Tonéx

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Tonéx
Birth name Anthony Charles Williams II
Also known as T'Boy, T. Bizzy, O'ryn, Pastor N8ion, ACW2, The Black Maverick
Born May 16, 1975 (1975-05-16) (age 33)
Origin San Diego, California
Genre(s) Gospel, "nureau", "gospop", R&B, jazz, hip hop, funk, pop, Rock
Occupation(s) singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, choreographer, dancer
Instrument(s) vocals, piano, organ, drums
Years active 1992-present
Label(s) Rajah, MSS, Rescue/Diamante,
Tommy Boy Gospel, Jive/Verity, Nureau Ink
Website www.myspace.com/theofficialtonex

Tonéx (pronounced "toe-nay") (born May 16, 1975(1975-05-16) in San Diego, California) is an American contemporary Gospel singer, songwriter, producer, and preacher.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Musical career

After honing his producing skills with a series of experimental independent recordings, Tonéx made his national debut with a re-release of his most successful independent album Pronounced Toe-Nay in 2000.[1] His first high-profile television appearance was performing a medley of "Trinity" & "One Good Reason" on the Stellar Awards, which was a coup as Tonéx was a relative unknown at the time.[2][3] He has dubbed his particular genre-spanning musical style "nureau."[4]

Upon its release, Toe-Nay bore 5 different record label logos: Rescue Records, the independent label that originally released the album; MSS Records, Tonéx's then-active vanity imprint label; Tommy Boy Gospel, the label to which Tonéx 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.[5]

Two years later, he delivered the pop-leaning album O2. The music video for the single "Bout A Thang" featured energetic hip-hop dance and an urban image not usually associated with Gospel artists.[6] The album received it's greatest boost from the single "God Has Not 4got" on Gospel radio.[7] The song was nominated for multiple Stellar Awards the following year.[8]

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".[9] The same year, Tonéx won a total of six Stellar Awards including "Artist of the Year" for Out The Box.[10]

[edit] Controversy and turbulence

As quickly as his fame grew, his career was dealt several crushing blows in 2005. His father passed away, forcing him to take on the responsibility of becoming senior pastor of their family's church in his stead.[2] He also divorced his wife of 5 years, Yvette Williams (née Graham). Also, Verity Records sued Tonéx for one million dollars citing breach of contract.[11] Subsequently, Tonéx announced that he would retire from the Gospel music industry, frustrated by politics and mistreatment.[12] Following the announcement, Kirk Franklin posted a personal blog on his own website sympathizing with the artist feeling "the weight of an industry that is only built to make money, not heal broken souls." [13]

Nonetheless, Tonéx has continued releasing music on iTunes through independent label Nureau Ink. Among those releases were a remix album, Pronounced Remyx, and a sprawling two-disc set Oak Park 92105 previously only available through underground websites. A special version of Oak Park was given limited release in the Christian market and re-titled Oak Park 921'o6 featuring a new single, "Fail U." A jazz collection titled The London Letters was also released.

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, another split with Zomba was announced. In the wake of leaking the vitriolic and profanity-laden song "The Naked Truth" along with several similarly themed blogs and videos, the artist faced much scrutiny within the conservative Gospel arena.[14]

[edit] Recent activity

Tonex is now writing and producing songs for upcoming projects by Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Brandy, Usher and Danity Kane.[15] Meanwhile, planned release date for Stereotype: Steel & Velvet on September 11, 2007 came and went, with an apology on YouTube referencing the album without specifying any details.

[edit] Public image

Tonex is known for his unpredictable image. His appearance often alternates between extremely conservative suits with close cropped hair and outlandish, flamboyant garb with feather boas and punk-inspired multi-colored hairstyles. Tonex states, "It wasn't me trying to make a statement; I've always been different, and it really worked."[16]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Physical & Digital Releases

[edit] Underground/Out-of-Print Releases

[edit] Singles

  • "Personal Jesus" (Rescue/MSS, 1997)
  • "Personal Jesus (Remixes)" (MSS, 1999) CD MAXI SINGLE
  • "One Sunday Morning"/"For The Life Of Me" (MSS, 1999)
  • "Mad" (MSS, 1999) CASSETTE SINGLE
  • "Personal Jesus" (Jive/Verity/Tommy Boy/Rescue/MSS, 2000)
  • "Bout A Thang" (Jive/Verity, 2002)
  • "That's When" (Verity, 2002)
  • "God Has Not 4Got" (Verity, 2002)
  • "Doesn't Really Matter" (Verity, 2004)
  • "Make Me Over" (Verity, 2004)
  • "Since Jesus Came" / "Todos Juntos" (Verity, 2004)
  • "Ain't (Remyx LP)" (Nureau Ink, 2005)
  • T. Bizzy: "Banganyn (EP)" (Nureau Ink, 2006)
  • "Fail U" (Nureau Ink, 2006)
  • "Joy" (Nureau Ink/Verity, 2007)
  • "Banganyn Remyxes" (Nureau Ink, 2008) DIGITAL MAXI SINGLE

[edit] Awards

GMA Award (formerly known as Dove Awards)
  • 2003: Urban Album of the Year for Souljahz's The Fault Is History (Warner Bros.)[17][18]
Stellar Awards
  • 2003: Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year for O2[19]
  • 2005: Artist of the Year for Out The Box[8]
  • 2005: Song of the Year for "Make Me Over"[8]
  • 2005: Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year for Out The Box[8]
  • 2005: Contemporary CD of the Year for Out The Box[8]
  • 2005: Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year for Out The Box[8]
  • 2005: Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year for "Thank Q" from Out The Box[8]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pronounced Toe-Nay at Allmusic
  2. ^ a b Tonex. CBN.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  3. ^ Tonex Bio. 1 Cubed.
  4. ^ North, Stan. An Interview With Tonéx: Foundational Nureau — Part One. GospelFlava.com.
  5. ^ North, Stan. Tonéx: Pronounced Toe-Nay (Review). GospelFlava.com.
  6. ^ Jeep Tracks Summer 2002. GospelFlava.com.
  7. ^ Tonex: O2. GospelCity.com.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g 20th Annual Stellar Award Winners (2005). GospelFlava.com.
  9. ^ Verity Dominates Billboard Gospel Chart. GospelCity.com.
  10. ^ Stellar Gospel Awards celebrates 20th anniversary; Tonex sweeps with six awards. Jet (March 7, 2005).
  11. ^ Tonéx lawsuit press release. GospelCity.com.
  12. ^ Tonéx retires from Gospel music industry. GospelCity.com.
  13. ^ Franklin, Kirk (January 25, 2006). Tonéx. KirkFranklin.us.
  14. ^ Williams, Stacey (June 22, 2007). TONEX DEALS WITH GAY INNUENDO: Gospel artist responds with expletives on YouTube.. EURweb.
  15. ^ Tonex - The Black Maverick. VesselVibe.com (June 22, 2007).
  16. ^ Mannheim, James M.. Tonex Biography - Recorded Homemade Album at (10<), Favored Glam Costumes, Reached Upper Chart Levels.
  17. ^ Dove Awards of 2003
  18. ^ Dove Awards - Entertainment. Jet (April 28, 2003).
  19. ^ 18th Annual Stellar Award Winners (2003). GospelFlava.com.
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