In 2019, she broke the Australian record for the most weeks at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart by any artist with 16 weeks. By mid-January 2020, "Dance Monkey" had spent its 24th and final week at number one, beating Bing Crosby's all-time Australian record for his version of "White Christmas", which spent 22 weeks at the top in 1943.
"Dance Monkey" was accredited 16× platinum by ARIA for shipments of over 1,120,000 units, by mid-2021. Tones was the most awarded artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, winning four of eight nominations. Tones and I released her debut extended play, The Kids Are Coming, on 30 August 2019, which peaked at number three in Australia, and top 10 in several countries. Her debut album, Welcome to the Madhouse, was released via Bad Batch on 16 July 2021. It debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album's lead single "Fly Away" peaked at number four in Australia and number 11 in the UK.
Toni Watson grew up in Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula to the south of Melbourne, in the Australian state of Victoria. Conflicting reports state she was born either in 1993 or in 2000. The artist prefers not to disclose her birth details, "I never denied my age. I never lied about it. I just don't say anything now... Everything is wrong online."
She explained choosing a music career: "One day I was at the park with my family, all my cousins and stuff, in Frankston... We were all just singing a song and my aunty was like 'oh guys, she can actually hold a note.' I think that's the earliest memory of someone actually pointing me out as someone that has an ability to sing. I was probably like 7 years old." The singer-songwriter had learned to play keyboards and drum pads while at secondary school.She started busking in Melbourne, while working in fashion retail at the Universal Store.
In 2009, as Toni Watson, she created a YouTube page and posted a cappella cover versions of songs. She performed local gigs and festivals, including the Let Go festival. Tones was the vocalist for a duo in 2014, and remembered: "I started out singing in small pubs and bars in Mornington, I was singing along to a guitarist until I ended up branching out on my own." She explained her shift to a solo career: "I actually got made redundant from my retail job and with that money I bought an RC300 (loop station) and just started to try to figure it all out." She busked "up and down the east coast with her synthesizers and loop pedal, she has been building a loyal fanbase and captivating crowds with her genre-diverse style."
In September 2017, the singer-songwriter travelled to Byron Bay in the Australian state of New South Wales to try busking there. At an early performance, she met Jackson Walkden-Brown who became her manager about a month later. Her busking success led to a greater commitment to a music career. The artist spent 2018 living between Walkden-Brown's home in the Gold Coast hinterland and in her van in Byron Bay, writing music and busking full-time. Later that year she won the Battle of the Buskers at Buskers by the Creek.
The Best
Tones And I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bunch of noise in my ears
And it hurts to listen
They call it turning up that’s the word around
But when they turn it up
That’s when I turn it down
Then I turn it off
Cause I don’t want to hear the mess
You nowhere near the best
Fronting like the game owes you
Always wanting something for nothing
The same ole you
Sick of dudes with the same ole views
I should of been had a deal
All I hear is the same ole blues
I be hearing more crying than spitting
Whatever happened to rap
All these cats be whining and bitching
And I ain’t feeling no lines that you kicking
On top of that you stealing lines
What you rhyming is bitten
It’s a shame how the games changed
It’s getting annoying
How you for the culture when it’s the culture
You destroying
This is my life
My story
My book
These is my rhymes
My verses
My hook
This is my flow
My style
My delivery
Even at my worst
You still couldn’t get with me
This is my life
My story
My book
These is my rhymes
My verses
My hook
This is my flow
My style
My delivery
Even at my worst
You still couldn’t get with me
Everybody seem
To wanna claim the best spot
When they ain’t even number 2
Or the next spot
They ain’t even top nothing
The nerve of em
Mumble rappers
Can’t understand a word of em
Chop’s the name
Rhymes I got a few though
The best you never heard
But love it when you do though
The veteran
Respect is earned
I really earned it
I drive crowds wild
Without even a permit
No biting allowed
That’s the rule you should learn it
Nothing’s fire in your rap book
You should burn it
Toss it in the furnace
Every page of the damn thing
If that’s the best you can do
That’s a damn shame
You a bum and a fake
I hate lames
Probably sell your soul for some beats
And a fake chain
You the best better than who
State names
Mention mine though
Better duck when I take aim
This is my life
My story
My book
These is my rhymes
My verses
My hook
This is my flow
My style
My delivery
Even at my worst
You still couldn’t get with me
This is my life
My story
My book
These is my rhymes
My verses
My hook
This is my flow
My style
My delivery
Even at my worst
You still couldn’t get with me
In "The Best" by Tones And I, the lyrics express frustration and disappointment with the current state of the rap industry. The song criticizes the lack of substance and originality in many contemporary rappers' music. The artist believes that the genre has become filled with noise and empty lyrics, with rappers claiming to be the best without actually delivering quality content.
