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.
Unspoken
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the face of curiosity
The wise intentions rise above
A long, distorted path ahead of me
The mellowed mind attracts the dove
[Verse 1: APSTRAKT]
Tu eres la luna de mi cielo
Y se que mis mentiras causan fuegos
Lo siento
Pero hasta que te bese yo no duermo
Te espero
Eres mi veneno parce que vachement je t'aime trop
Je pense a toi chaque nuit quand je me trouve seul dans ton lit, non
Mon coeur se coupe en deux
Quand je pense a t'es oeuilles bleu
Je fait sinon penser a toi et moi sur le toit de
I remember on the first day that we me met
Now it's two years later
You're the better of the set
And usually things never go our way
All these fucking circumstances never go away
And even though we tend to yell and scratch and fight a lot
It's only 'cuz I love you and i'm never gonna stop
'Cuz i'm not
And I like to live my life with no regrets except I wish we'd met earlier you really are the best
Thing that's ever happened to me in my life
Ma princesse, pleure pas
Even though you're gone I know i'll meet you at the top
Tu me manque, ma cherie
Tu me manque, t'a peau blanc
Je peu pas te dire trop que je t'aime
Tu me manque
[Chorus 2: Jeff P.]
Wooooah- oh
Goodbye to those
Standing far beneath the sun
Another dream surpass the eyes of most
Blissful colors overrun
[Verse 2: APSTRAKT]
Tu eres la mujer de mis suenos
Sin ti mi corazon se convierte en un pedazo de hierro
Y se que mis mentiras causan fuegos
Lo siento
Pero hasta que te bese yo no duermo
Te quiero
Estoy enamorado de tu alma, tu pelo
Je comprende pas comment t'es aussi belle- oh
Yo sueno
De ti todos mis dias y mis noches
Me estoy volviendo loco solo quiero que me toquen
Unspoken
Words aren't even necessary
I look into your eyes and I see all you have to tell me
Je connais tous ton coeur meilleur que la mienne
Mais chaque fois que on fait l'amour c'est comme la premier fois again
T'es ma reine
Tambourines play as the night turns the mood
And the stars come out on a hill at Frenchwoods
And I know i've made mistakes and I know that i've been wrong
But i'm still deeply in love so I wrote you this song
[Chorus 3: Jeff P.]
Lady-ady-ay-day-day-day-day
You're my- You're my-ay-ay
Lady-ady-ay-day-day-day-day
(Repeat x10)
The song Unspoken by Tonex, featuring vocals from Jeff P. and APSTRAKT, is a beautiful blend of different languages and themes of love and regret. The chorus, sung by Jeff P., speaks of rising above curiosity and following wise intentions. The mellowed mind attracts the dove, representing peace and calmness amidst life's chaos.
APSTRAKT's verses are in Spanish, French, and English, reflecting the multicultural nature of the song. In his verses, he talks about his love for his partner and how she is the best thing that has ever happened to him. However, he also acknowledges his mistakes and regrets and wishes he had met her earlier in his life. He talks about their fights and argues that it is only because of how much he loves her and how he will never stop loving her.
The song's overall theme seems to be about love, with its highs and lows, and the hope that love will endure through all the difficulties. The mixing of different languages and cultures adds to the song's beauty and reflects the universality of emotions like love and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
In the face of curiosity
Despite the unknown, uncertain and curious circumstances that lie ahead
The wise intentions rise above
The smart and clever choices that are made in response to those circumstances can overcome them
A long, distorted path ahead of me
There is a lengthy and twisted journey ahead, with many challenges and obstacles to overcome
The mellowed mind attracts the dove
A relaxed and calm demeanor can attract peace, harmony and reconciliation
Goodbye to those
Farewell to the people who are left behind
Standing far beneath the sun
Who remain stuck in mediocrity or negativity, far removed from a brighter and optimistic future
Another dream surpass the eyes of most
Another goal or aspiration which seems unattainable to many
Blissful colors overrun
The overwhelming joy, happiness and positivity that come with success and triumph
Words aren't even necessary
There are some things that cannot be expressed through language alone
I look into your eyes and I see all you have to tell me
A deep connection and understanding between two people, where no words are needed to communicate
But i'm still deeply in love so I wrote you this song
Despite the mistakes and wrongs, the singer is still very much in love with their partner and expresses it through their music
Contributed by Nathaniel R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
Still waiting on the next...