The dudes badass though. Good to see someone original in soul these days:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mL8wgTMQS00

He has been doing that for years, name changes, losing his mind etc, Tonex has been working hard to be the Prince of gospel...I am a big fan tho

Tonex is so corny

He's the ONLY gospel artist I've EVER bought/owned. Nuff said. This album is off the hook:

MuthaFunka said:

You ain't neva lied! That's a bad ass CD! Tonex has skillz.

BlaqueKnight said:

2freaky4church1 said:

Man, HE SUX!!!!!

Tonex's the bomb. He goes a bit overboard trying to be controversial "blog-wise," but I really like his projects.

The man can sing. I've heard only one other brother with his kind of range and chops. And, that dude is a killer arranger, too.

ThreadBare said:

Rahsaan?

MuthaFunka said:

No, buddy of mine in Maryland. A KILLER voice. Tonex's is the closest approximation I can find.

MuthaFunka said:

I agree. I have this cd as well but dude is kinda out there in space.

phunkdaddy said:

I think it's because he's not easy to pigeonhole, has crazy ideas and an amazing voice. Think about how hard that kind of artistry is when you're Prince and you've been around for decades.

Now consider how tough it can be in the even stricter gospel industry. And overlay it with parochial ideas about what ministry is and is not.

I empathize with Tonex.

ThreadBare said:

I'm interested in your thoughts about Naked Truth.

Lammastide said:

Wow, man. I just saw it, as well as the two-part interview he did in explaining Naked Truth and his perspective.

Tonex comes off wounded and angry. He's gone through a lot, professionally and personally in the past few years. He seems to have resolved to be angry, edgy and unorthodox (even profane) as a way of declaring or demonstrating his liberty in Christ. I don't know how he can reconcile some of the things in that song or even in his avowed perspective with a Spirit-led experience.

I hope this is but a stop in his evolution as a Christ-redeemed artist. Right now, to be honest, he comes off deceived and carnal. But, I certainly can't judge him.

ThreadBare said:

I don't know his work, frankly. But there's apparently cause to be hopeful. Check this out... http://totalpraise.net/20...pologizes/

Also here's a written statement Tonex has presented (from http://www.articlesofinfo...ruth.htm):

To our Presiding Bishop, Horace D. Smith To my own Bishop in California Henry Johnson and in the the Loving memory and honor of the Late Great Bishop R.W. Mc Murray, Bishop Charles L. Taylor and My Father District Elder A.C. Williams Sr. I would like to say Praise the Lord.

I am writing on this Myspace Page of my organization to say that due to the high volume of controversy around the world concerning my recent but distant decisions, I would like to submit my deepest regret for any shame that this may have caused my Bishops and or Body Members.

This was not meant to bring a reproach , but it was meant to bring closure to one of the darkest chapters of my life from whence I came out alive, thank God.

I would like to publically apologize for any action deed or word that may have caused breach, embarrassment, or shame to the legacy of our great organization P.A.W. and to any other Denominations that have done their best to support me even if they didn't understand me.

I justify nothing, but I repent for anything that may have caused some to stumble. Indeed, I did tell the "Naked" truth but the bible also does state that "all things are lawful but not expedient."


The world experienced my purging, my therapy session and the release of puss, vomit, anger, and rage that all humans have the propensity to demonstrate --- I do not ask a pardon for the Sin, only for the anger and discouragement and resentment that came from years of misappropriated slander toward myself and my family.In other words, things just honestly came to a head and busted.

To every Youth Pastor, to every parent and young person that I hurt or let down , I am truly and deeply remorsed if I caused you pain or embarrassment, please forgive me and restore me. My issue was public, so therefore I needed to publically ask for forgiveness. From your understanding of your own private struggles I ask that you at least understand. I'm not asking any of you to agree, just forgive me....I'm truly sorry. However, I'm glad to report that since that song released in June of 2007 I have become a new creature. I have never been so relieved and freed from my past and the future looks very bright ahead.