The song also criticizes the "mumble rap" trend, where lyrics are often incomprehensible. Tones And I expresses a desire for rap to return to its roots, with meaningful lyrics and skilled delivery. The artist highlights the importance of respect and earning one's place in the industry, in contrast to those who crave fame without putting in the necessary work.
The use of the phrase "This is my life, my story, my book" emphasizes the artist's ownership and authenticity, asserting that they are staying true to themselves and their craft. Tones And I claims to have a unique style and flow, indicating their confidence in their abilities as a rapper.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Best" convey a sense of frustration with the current state of rap, longing for a return to meaningful content and genuine talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Nowadays most rappers ain’t worth a listen
In this day and age, the majority of rappers lack any musical value or substance.
Bunch of noise in my ears
Their music is nothing more than chaotic and unpleasant sounds to me.
And it hurts to listen
It genuinely pains me to give their music a chance and listen to it.
They call it turning up that’s the word around
They refer to their music as 'turning up,' which seems to be the popular terminology among them.
But when they turn it up
However, when they amplify their music and make it louder,
That’s when I turn it down
I, on the other hand, prefer to decrease the volume and minimize my exposure to it.
Then I turn it off
Eventually, I reach a point where I completely shut off their music.
Cause I don’t want to hear the mess
The reason for doing so is that I simply have no interest in subjecting myself to such a chaotic and unpleasant listening experience.
Claiming the top spot
They audaciously declare themselves as the best in the music industry.
You nowhere near the best
In reality, they are far from being the best and most talented.
Fronting like the game owes you
They pretend as though the music industry owes them success and recognition.
Always wanting something for nothing
They constantly seek rewards and opportunities without putting in the necessary effort or talent.
The same ole you
You consistently display the same unoriginal and uninspiring qualities.
Sick of dudes with the same ole views
I have grown weary of individuals who possess the same predictable and uninteresting perspectives.
I should of been had a deal
I should have already secured a record deal by now.
All I hear is the same ole blues
Unfortunately, all I seem to encounter are repetitive and melancholic stories.
I be hearing more crying than spitting
Rather than hearing genuine and skillful rapping, I am subjected to an excessive amount of emotional whining.
Whatever happened to rap
I can't help but wonder what has become of the rap genre.
All these cats be whining and bitching
The majority of these individuals simply complain and moan instead of delivering meaningful content.
And I ain’t feeling no lines that you kicking
The lyrics you are delivering fail to resonate with me in any way.
On top of that you stealing lines
Furthermore, you have the audacity to plagiarize and borrow lines from other artists.
What you rhyming is bitten
The words you use in your rhymes are unoriginal and have been copied from others.
It’s a shame how the games changed
It is truly disheartening to witness the transformation and degradation of the music industry.
It’s getting annoying
The current state of affairs has become increasingly bothersome and frustrating.
How you for the culture when it’s the culture
You claim to be supportive of the hip-hop culture, but your actions only contribute to its decline.
You destroying
Your behavior and choices are actively destroying the authenticity and integrity of the culture.
This is my life
The art of music and the experiences it represents are deeply personal to me.
My story
It is the story of my life that I express through my music.
My book
Like a book, my music serves as a vessel for me to share my thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
These is my rhymes
The words and lyrics I create are uniquely mine, reflecting my perspective and creativity.
My verses
Each verse I deliver is carefully crafted and serves as a narrative within my songs.
My hook
The chorus or hook of my song acts as a catchy and memorable centerpiece, drawing listeners in.
