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.
Why?
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Check me out y'all
Nasty Nas in your area
About to cause mass hysteria
[Verse 1]
Before I blunt, I take out my fronts
Then I start to front; matter of fact, I be on a manhunt
That's like Malcolm X catching the Jungle Fever
King poetic. Too much flavor, I'm major
Atlanta ain't Brave-r, I'll pull a number like a pager
Cause I'm an ace when I face the bass
40-side is the place that is giving me grace
Now wait, another dose and you might be dead
And I'm a Nike-head, I wear chains that excite the Feds
And ain't a damn thing gonna change
I'mma performer strange, so the mic warmer was born to gain
Nas, why did you do it
You know you got the mad fat fluid when you rhyme, it's halftime
[Hook]
It's halftime
This is how it feel, check it out, how it feel
[Verse 2]
It's like that, you know it's like that
I got it hemmed, now you never get the mic back
When I attack, there ain't an army that could strike back
So I react never calmly on a hype track
I set it off with my own rhyme
Cause I'm as ill as a convict who kills for phone time
I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
In your stereo sets, Nas'll catch wreck
I used to hustle; now all I do is relax and strive
When I was young I was a fan of the Jackson 5
I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it
With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach
Nasty Nas has to rise cause I'm wise
This is exercise 'til the microphone dies
Back in '83 I was an MC sparkin'
But I was too scared to grab the mics in the parks and
Kick my little raps cause I thought niggas wouldn't understand
And now in every jam I'm the fuckin' man
I rap in front of more niggas than in the slave ships
I used to watch "CHiPs", now I load Glock clips
I got to have it, I miss Mr. Magic
Versatile, my style switches like a faggot
But not bisexual, I'm an intellectual
Of rap I'm a professional and that's no question, yo
These are the lyrics of the man, you can't near it, understand?
Cause in the streets, I'm well-known like the number man
Am I in place with the bass and format
Explore rap and tell me "Nas ain't all that"
And next time I rhyme, I be foul
Whenever I freestyle I see trial, niggas say I'm wild
I hate a rhyme-biter's rhyme
Stay tuned, Nas soon - the real rap comes at halftime
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
I got it going on, even flip a morning song
Every afternoon, I kick half the tune
And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the NARC's hit
Word to Marcus Garvey: I hardly sparked it
Cause when I blast the herb, that's my word
I be slayin' them fast, doing this that and the third
But chill, pass the Andre, and let's slay
I bag bitches up at John Jay, and hit a matinee
Putting hits on 5-0
Cause when it's my time to go, I wait for God with the .44
And biters can't come near
And yo, go to hell to the foul cop who shot Garcia
I won't plant seeds, don't need an extra mouth I can't feed
That's extra Phillie change, more cash for damp weed
This goes out to Manhattan, the island of Staten
Brooklyn and Queens is living fat and
The Boogie Down, enough props, enough clout
Ill Will, rest in peace, yo, I'm out
The lyrics to the song “Halftime” by rapper Nas are an introspective look into his life and career as an artist. The verses describe Nas’ past experiences as a hustler and a rising artist in the hip-hop scene. He reflects on his growth and success, but he also acknowledges the struggles he’s faced and the darker side of his lifestyle. Nas’ flow is smooth and confident, reflecting his status as a well-respected artist in the rap world.
Line by Line Meaning
Before I blunt, I take out my fronts
Before I get high, I remove my gold teeth
Then I start to front; matter of fact, I be on a manhunt
Then I act tough and begin searching for something or someone
You couldn't catch me in the streets without a ton of reefer
I always have a lot of weed with me
That's like Malcolm X catching the Jungle Fever
That's like a civil rights leader losing sight of their mission
King poetic. Too much flavor, I'm major
I am a great artist with a unique style
Atlanta ain't Brave-r, I'll pull a number like a pager
I am popular and can command a crowd's attention
Cause I'm an ace when I face the bass
I am skilled at rapping over a heavy beat
40-side is the place that is giving me grace
The neighborhood of Queensbridge gives me inspiration and support
Now wait, another dose and you might be dead
Be careful, too much of a good thing can be dangerous
And I'm a Nike-head, I wear chains that excite the Feds
I love expensive clothes and jewelry that get the attention of law enforcement
And ain't a damn thing gonna change
I am who I am and won't be changing for anyone
I'mma performer strange, so the mic warmer was born to gain
I have a unique and unusual rap style that has brought me success
Nas, why did you do it
You know you got the mad fat fluid when you rhyme, it's halftime
Nas, why did you create such amazing rhymes? You're about to perform them now.
