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.
Personal Jesus -
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, well, well, well
Mm
You are my personal Jesus
Without you where would I be?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
If I must talk to the father
Ohhh
I don’t know why you love me
Uh huh
In spite of what I do
Hey, hey
You’re always thinking of me
Uh huh
I’ll always think of you
Uh
So glad I know you (know you)
And I know of you
'Cause he’s a friend of mine
I talk to you all the time
So glad I know you
No one above you
He always been by my side
And you’re my personal, personal Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You’re my personal Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You’re my personal Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You’re my personal Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Personal
You are my personal
You are my personal Jesus
(hey)
I love you more and more
(more and more)
If ever there is a problem (if ever there is a problem)
You always open the door
(i don’t know why) I don’t know why
(you love me) you love me
(in spite of what I do ohhhh) in spite of what I do
(you’re always thinking of me) you’re always thinking of me
Huh oh, oh, oh
(i’ll always think of you) i’ll always think of you
(so, so, so glad I know you) so glad I know you
(and I know of you) and I know of you
‘'Cause he’s a friend of mine (he’s a friend of mine)
I talk to you all the time (talk to you all the time)
So glad I know you (so glad i know ya)
No one above you (no one above ya)
You’ve always been by my side (hey, hey, hey)
And you're my (hey, hey, hey) personal, personal Jesus
(so glad I know you Jesus)
And I know of you
'Cause he’s a friend of mine
I talk to you all the time (i talk to you)
So glad I know you (so glad)
No one above you (oh)
You've always been by my side (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah personal)
And you’re my personal, personal Jesus (Jesus)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You’re my personal Jesus
Oh, oh, oh
How much you want
I don’t know why
Why you love me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause you’re my personal Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hey
Hey, hey
You are my personal
(I can call on you, you’re my personal Jesus)
Hey, hey
You are my personal
(Late in the midnight hour I can call on you yes I can)
Hey, hey
You are my personal
(you’re my personal)
Hey, hey
You are my personal
You’re my personal Jesus
The lyrics to Tonéx's song "Personal Jesus" appear to be a declaration of deep, personal faith and reverence towards God. The title itself, "Personal Jesus," suggests a relationship with a higher power that is deeply intimate and personal, which is reinforced throughout the lyrics. Tonéx sings about his dependence on God, referring to Him as his "personal Jesus" and expressing gratitude for always being by his side. The lyrics also touch on themes of redemption and forgiveness, as Tonéx acknowledges his own imperfections but still feels loved and accepted by God. The phrase "if I must talk to the father, then I must go through thee" suggests that Tonéx sees God as an intermediary between himself and God the Father.
Additionally, there is a repetition of the phrase "I talk to you all the time," which further emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of Tonéx's relationship with God. The verses that begin with "I don't know why you love me" and continue with "in spite of what I do" suggest feelings of unworthiness on Tonéx's part, but the chorus reinforces the idea that God's love is unconditional and always available to him.
Overall, "Personal Jesus" is a powerful declaration of faith and an expression of the deep, personal relationship that Tonéx has with God.
Line by Line Meaning
You are my personal Jesus
You are my savior and guide. Without you, I would be lost.
Without you where would I be?
Without you, I would not have a sense of purpose.
If I must talk to the father
Then I must go through thee
You are the intermediary between me and God.
I don’t know why you love me
I am not worthy of your love.
In spite of what I do
You’re always thinking of me
Despite my flaws and mistakes, you continue to care about me.
I’ll always think of you
You are always on my mind.
So glad I know you
And I know of you
'Cause he’s a friend of mine
I talk to you all the time
I am grateful to have you in my life and to have a personal relationship with you as the friend of God. I talk to you often.
No one above you
He always been by my side
You are the highest and most important being in my life. You have always been there for me.
You’re my personal, personal Jesus
You are my personal savior and are of utmost importance to me.
If ever there is a problem
You always open the door
You are always there to help me and provide guidance when I am in trouble.
I love you more and more
My love for you continues to grow stronger.
‘Cause he’s a friend of mine
I talk to you all the time
I know about you through my relationship with God.
You’ve always been by my side
You have always been there for me and supported me through thick and thin.
How much you want
I don’t know why
Why you love me
'Cause you’re my personal Jesus
I don't understand the depth of your love for me, but I am grateful that you are my personal savior.
I can call on you, you’re my personal Jesus
Late in the midnight hour I can call on you yes I can
I know I can rely on you no matter what time of day it is.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management
Written by: AL GREEN, MABON HODGES, ANTHONY C. II WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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