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.
The 1 U Need
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sick of the lies
I'm sick of the games
I'm sick of the pain
All I need is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
I'm sick of the flesh
can't handle the flesh
All I need is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
[2x]
[Jaz]
Who I need as I plead the blood of Christ on my life
So open up your eyes, realize, hear the cries, no demize
Devil, even wickedness don't try lies
My life, here placed in God's hands I stand
I'm never gonna trip, don't devil stick, on the jes tip tip, we got the grip grip
So I announce pronounce the Holy Script Script
Check it, in HIM no sin my friend within
From the top drop, don't stop to rock eternity
The trinity, infinity, all I need Romans 8 3 9
Its time to find the line and read
No height not depth no light no death
Til my very last breath, God's love still left
I pass that test, give God my best til I find HIS rest
Yes
ain't nobody gonna cry
ain't nobody gonna die
Street of Gold where I reside
HE'LL wipe the tear drops from my eyes
Oh what a day, when Jesus cracks the sky
My eyes will cry no more
All my clothes be layin on the floor yo
[Chorus]
[DG Warrior]
Holy Spirit, come down fill me now, what
Pray everyday, stay strong
My wrong make it right
In my Holy rhymes, give my dad props
My self want to rise, gotta put it down
Underground, gotta drown gotta clown
Dirty flesh, already test, condemed it
Gonna buck ya down, gonna buck ya down
Break it off somethin proper
Be a devil stomper
Gotta go and follow
When I fall my LORD Jesus Christ
For life is what, when I want to do
Preach teach and raise
Preach praise and raise
Higher Higher Higher
[9x]
[DG Warrior]
Fly to the sky wit your wings spread wide
Were gonna worship God the Most High
Get on the right route, to the J side
That be Jesus, the number one
One begotten son there ever was on a cross
devil got tossed, lost, messin wit the boss
that be sittin on the throne, hittin hard to the devil's dome
Right to the soul, and flow wit the ghost
And the KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS
My savior, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Gotta put down for my LORD
[4x]
[Chorus]
[Big J]
I'm sick of all this flesh
Got me caught up in all this mess
LORD can I handle this test
Servin you the very best
Yes I gots to do what's true
Heaven or Hell what I'm gonna do
I better pick you, without you my life is through
I don't need more of me, I need more you
LORD my flesh is feelin weak
Cause the devil tryin to pin me tempt me
Hit me down, keep me down
I need you round, won't you break him on down
Tired of all this mess I'm in
Tryin to do your will, but I end in sin
Try to do right, but I end in wrong
I need your strengh to keep pressin on
Hello fellow mellow tenth flow let me get my flow, here I go
want to praise the Most High, serve you til the day that I die, I cry
Holy is the Lamb, the Great I AM, the Son of Man and I can
Grab your hand, and seek your face in a Holy place and follow your plan
Homies scold me, know me
take me take me, break me brake me, shake me shake me
reach me reach me, teach me teach me, meet me meet me
[Big J]
I can't help myself, I've done fell myself
I gotta die myself, that means no more self
All I need is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
No one else
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Tonéx's song The 1 U Need express a deep desire for a spiritual connection with Jesus as a way to overcome the struggles of the flesh. The chorus repeats the line "All I need is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" as a refrain to every verse, emphasizing the importance of faith and spirituality. The verses reflect a personal struggle with sin and temptation, and the need for God's guidance and strength to resist them. The rappers acknowledge their faults, but they also recognize that a life without God is incomplete, and that only faith can provide true fulfillment and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sick of the lies
Tired of hearing deceitful words
I'm sick of the games
Tired of dealing with manipulative behavior
I'm sick of the pain
Tired of suffering from emotional or physical distress
All I need is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus is the only solution to the struggles described in the previous lines
I'm sick of the flesh
Tired of being human and experiencing its limitations and flaws
can't handle the flesh
Unable to tolerate human desires and impulses
Live and die in the flesh
Being born and dying as a physical being
Who I need as I plead the blood of Christ on my life
Jaz is asking for Jesus' protection and salvation
So open up your eyes, realize, hear the cries, no demize
Jaz urges the listener to become aware of the spiritual reality and not ignore the cries for help
Devil, even wickedness don't try lies
Jaz warns evil not to spread falsehoods
My life, here placed in God's hands I stand
Jaz trusts God to guide his life's journey
I'm never gonna trip, don't devil stick, on the jes tip tip, we got the grip grip
Jaz will not fall for temptation, and he and Jesus have a strong connection
So I announce pronounce the Holy Script Script
Jaz declares the authority of the Holy Scriptures
Check it, in HIM no sin my friend within
Jaz highlights the absence of sin in a relationship with Jesus
From the top drop, don't stop to rock eternity
Jaz encourages to persevere and aim for eternal life
The trinity, infinity, all I need Romans 8 3 9
Jaz's faith in the Trinity and his belief in Romans 8:3-9 is sufficient for him
Its time to find the line and read
Jaz encourages the listener to find and read the Bible to understand the line between good and evil
No height not depth no light no death
Jaz believes nothing can separate him from God's love
Til my very last breath, God's love still left
Jaz believes that God's love remains with him forever
I pass that test, give God my best til I find HIS rest
Jaz aims to please God and find rest in Him
ain't nobody gonna cry
There will be no more tears
ain't nobody gonna die
There will be no more death
Street of Gold where I reside
Heavenly dwelling in streets paved with gold
HE'LL wipe the tear drops from my eyes
God will comfort and wipe away all tears
Oh what a day, when Jesus cracks the sky
The anticipated day when Jesus returns
My eyes will cry no more
There will be no more mourning
All my clothes be layin on the floor yo
Clothed in righteousness and leaving worldly possessions behind
Holy Spirit, come down fill me now, what
Asking for the Holy Spirit to fill and empower him
Pray everyday, stay strong
Encouraging the listener to pray daily for spiritual strength
My wrong make it right
Asking for forgiveness and a change of heart
In my Holy rhymes, give my dad props
Honoring God with his music
My self want to rise, gotta put it down
Denying self to exalt God
Underground, gotta drown gotta clown
Rejecting worldly pleasures and living a humble life
Dirty flesh, already test, condemed it
Acknowledging human nature's sinful state
Gonna buck ya down, gonna buck ya down
Fighting against evil and temptation
Break it off somethin proper
Succeeding in doing the right thing
Be a devil stomper
Defeating evil and living righteously
Gotta go and follow
Following Jesus' footsteps
When I fall my LORD Jesus Christ
Acknowledging God as his salvation
For life is what, when I want to do
Life's meaning is found in doing what God wants
Preach teach and raise
Spreading the good news and nurturing others
Higher Higher Higher
Praising God with fervor
Fly to the sky wit your wings spread wide
Rejoicing in the freedom found in Christ
Were gonna worship God the Most High
Worshipping the sovereign God
Get on the right route, to the J side
Following Jesus' path to salvation
That be Jesus, the number one
Jesus is the ultimate guide and leader
One begotten son there ever was on a cross
Highlighting the uniqueness of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross
devil got tossed, lost, messin wit the boss
Satan was defeated and overpowered by God
that be sittin on the throne, hittin hard to the devil's dome
God is reigning and defeating evil
Right to the soul, and flow wit the ghost
Experiencing the Holy Spirit's power in the soul
And the KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS
Acknowledging God's ultimate authority
My savior, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus is his personal savior
I can't help myself, I've done fell myself
Acknowledging his inability to overcome sin
I gotta die myself, that means no more self
Denying self in order to follow Christ
All I need is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus is his only hope for salvation
No one else
No other solution or person can provide salvation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
Still waiting on the next...