It's halftime
I am now taking a break from rapping.
This is how it feel, check it out, how it feel
This is what it feels like to be on top of the rap game.
I got it hemmed, now you never get the mic back
I am in control of the rap game and won't give up the microphone
When I attack, there ain't an army that could strike back
My rapping skills are so powerful that no one can challenge me
So I react never calmly on a hype track
I get excited and never hold back when rapping over a great beat
I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
I am at the height of my success and am very confident
In your stereo sets, Nas'll catch wreck
My music will sound great on your stereo system
I used to hustle; now all I do is relax and strive
I used to sell drugs, now I am successful as a rapper and am taking it easy
When I was young I was a fan of the Jackson 5
When I was a kid, I loved Michael Jackson's music
I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it
I have valuable knowledge and wear expensive jewelry, but hope I am never robbed
With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach
I have a lot of sneakers and shoes
Nasty Nas has to rise cause I'm wise
My success as a rapper is due to my intelligence
This is exercise 'til the microphone dies
I am practicing and improving my rapping skills until I can no longer perform
And now in every jam I'm the fuckin' man
I am the best performer at every event I go to
I rap in front of more niggas than in the slave ships
I perform for more people than were on the slave ships that brought Africans to America
I used to watch "CHiPs", now I load Glock clips
I used to watch a TV show about California cops, but now I carry a gun
I got to have it, I miss Mr. Magic
I love the rap game and miss a popular DJ who helped me get discovered
Versatile, my style switches like a faggot
I can adapt to any musical style, but am derogatory towards gay people
But not bisexual, I'm an intellectual
I am smart, but not sexually attracted to both men and women
Of rap I'm a professional and that's no question, yo
I am a skilled and experienced rapper, no doubt about it
These are the lyrics of the man, you can't near it, understand?
These are the words of a great rapper that you can't match, do you get it?
Cause in the streets, I'm well-known like the number man
I am famous and respected in my community
Am I in place with the bass and format
Do I fit in with the music and style of rap?
Explore rap and tell me "Nas ain't all that"
Listen to different types of rap and see that I am one of the best
And next time I rhyme, I be foul
The next time I perform, I will be even more vulgar and raw
Whenever I freestyle I see trial, niggas say I'm wild
When I improvise a rap, it can sometimes get me into trouble
I hate a rhyme-biter's rhyme
I don't respect other rappers who steal rhymes
Stay tuned, Nas soon - the real rap comes at halftime
Stay tuned, I will be performing even better later on
I got it going on, even flip a morning song
I am successful and can even perform early in the day
Every afternoon, I kick half the tune
Every day, I make great music
And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the NARC's hit
When I am alone, I am very tough and uncaring
Cause when I blast the herb, that's my word
When I smoke weed, I feel very strong and successful
I be slayin' them fast, doing this that and the third
I am constantly making great music
But chill, pass the Andre, and let's slay
Relax, give me some wine, and let's make great music
I bag bitches up at John Jay, and hit a matinee
I hook up with women and go to afternoon movies
Putting hits on 5-0
I want to hurt and kill police officers
Cause when it's my time to go, I wait for God with the .44
When I die, I am ready to face God with my gun
And biters can't come near
Other rappers who steal my rhymes can't compete with me
And yo, go to hell to the foul cop who shot Garcia
I wish the police officer who killed a man named Garcia would go to hell
I won't plant seeds, don't need an extra mouth I can't feed
I won't have children I can't support
That's extra Phillie change, more cash for damp weed
That's more money for me to spend on weed
This goes out to Manhattan, the island of Staten
Brooklyn and Queens is living fat and
The Boogie Down, enough props, enough clout
I am showing love to different neighborhoods in New York City where great music comes from
Ill Will, rest in peace, yo, I'm out
I'm saying goodbye, and remembering my friend Ill Will who passed away
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
Still waiting on the next...