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.
Your Word
Tonéx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your Word, Your Word, Your Word
Will never fail us
Your Word, Your Word, Your Word
It shall prevail us
Our eyes are blind
But I know that You can heal us
Our tears are silent
Verse 1
If He said it
He's gonna do it
Stand on His promises (Imani, Shanice and Flex)
And He's able
To perform it
Just believe what He said (You hear me Kelly and Jeff)
Though it tarry
You just wait for it
Just believe what He said
Chorus
Verse 2
If He said
He's gonna do it
Stand on His promises (I'm talking to you Fred)
And He's able
To perform it
Just believe what He said (I'm talking to you Deitrick)
Though it tarry
You just wait for it
Just believe what He said
Family
Billy Arlene Emmitt
Aunt Dot and Aunt Evelyn
Auntie Robin and Les
April Elain and Stephen
Bertha and Uncle Fred
Jeweline Lionel and Frederick
Philip Kevin and Kent
Jasmine and Richalyn
Alonzo and Rosalyn
A.C. and E.B. Williams
Jello Yvonne Sharon Graham
Vamp
Your Word
Will never fail us
It shall prevail for us
I know You hear when we call You
Although we are hurting
I know You can heal us
I know that You hear when we call You
The song "Your Word" by Tonex featuring Morpheus is a spiritual song filled with a message of faith and hope for those who are lost, hurting, or in need of healing. The chorus of the song declares the steadfastness of God's Word, which will never fail those who believe in it. The lyrics urge the listener to stand on the promises of God and trust that He is able to perform what He has promised. The verse speaks of the importance of believing what God has said, even if it takes time for His promises to be fulfilled. The song is a reassuring message to those who may be facing difficult times, reminding them that God is always present and hears their prayers.
Line by Line Meaning
Your Word, Your Word, Your Word
The power of Your spoken word is unrivaled and cannot be underestimated.
Will never fail us
Your promises are trustworthy and You always keep Your word.
It shall prevail us
Your words will always triumph over any challenge that we may face.
Our eyes are blind
We may lack the foresight to see Your plan, but it doesn't diminish our faith in You.
But I know that You can heal us
Even though we are weak and fragile, You possess the strength and ability to heal us.
Our tears are silent
Our words may fail us, but You can still hear our silent cries.
I know that You can hear us
You never ignore the cries of those who call out to You.
If He said it
If You spoke it, it is a promise waiting to be fulfilled.
He's gonna do it
You always keep Your word and will do exactly as You have promised.
Stand on His promises
Have faith and do not waver in the face of adversity.
And He's able
You possess unlimited power and are capable of all things.
To perform it
You have the power to turn Your promises into reality.
Just believe what He said
Have faith in Your promises and trust that they will be fulfilled.
Though it tarry
Even if it takes longer than expected, do not lose faith in Your promises.
You just wait for it
Be patient and wait for Your promises to come to fruition.
Billy Arlene Emmitt Aunt Dot and Aunt Evelyn Auntie Robin and Les April Elain and Stephen Bertha and Uncle Fred Jeweline Lionel and Frederick Philip Kevin and Kent Jasmine and Richalyn Alonzo and Rosalyn A.C. and E.B. Williams Jello Yvonne Sharon Graham
A list of individuals to whom this song is dedicated to and intended to inspire.
Your Word
The power and integrity of Your spoken word.
I know You hear when we call You
I have faith that You always hear our prayers and cries for help.
Although we are hurting
Even in our pain and struggles, I trust that You will provide comfort and guidance.
I know You can heal us
I have faith in Your power to heal us in our times of need.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY C. II WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arris Stephane Ibouily Boucka
on Cry No More
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