He Said: EXCLUSIVE Interview with TON3X™ – PART 1 of 2
by EJ on Mar.31, 2009 at 4:22 pm, under Industry
I got to chat with TON3X™ last week about a BUNCH of topics. I’ve separated the interview into 2 sections, partly cuz I wanna keep you in suspense, but also cuz it was longer than he and I planned, and I have more content than I expected.
Regardless of what you’ve heard about him, I found him to be a refreshingly candid and incredibly kind person. Chatting with him was simple and honest– a GREAT discussion.
Here, in Part 1, we’re talking about his new album, Unspoken, his place in the music industry, some of the controversy that has surrounded him, and how he’s responded. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS INTERVIEW!
Without any delay… I give you TON3X™.
* * *
EJ: Hey man, how are you?
TON3X™: I’m good!
EJ: Good. I appreciate your taking a minute to chat with me. I know you’re busy doing promo stuff for the album.
TON3X™: Yeah, it’s crazy.
EJ: I can imagine. What happened last week with your transportation and you being under the weather?
TON3X™: It was just, y’know… the pollen on the East Coast is bananas and just getting the vehicle in order, and having to change drivers and everything… it was just bananas, unexpectedly.
EJ: Well, I’m glad it’s all good now.
TON3X™: Oh yeah. You know, when you’re doing this extensive of a tour, you’re gonna have those minor setbacks, but thanks be unto God, who causes us to triumph. We just rescheduled everything and, as a result, even more dates came in. We were able to hit a few places that weren’t even originally included. So, not only will we be able to do what we were gonna do, we’re doing what we didn’t know we were gonna do.
EJ: Praise God. Well, I wanna jump right in and talk about your new release, Unspoken. First of all, I think it’s phenomenal. I’m a fan and I don’t care what’s said– I think you’re teetering dangerously close to “musical genius.” I’ve also noticed a lot of people who were probably naysayers saying stuff on their Facebook status updates like “I’m a little surprised, but i’m kinda loving this.”
TON3X™: Wow! I didn’t even know that. That’s good to hear.
EJ: Yeah, man. But, what would you say is the basic message or direction of this album?
TON3X™: You know… I’ma be real– I don’t even know, myself.
EJ: *laughs*
TON3X™: *laughing* You know? Because it really wasn’t a conceptual album, except from the standpoint of the cover– that’s the most conceptual piece about it. But the selection of songs don’t necessarily reflect the concept of the cover, which is basically… you know, spiritual abuse, emotional abuse, corporate abuse… all of those woes and things that I was victimized with before.
Unspoken is like… “here’s some music… this is my best work, my best collection.” When I say “collection,” I mean that I recorded three albums that were rejected by my former label and I took the best songs from those three records and put them on one piece. So, it’s like the “Greatest Hits Record of Tonex” of music that never made it to the commercial marketplace.
EJ: Wow.
TON3X™: That’s why I think it worked better for consumers and, like you said, the naysayers because it isn’t really a long piece. It’s all about the MUSIC. It’s not alluding to what happened, there’s nothing talking about what “was”…
I just think people are a little exhausted and I’m exhausted from everything that’s happened between Out The Box and Unspoken. Some things are better left unsaid, so it’s like… let’s get back to the music, let’s get back to the art.
So, if anything, that’s the concept, but there really was no link between each one of these songs. They were just chosen because I felt they best voiced the sentiment of who I am right now and how I feel.
EJ: That’s great to hear, man.
TON3X™: Yeah. I’m happy to be performing again, I’m happy to be doing what I was known for, you know? Not just the things that happened to me, or around me, or about me. It’s just good to get away from the sensationalism of it all and just get back to what I love. And I think that’s what people are connected to. There’s just nothing alluding to anything that people thought a TON3X™ record would probably be about. Because I’m not about that anymore. It’s done with. The music speaks louder than anything else right now.