This is my flow
The particular style and rhythm I bring to my music is entirely my own.
My style
I have cultivated a unique and distinctive approach to making music.
My delivery
The way I convey my lyrics and emotions while performing is unmatched and unmatched.
Even at my worst
Even in my most vulnerable and imperfect moments,
You still couldn’t get with me
You would still be unable to match my skills, talent, and overall artistry.
Everybody seem
It appears that everyone these days
To wanna claim the best spot
Desires to assert themselves as the best in the music industry.
When they ain’t even number 2
However, they are far from being the second best, let alone the top.
Or the next spot
They don't even come close to being considered for the next position of importance.
They ain’t even top nothing
In reality, they don't even occupy a significant position or rank within the industry.
The nerve of em
Their audacity and arrogance truly astound me.
Mumble rappers
Referring to a specific group of rappers who unintelligibly mumble their lyrics.
Can’t understand a word of em
Their lyrics are incomprehensible and lack any meaningful substance.
Chop’s the name
I am identified by the name 'Chop.'
Rhymes I got a few though
Although I possess numerous rhymes and lyrics within me,
The best you never heard
I am confident that my music is of the highest quality, yet it remains undiscovered by many.
But love it when you do though
However, I am sincerely appreciative and pleased when individuals finally have the opportunity to hear my music.
The veteran
I am an experienced and seasoned artist in the music industry.
Respect is earned
I strongly believe that respect is something that must be earned through hard work, dedication, and talent.
I really earned it
I have put in the necessary effort and proven myself to deserve the respect I receive.
I drive crowds wild
My performances have the power to captivate audiences and elicit enthusiastic reactions.
Without even a permit
I am able to achieve such crowd reactions without needing any official authorization or permission.
No biting allowed
I strictly adhere to the rule of originality and creativity, refusing to imitate or copy others.
That’s the rule you should learn it
I strongly urge others to embrace and internalize this rule, as it will only benefit their own artistic growth.
Nothing’s fire in your rap book
The content within your rap lyrics lacks any form of passion, creativity, or impact.
You should burn it
I recommend you discard and completely eliminate the content of your rap book.
Toss it in the furnace
Dispose of it by throwing it into a blazing furnace, ensuring its complete destruction.
Every page of the damn thing
Every single page within your rap book is devoid of substance and value.
If that’s the best you can do
If the material you have produced is truly the best you can offer,
That’s a damn shame
Then it is quite lamentable and disappointing.
You a bum and a fake
You are not only talentless but also lack authenticity and sincerity.
I hate lames
I possess a strong disdain for individuals who lack creativity and originality.
Probably sell your soul for some beats
It is highly likely that you would compromise your integrity and artistic vision in exchange for beats or instrumentals.
And a fake chain
Additionally, you would probably trade your authenticity for a counterfeit display of wealth and status.
You the best better than who
You claim to be the best, but in comparison to whom?
State names
Provide the names of those who you believe you surpass in terms of talent and skill.
Mention mine though
However, you should be cautious when mentioning my name in any comparisons or challenges.
Better duck when I take aim
When I direct my focus towards you, you better be prepared to defend yourself or face the consequences.
This is my life
Once again, I emphasize that music is not just a profession to me, but an integral part of my life.
My story
Through my music, I aim to share the unique experiences and narratives that shape my personal journey.
My book
Similar to a book, my music allows me to express myself, opening a glimpse into my thoughts and emotions.
These is my rhymes
The words and verses I create are a product of my own creativity and individuality.
My verses
Each verse I deliver serves as a deliberate expression of my thoughts and experiences.
My hook
The hook of my song acts as an enticing and memorable element, drawing listeners in and leaving a lasting impression.
This is my flow
The distinct rhythm and style with which I deliver my music are uniquely my own.
My style
I have cultivated a recognizable and individualistic approach to making music.
My delivery
The way I present my lyrics and emotions while performing is unparalleled and unmatched.
Even at my worst
Even when I am at my least polished or refined,
You still couldn’t get with me
You would still be unable to compete or match my level of skill and artistry.
Lyrics © DistroKid, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Anthony Valentine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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