Tonex's parents, Anthony and Betty Williams, are the Pastor and Assistant Pastor of Truth Apostolic Community Church in Spring Valley, California where they have been in existence for six years. "Our church is filled with young people from every walk of life, but they love the Lord and have a desire for the word of God," says Tonex.
"T.Boy (the album's producer) and I tried to create a sound that was extinct to the Christian Market; something fresh, alive, and completely the opposite of everything going on musically in the CCM market today. We created an album with the intent of a Christian music revolution being the outcome of its release," says the Stellar-nominated artist. Sales of the project skyrocketed and remain sold out in most stores. A re-release of the now unavailable classic album has been scheduled for release in late 1999. The recent performance by Tonex on the 14th Annual Stellar Awards has compared to the same impact Michael Jackson made on the Motown 25th Anniversary special back in 1983.
"I believe the reason for [the success of Pronounced Toe-Nay] is the fact that God's timing is the best timing. Had the album come out any sooner in the CCM market, it probably would not have worked out right with heavy-hitters Kirk Franklin and DC Talk still promoting their latest efforts. It came out at a time when people were 'Stomp-ed out' so to speak. Creativity is one of the main drawing cards about this album. It's really unique just as I am. I have many styles and diversities about myself and they reflect throughout the album's six music genre sections. As you listen to the entire album, it is evident that God ordained his entire project."
Pronounced Toe-Nay is Tonex's third solo album that also marks his national debut. He has performed with Andraè & Sandra Crouch, Daryl Coley, Kirk Franklin, T-Bone, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Sheila E., Nancey Jackson, Dawkins & Dawkins, John P. Kee, Boyz II Men, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Grammy-nominee Deleon Richards.
He has had national television and print media coverage (JET, Sister 2 Sister, Billboard, Gospel Industry Today). "The ministry that God has given me is geared towards an audience previously left stranded in Christian music. With anointed lyrics and the most state-of-the-art R&B production, I intend to sabotage demonic forces causing a backfire on Satan's hold in R&B music," says Tonex. This generation is blessed to have such talent that believes in giving 110% of his gift to his music, to his fans, and most of all, to God.
Help!
Tonex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's a great idea, planting seeds in the next kid?s brain and
It?s an exploitation and we're making light of travesty
God, help our nation, it?s teenage insanity
Columbine, can someone tell me what's up with this?
Santee High, Granite Hills not far behind
'cause in this present time and day, there's got to be a better way
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
See my greatest fear has turned into reality
Never in a million years
Did I ever think it would come this close to me?
Look at all these bodies blood dripping from their young hair
As the world keeps turning, God, it seems like no one cares
Columbine, can someone tell me what's up with this?
Santee High, Granite Hills not far behind
'cause in this present time and day, there's got to be a better way
There's gotta be a better way, yeah
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need some lesson
I need Ya, I love Ya
Columbine, can someone tell me what's up with this?
Santee High, Granite Hills not far behind
'cause in this present time and day, there's got to be a better way
There's gotta be a better way, yeah
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
I need Jah
They need Jah
We need Jah
We need some help
The lyrics of Tonex's song "Help!" express his disbelief and disappointment with the media's tendency to downplay tragic events and focus on what they find entertaining. He sees this as a form of exploitation and fears that it contributes to the growing number of tragic incidents involving teenagers. In his mind, the shootings at Columbine High School, Santee High, and Granite Hills are symptoms of a larger issue, one that requires urgent attention from God to prevent more tragedies.
The author's greatest fear has come true, and he expresses shock and disbelief that violence has hit so close to home. He describes the bloodied bodies of young victims, and wonders if anyone else in the world truly cares. Tonex acknowledges that something must be done, and that it's time for change. He calls out for Jah (a Rastafarian term for God), hoping for divine intervention to help heal the brokenness of society, and to steer people towards a better way.
Overall, Tonex's lyrics in "Help!" convey a deep sense of grief and urgency. He implores people to take responsibility for their actions and to seek help from a higher power, in order to bring about positive change and prevent more tragedies like those he describes.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe media, they find it all entertaining
The media is treating tragic events as entertainment, which is concerning.
That's a great idea, planting seeds in the next kid's brain and
The media's portrayal of these events is potentially dangerous and could influence children to commit similar acts.
It's an exploitation and we're making light of travesty
The media's actions are exploitative and are not taking the tragedy seriously.
God, help our nation, it's teenage insanity
The state of our nation's youth is concerning and in need of divine assistance.
Columbine, can someone tell me what's up with this?
The singer is questioning the motivations behind school shootings such as Columbine.
Santee High, Granite Hills not far behind
The singer is concerned that other schools may also experience tragic events.
'cause in this present time and day, there's got to be a better way
There must be a better approach to preventing such tragedies in our current time.
There's gotta be a better way, yeah
The singer is convinced that a better solution exists.
I need Jah, They need Jah, We need Jah, We need some help
The singer is expressing the need for help from a higher power.
See my greatest fear has turned into reality
The singer is describing the fear of a tragedy happening to them, which has now come true.
Never in a million years, did I ever think it would come this close to me?
The singer is shocked that a tragic event has affected them personally.
Look at all these bodies blood dripping from their young hair
The singer is describing the gruesome scene of a mass shooting.
As the world keeps turning, God, it seems like no one cares
The singer is expressing frustration towards the lack of action being taken to address these tragedies.
I need some lesson, I need Ya, I love Ya
The singer is expressing a desire for guidance and love from a higher power.
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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