And I’m just glad that it worked. I just got an email from Donald Lawrence and he basically broke down each song to me. And just for him to take the time to break down my songs… y’know, he’s a genius himself. And for him to take the time to write and really have dissected that album says a lot about it. Richard Smallwood as well, he hit me up the same way. And just to have my peers and mentors and teachers acknowledge that– it just says a lot about my artistic growth and the choices that I’ve matured into making.
EJ: That’s great that they reached out like that.
TON3X™: Yeah. Like, one of the good choices, [Donald] said, was that it’s only 13 songs. You know? People are making albums that are just entirely too long right now.
EJ: For real! And unnecessarily so.
TON3X™: And I think we’re getting back to where the whole ALBUM is what we’re thinking of, not just certain songs out of a double CD.
EJ: That’s awesome. You know, I think about this album, with songs like “Sneeze,” where you’re literally just singing “achoo” in the chorus…
TON3X™: *laughs* That’s the one that Donald spent the most time on.
EJ: I love that song! I was telling my wife “listen! he’s sneezing, but he’s also got scripture and he’s saying ‘the prophet laid upon me’…” I think it’s amazing. And even songs like “Games” from the Out The Box album, making a gospel track from the theme song of Family Feud… where do you get these ideas?!
TON3X™: *laughing*
EJ: *laughing* For real, man! It’s almost like you have no inhibitions, nothing is far-fetched, everything is “fair game.” Is that accurate?
TON3X™: That’s accurate. That’s very accurate. I don’t know WHAT to be afraid of– I just go with my gut. I learned that from Donald Trump. No big investment he’s ever had was built off of over-analyzing or over-strategizing his next move. He just went with his gut.
And that’s what a lot of artists are lacking to me. They wanna be safe and pay those bills. But sometimes, you may get a steady paycheck, but I want that one that no one else was willing to roll the dice on and I did, and it paid off real big.
And I think that, with this record… even with the cover, I went into it knowing “I’m just gonna put it out there and I’m gonna go with my gut.” My gut said nothing looks like this or sounds like this and, I think I might get a Hood Grammy if I do it the way I was feeling it in my heart, the way God gave it to me.
EJ: Wow.
TON3X™: Cuz this wasn’t even the original title, or direction. I wasn’t supposed to be on Battery Records… just the way it all happened. There was not supposed to be another commercial TON3X™ album in the marketplace. EVER. I only did this because I had the freedom to do the record the way I wanted to do it.
Because no longer would I be represented in the commercial marketplace, being a dumbed-down version of who God really made me to be.
EJ: Mmm. I hear that. You mention having freedom in your music… On “Wired,” one of the tracks on Unspoken, you mention something about how many STDs should be in your body. And, I remember that back on your Oak Park album, you talk about struggling with masturbation in your song, “Feelings.”
TON3X™: Yes.
EJ: You never seem afraid to jump head-first into some very taboo topics in the church and in the Body of Christ. How do you respond, though, to people who say you give too much, or that you don’t finesse it enough… like you’re almost TOO blatant? Is that possible in gospel?
TON3X™: Ummm… I think the only thing, for me, is just making sure that I know the crowd. Like, when I’m in the college crowd, I can do a lot of songs that I can’t just do when I know I have kids in the audience, like KID kids… like babies.
And that’s why, on the Oak Park record, there was a “Parental Advisory” sticker on that album. I think I gave plenty of precursor to what could be on that record, not necessarily anything “explicit” in the conventional context, where they think that means cussing… but I was saying “the subject matter, and what was being addressed in a very blatant way, might be too much for younger listeners.” It might be too early to introduce them to some things, but for some kids it may not be too early.
I think that ages 12 and 13– they know a lot more than what we think they know. And they need somebody who IS saved to give them the Biblical prospect and perspective of what this thing is really all about, that this is real life, that these are the challenges that we’ll have to face. And I don’t think I’d have to address it had it been addressed already…
EJ: Uh oh. *laughs*
TON3X™: *laughs* But no one else seems to be talking about it, so that’s my lane.