I'm am currently under the care and counsel of Bishop Norman Wagoner, and locally I'm am covered by District Elder Dwayne Shepherd of Greater Apostolic Faith Temple Church which is my Home church where I came from.

All of these things I submit humbly and respectfully and pray restoration with meekness. If a public rebuke is necessary I'm willing to receive it, but please know in my heart that I know Who Jesus really is. I still teach and preach the apostles' doctrine according to Acts 2:38 and I'm a TOTALLY on fire for Jesus. My mission is clear; unify the body for the edification of the Kingdom. To reach the masses through mainstream media with creativity and a real flow of the unadulterated anointing.

Am I perfect ? no . Will I still make mistakes, most likely. But I am completely and totally striving for excellence through Jesus Christ Our Savior. Anyone that needs to respond feel free to hit me up at www.myspace.com/theofficialtonex

Thank you all for reading this lengthy but imperative open apology.
Sincerely
Anthony C. Williams II

Maybe all his confusion comes from eating too many "FRUITY" pebbles

Where are our younger members? They need to get into new things.

prettymansson said:

ROTFL!

LoveAlive said:

He does seem pretty fruity

I went to see him at Six Flags a few years back. It was a gospel conference with Fred Hammond and J. Moss or whoever and a million choirs and people I didn't care about. I went to see Tonex cause his live DVD is the closest thing I could find to Live at the Aladdin that wasn't Mr. Nelson himself. Anyway, Tonex came onstage in a Taking Back Sunday shirt, some jeans with buckles and straps and killed it. He danced and sang in like 9 octaves and the holy folk around me sat on their hands and shook their heads.

It's no surprise to me that they don't get it. They treated Jesus the same way. Had they been around when He was, they woulda been the folks spittin and throwin rocks at him for bein different. Had Tonex been a secular artist from the start, he just woulda been scary good and labels wouldn't know what to do with him then, either.

TheSmyrk said:

I first saw him on Apollo back in 2000 and this chick and I were on the phone both watching it. When he came on, I said "Who's this fake Raphael Saadiq-lookin' fool" because he had pork chop side burns, a bebop hat, and patchwork jeans and a patchwork jean jacket. We both had our TVs on mute and when we turned it up, this fool was SANGIN'! He sang "Personal Jesus" and he rocked that shit! I was hooked after that and went and got his debut and the rest was history.

I was livin' in VA, when I first heard Tonex. I was jammin' along to this fuzzy gospel station, fuzzy from static.

"Personal Jesus" came on and I was hooked by the time I drove out of range, might have been before the bridge.

I searched for his CD in vain for months (this was during his label turmoil). When "Pronounced Toe-Nay" finally dropped, I couldn't buy it soon enough.

An amazing talent. I hope he finds his equilibrium soon. Part of his act is a little too egocentric for me.

ThreadBare said:

Yeah, he didn't clear his samples so his CD was on hold for a long time. But trip this, I went on Amazon a few weeks after it dropped and I got it for $1.99 - I was like "Who would sell his stuff for THIS cheap?" and then I heard it and I couldn't believe it was at that price.

MuthaFunka said:

Yeah i remember that show. I watching it drinking a beer with some of my cousins and was trying to figure out who this dude was. One of my cousins stated he is like mary mary and em. That is that charleston, sc slang.
I say okay dude is doing that gospel/r&b. Then that next week i heard a song on
the gospel radio station my mom listens to called cry no more and i was like whoaa that was deep. I immediately thought this guy sounds like a gospel version of stokley. When i found out it was the same tonex guy i saw on appollo i rushed out and got the cd from circuit city and i played the heck out of that cd. I haven't heard much from him since outside of the 2 disc out of the box cd and dude has seen to weird out a bit but is still very talented.

phunkdaddy said:

Yeah! He just has that "thang" don't he? Stokely IS a good comparison too! And I know ALL about that SC slang!

Tonex is off the chain. I just wish he would make up his mind about what direction he is taking musically.

tonex is veery cool his music is nice,4 some of the fan's of his first album u should really get his album oak park..it's crazy