotta rounds to make
And I know (3x) Your time's too valuable to waste
I'm in need (3x) from a touch from You
I gotta have it Lord I just can't wait
Chorus
In this song, Tonex talks about being in need of the help of Jesus. He describes a scenario where he sees a crowd of people surrounding Jesus and calling out his name for help. Tonex admits that he has heard of the miracles that Jesus has performed and he plans to follow in his steps, right and left. He acknowledges that Jesus has a lot of people to attend to and his time is valuable. Nevertheless, Tonex pleads with Jesus not to pass him by when he comes around. He knows he needs a touch from Jesus and he can't wait to receive it.
The song is a plea for help from a person in need of divine intervention. Tonex is aware of the power of Jesus and he believes that he can receive a miracle just by being touched by him. The chorus of the song reiterates the message of the verse, calling on Jesus not to pass him by while helping others. The song is a reminder that Jesus hears the cries of his people, and no matter how many are calling out to him for help, he will not pass by the one who needs him.
Line by Line Meaning
See the folks surrounding You calling out Your name
As You walk by, many people are calling out to You for help.
Jesus Jesus help save me sure I sound the same
I too am calling out to You for salvation, just like everyone else.
Heard about Your miracles quiet as they kept
I've heard about the amazing things You are capable of, even though they aren't always talked about openly.
Lord, I plan to follow in Your steps right left
I intend to model my life after You, trying to emulate Your actions and decisions.
I know You gotta lotta rounds to make
I understand that You are very busy and have many tasks to complete.
I know Your time's too valuable to waste
I understand that You have limited time and don't want to waste it on things that aren't important.
I'm in need from a touch from You
I desperately need Your help and assistance.
I gotta have it Lord I just can't wait
I am eager to receive Your help and cannot wait any longer.
Please oh please don't pass me by
I am begging You not to overlook me and my needs.
Lord, I need You I want a blessing
I require Your presence and a positive outcome in my life.
While You're helpin' out these other folks
I realize that You are assisting many other people.
Don't forget about me Savior Savior Savior
Please remember me and my need for Your help.
Lord, I can't deny that You're the only help I know
I acknowledge that You are the only one who can truly help me.
While You're passing out Your blessings don't forget me yo
Please do not forget about me while You distribute Your gifts and blessings to others.
Can't contain it Lord I gotta let my feelings show
I am overwhelmed by my emotions and cannot keep them inside.
Without Your help I'm out this game, oh
If You do not help me, I am in a hopeless situation.
And I know (3x) You gotta lotta rounds to make
I am aware that You have many tasks and commitments to attend to.
And I know (3x) Your time's too valuable to waste
I understand that Your time is precious and should not be wasted.
I'm in need (3x) from a touch from You
I desperately require Your help and guidance.
I gotta have it Lord I just can't wait
I am impatient and cannot wait any longer for Your assistance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ANTHONY C. II WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
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