EJ: Now, you mentioned not cussing on the Oak Park album, but you DID do some cussing later, right?
TON3X™: Yes, I did. I certainly did. I cussed A LOT of people out. But that was not, in any way, shape or form, about me wanting to have a liquor license to say and do what I wanted to do. That came from a real place.
EJ: I believe that.
TON3X™: That came from a place of truth. That song was co-written by people who brought that and provoked that out of me. Does it justify it and make it right? No, of course it wasn’t as expedient as it should be. But, it was real.
And I’m one of those artists that’s not gonna fake, no matter if I’m in the valley or on the mountaintop– it just is what it is. And you can’t keep messing with people and their families, saying things and blogging anonymously… saying all kinds of stuff while people are STILL grieving and recovering from some of the most traumatic times in their lives… and not think that, one of those days, I’m just gonna lose it. And I lost it. For a day.
But the next day, I was fine. I was at Baskin-Robbins having ice cream while everyone else was still stuck on it.
EJ: *laughing* Not Baskin-Robbins.
TON3X™: And everyone’s thing was “how do you just do that and not have any conviction?” I’m like… it’s not about conviction, it’s about relative truth. It’s like saying “let’s only put the GOOD moments in the Bible and extract all of the other failures that David had, or all of the other issues that took place.” They were left in there, for contextual purposes, to show the contrast between what GOD does and the human struggle of fear and abasement.
EJ: That’s true.
TON3X™: If you look at Peter, this guy cussed too, but the church was built upon him. The church was founded upon the same guy who denied Jesus three times and cussed. Now, that doesn’t make it okay for people to cuss, but it’s saying that God UNDERSTANDS the nature of the human condition, which is WHY we need a Savior, WHY we need the cross, and WHY we need restoration and redemption with meekness.
And I think it just basically opened up a door for people to say “oh my God… this person, as much as we want to make him a hero and put him on a platform, I’m now aware that everything I say and write and do, I need to be more conscious of how I write it, and what I say and do.” Because we don’t think these people are reading this. We don’t think Chris Brown and Rihanna read this stuff. We don’t think Beyonce and Michael Jackson and Britney Spears read this stuff. But our families are affected by this and people don’t think of that way. They just think “well, they’re public, so we get to attack.” No, you don’t. I’m a human, too. I’m a human, too.
Once I got that venom outta my system, I sent out an apology letter. And the apology letter was specifically for the way it came out. I wasn’t apologizing for my truth.
EJ: It was the expression of it?
TON3X™: Yeah, apologizing for the way it was conveyed.
EJ: Wow. That’s real talk. You know, you’ve been an incredibly controversial artist in the gospel community for several reasons—your style, your lyrics, your approach. How do you respond, or do you even feel the need to respond to critics who chalk up your image to someone who just wants attention and does things for shock value?
* * *
Yeah, so y’all are gonna have to wait to hear his response to THAT question. 
Make sure y’all check out Part 2 of this deal TOMORROW! He’ll talk about media sensationalism in his career, how his music should really be categorized, and MUCH more.
In the meantime, THOUGHTS anyone??? I KNOWWWW y’all got something to say. Lemme hear it!
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March 31st, 2009 on 5:16 pm
Thanks EJ. I really enjoyed this part of your chat with TON3X. I am one of the biggest TON3X fans ever so I appreciate his music, his ministry and him as a person. I feel as though his new album, UNSPOKEN is a musical masterpiece. I wonder how TON3X has dealt with brothers and sisters from his home church. Does he still want to pastor or was that even true in the beginning?
March 31st, 2009 on 6:07 pm
We need more artist like TON3X, in the gospel industry, to shake up the monotony of gospel music. Everybody sounds alike. Everybody uses the same gospel music jargon that ordinary folks aren’t familiar with. If I listen to a gospel music station all day, I could simplify it to one song that would go a little something like this: I’ve got a story to tell ya bout some things that I’ve been through but I’m healed. So, enlarge my territory to love him like I do because I never would’ve made it without you. Just stand out, be still and know that God is nigh. I’m tired of it all. I’ve heard it all. So, it would be nice to hear something different. Bring it on TON3X!
March 31st, 2009 on 6:47 pm
@Brian: YES, he’s still pastoring. And we’ll chat about that in TOMORROW’S section, too!
@Melody: You’re HILARIOUS for that “medley.” LOL
March 31st, 2009 on 7:21 pm
I’ll be back tomorrow for the second half!
March 31st, 2009 on 8:09 pm
Great interview! Can’t wait to read the rest!
March 31st, 2009 on 8:54 pm
yes most definitely, I will be back on tomorrow.
March 31st, 2009 on 10:12 pm
Good look doing this interview with one of my fav’s Ton3x EJ, I really enjoyed the 1st part, I was one of those few who still supported Ton3x in the church even while i was being looked down on because i still listened to his music back during his storm.. it’s funny now those same ones who frowned at me because i was still blastin everything he put out including Naked Truth mixtape are back ON now lololol
whether u love’em or hate him he’s one of the realest in da industry and no one can take that from him
I’m bout to see this dude on Thurs! he’ll be in pittsburgh
can’t wait for pt.2
Thanks again EJ
March 31st, 2009 on 10:25 pm
Well that was a nice interview with Ton3x. I do agree that he is different and brings freshness to the gospel genre. Lol at the ealier post of the same songs over and over that was very funny. Ton3x brings us music and not just one good track like these other artists are giving us. I look forward to reading the other portion of the interview.
March 31st, 2009 on 11:30 pm
@EJ you are teasing big time dude!!!! Ton3x is not a gospel artist, he is what you call a kingdom artist. He is truly anointed and is telling the truth about the effects of bloggers and people. Part of the reason that people fail to get the real essence of God is because we (Christians) are so caught up in the titles not realizing that the pastor, deacon, first lady, mother are people just like us. They have struggles just like we do. So in essence we actually make our leaders gods because we don’t understand or accept the fact that they are human and our relationship with God has nothing to do with them, but because we are natural minded and not kingdom minded we cause sinners(the unsaved) to wonder what the heck is going on and who is this God really because of our actions. A question to ask yourself daily: Will God be pleased with me if I did/said/thought this? and Can people see Jesus through me? any whooo— the second part please!!!
April 1st, 2009 on 12:07 am
i tried to listen to the music WHILE i read the interview. my head’s still spinning. wow… the guy’s music is so full of ideas.
April 1st, 2009 on 7:02 am
@Chad: thanx, man! when u go to see him on thursday, wait until everyone is reeeeaally quiet in the audience and SCREAM out “I READ YO’ INTERVIEW ON GOSPELPUNDIT!” I’d appreciate it.
No, for real, lemme know how the concert is. And, if you have any photos, etc., lemme know and I’ll try to post ‘em for folks to see.
@DD: ‘preciate your comments. and welcome!
@Alaina: i’m ABSOLUTELY teasin’.
and, AMEN to your comments.
@Byron: you’re nutz. why would you even DARE to do something like that?! LOL
April 1st, 2009 on 8:14 am
Hey EJ how can I get in touch with you? I would like to talk to you about somethings. Please let me know Also great interview with Ton3x he is still beyond his yrs. I wonder what ever happend to the work he supposedly did with Kim Burrell?
April 1st, 2009 on 8:20 am
@Deon: email me at ej@gospelpundit.com.
April 1st, 2009 on 1:12 pm
Great interview! Thanks for taking the time to focus on the person and not just the controversy. Can’t wait to read part 2.
April 1st, 2009 on 4:51 pm
EJ…amazing interview! something that stood out was when he said that there are people that “co-wrote” the naked truth with tonex. i never looked at it that way…which means that the way he conveyed his truth was simply a direct result of those that brought him to that point. either way, i was honored to meet and “eat pizza” with tonex a few weeks ago in philly and i have to say that he’s the realest dude i’ve met in this industry…ever. this album is blazin as well as his ministry. can’t wait for part 2 LOL!
April 1st, 2009 on 7:49 pm
Now that I’ve read this interview I understand why controversy was stired up on Ton3x’s outburst. I can’t say that i would have came out the way he did but different ppl have different ways of venting what they feel and that was his way. I can say that listening to his music that there wasn’t a direct point that he was trying to get across, and I think that the problem with some ppl is that we look to music for answers to everyday problems instead of just sometimes just taking it and sitting back to relax enjoy and have fun. I don’t feel that there is nothing wrong with that. I am also one for disecting music and one of my favorite was BLEND, I didn’t get the album yet but I’ve listened to it and it explained alot about the person that Ton3x is and can relate to others not fitting in with particular crowds. Trust me, I’m one myself. I do commend Ton3x for allowing himself to look past the past and being able to move on and not let the media, critics or whom ever say what they want to say about him, bother him anymore. That’s been dead and gone. He’s continually growing and dispite the divorce between him and MRS TONEX, I believe there may be another chance especially after listening to her interview about a year or so ago. NOT SAYING THAT SHE SAID THAT. I just have an inkling in my spirit that with prayer and time, things will change.
Congradulations on your new album TON3X, when I do get enough money to sow into your ministry with purchasing your new album, i will do so. Until then, be blessed and encouraged and allow God to MAKE YOU OVER as time goes by. U R truly UNIQUE in your own way and nobody can touch the gift that God has given to you and boldly put it in the open where it atracts the crowds that no other artist in the Gospel industry has.
With Blessings
Aloha
Carmen
April 1st, 2009 on 8:22 pm
@Carmen: Welcome and thanks for your comments!
@a-nat: That whole “co-written” part was deep, right? I loved it when he said it, too! And… eatin’ pizza?! Lucky.
@Sydney: Thanks for the support!
April 2nd, 2009 on 8:58 am
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this interview! I LOVE U TOO TON3X U ALREADY KNOW! I WILL BE KEEPIN’ MUH EYEZZZ OPEN 4 THE NEXT PART!
-MONTRIA
April 2nd, 2009 on 9:05 am
@Montria: WELCOME to the site! Wait no more… the second part is up now: http://www.gospelpundit.com
April 2nd, 2009 on 11:38 am
Can’t wait to hear the new project but I must say I was a little scared of the cd cover.
April 2nd, 2009 on 12:34 pm
Great interview! Been a huge fan of Ton3x for a long time,love his work and have loved kind of watching him grow through his music…
April 2nd, 2009 on 3:18 pm
Thanks EJ! I’m a huuuuuuuuge supporter of Tonex!!! : ))
There is a Street Team Myspace for all of the REAL FANS/ SUPPORTERS, 2 become a part of! Check it out when U get a chance: http://www.myspace.com/tonexstreetteam
I’m looking forward to the 2nd part of the interview! AWESOME JOB!
-Montria
April 2nd, 2009 on 3:19 pm
OH, OK, I just read the other message LOL! I just noticed the second part is up! Thanks 4 letting me know !
April 3rd, 2009 on 5:37 pm
Wow! I really liked this interview. I have always admired Tonexs realness. It is so sad how many people in the body of Christ do not know how to be real, honest, transparent and upfront. Sadly it seems like many people in the body are driven by perfection, forgetting that Christ died to save imperfect sinners not perfect saints. I hope that Tonex’s album does well. I think he is a brilliant artist, relevant and very sincere and honest. Tonex does a great job of presenting the gospel in a very relevant way. His music is just like a book I just read entitled “The Sound Of The Word Of God” by Shicreta Murray. This book really does a great job of painting an approachable picture of Jesus outside of the box of religion. Please feel free to check out this book at http://www.passion-4-purpose.com. God bless you EJ for doing such a wonderful job in this interview!
April 4th, 2009 on 9:30 am
@Tish and @Tiffany: WELCOME! Thanks for your comments. Tonex is a phenomenal artist. His approach has often turned folks off from his ministry, but I think the effectiveness of his ministry– for those who he’s been called to– is undeniable!
April 8th, 2009 on 9:43 am
Hey EJ!
Could I email you about a few questions that I have? I didn’t want to post it as a blog, I thought that would be sort of inappropriate and I wanted your permission first.
Ok, on to the next order of business (LOL) Mr. TON3X ..
.. he came to my former church for a youth conference where as I was on staff at the time as the Youth Music Director and let me just say this (I’ll try to keep it as brief as possible ..), he’s more relavant than what I believe people can even understand. The bible says it this way “No power is given but, by God.” The very fact that God has allowed him to dare I say achieve the power or influence if you will, that he has is screaming that God knows what he’s doing and any and all that have an issue with it should consult God about it! I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that in my time with TON3X at my former church (really I think it’s sort of pathetic that I even have to refer to a church as a “former” as if it’s a corporation or busniess but, that’s a completely different blog … lol) I realized that I can see muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch of myself in him and vis versa. From his, musical thought process, conversation, candidness and really over all demeanor. Now, I’m not sayin’ that as a promo to myself nor that I’m “baby TON3X” absolutely not, but, I am saying I don’t expect “mainstream” to EVER be able to accept who he is and what God has given him! I’m quite surprised that he survived as long as he did honestly. That mainstream machine beast is deadly I believe, it’s allowed a great deal of genuine artists to emerge but, again you must dance to its beat! Creating your own really isn’t an option not up for discussion. Honestly, I believe it’s for those who don’t mind watering down a bit for the sake of a dollar or 2(again, a completely different blog) I can 101% understand where he’s coming from on each and every track that’s on the album. I wish for an opportunity to talk with TON3X again, email, text (I’m sure everyone does) or even work with him or just observe him in song writting and/or in the studio whatever I can get … lol! I feel EXACTLY where he’s at right now because after all of my maaaaaaaaany, maaaaaaaaaany, maaaaaaaaaany, hurts, frustrations, issues, situations, dilemas, etc… with church people, I know where he’s at because I’m there with him and just want to encourage him and let him know that he is NOT alone!
Ok, there was nothing brief about that … I’m so sorry. The bible even says: “Let your words be few and seasoned with grace!” …lol, I’m sorry but, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks!” That’s what I need to talk to you EJ as well as TON3X … lol! Ok, I’m done now .. holla back at me EJ, much success to what you’re doing. Thanks man!
~ML
April 8th, 2009 on 10:07 am
@ML: welcome to the site and thanks for your comments! feel free to hit me up at ej@gospelpundit.com!
April 23rd, 2009 on 4:23 pm
I must be the only one here that sees an issue with this interview. I’ll try to keep it short since I know this will probably not be a popular posting.
Tonex claims he doesn’t even know himself. All Christians should know who they are because when they excepted Him as their Savior they were given the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). The Holy Spirit now resides in us (1 Cor 2:12) and we have a new identity in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). With that being said I don’t understand how you don’t know yourself. You know “who” you are by knowing “whose” you are.
Tonex also claims to have “cussed out A LOT of people”. My bible reads “…be angry, and yet do not sin…” –Ephesians 4:26. Cursing is clearly a sin. I understand people may have ridiculed and talked all kinds of bad about you. But for you to never even repent for cursing is simply not Christ-like. James 3 tells us how dangerous the tongue is, and how evil should not come from the same mouth that we bless God with. Verse 10 reads “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” When faced with overwhelming circumstances Jesus set the perfect example from the prophet Isaiah. Isa 53:7 reads “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth…”. What did our grandmothers and mothers teach us? If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all. But let’s put some scripture on it…”Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths…”(Eph 4:29).
For the sake of writing too much I will simply state that we have to be better Christians y’all. Stop using these comparisons of the flaws of God’s elite. David killed and fornicated, Moses was a murderer, Paul killed Christians, Peter cussed, and so on. That is very well true but when Jesus died he paid it all. Just cause they did it and got away with it doesn’t mean we can. Let’s start to look at what Jesus did and conquered instead of the sin we should be allowed to do and still be used. Let’s look at Jesus’ example. He is who we should measure ourselves to, not man.
Instead of laughing with Tonex and hyping up his CD. Let’s come together and minister to him in love. Let’s restore our brother in Christ gently (Gal 6:1-3). We have to start living at a higher standard y’all. It’s not about us, it’s about the kingdom.Let’s build it!
I pray you will receive this in the love that it was typed in.
April 23rd, 2009 on 4:39 pm
@Cdav: Welcome to the site and thanx for commenting!
Just to clarify: When he said “I don’t even know myself,” he was saying that he, himself, does not know what the direction of the album is. That’s poor punctuation on my point, as the text should have read “I don’t even know, myself.” Sorry! I’ve changed it to avoid any further confusion.
Re: the cursing part, I would be inclined to believe that he repented… he issued an entire written apology to the Body of Christ about the way he acted and I’d like to think that, as you said, Jesus paid it all. So we need not condemn him, nor attempt to “restore” him… I think he’s already our brother and he’s cool with God.
April 23rd, 2009 on 4:52 pm
EJ,
Thanks for the clarification…had me scared for a moment..lol.
But as far as the repentance, I can’t say I share the same belief as you. The article clearly states …
“Once I got that venom outta my system, I sent out an apology letter. And the apology letter was specifically for the way it came out. I wasn’t apologizing for my truth.”
TON3X™: Yeah, apologizing for the way it was conveyed.
That doesn’t sound like repentance to me. I’m not trying to argue with you just state that I disagree with the assessment of his repentance. There should be no gray areas in repentance, just as it was no gray areas when he cursed.
This is what I mean by living by a higher standard in Christ. If you did wrong publicly and may have led your brother astray, repent publicly to clear it up. I don’t get that he’s even sorry for saying what he said because it “came from a place of truth”. That’s what disturbs me. I’ve read statements of regret from people in the world that were waaaaaaay more clear and sincere then what he said in this article. We’ve got to do better. More so, we have to expect better.
Brotha CD
Oh yeah thanks for the welcome!
April 24th, 2009 on 10:35 am
@cdav … I don’t want to stir anything up however I believe that THIS is why the condition of the church is in the situation that it is in. It does not SHOCK God when we do such things. This does not mean that we’re authorized to cuss at will … God forbid however, it does suggest that sometimes we like to act like we’ve never done such a thing before. I’m about 99.9999999.1% certain that you’ve cussed at SOME point in your life … I surely have … wasn’t proud about it but, the circumstances that I was in overwhelemed me and AT THAT time (growth has taken place since) that was what I felt. I pray that we would cease from judgement and just pray for mercy. As it is written: “It’s not to he that willeth, nor to he that runneth but, to whom the Lord shows mercy.” Then it’s written: “Mercy supercedes JUDGEMENT” Which is why he also said: “Judge not lest ye be judged” and of course one of my absolute fav’s: “And why beholdest thou mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”If you were uncomfortable with what he said, then so be it, you’re entitled to that but, please don’t Judge … it is written: “We move from faith to faith and from glory to glory.” In other words you have NOT a clue where is faith is now. The Lord could have forgiven him for that and has moved on … why are we still on it then? If the creator says it is so … IT IS SO! We’ve had enough of that in the “christian” (I use that term loosely) community. It’s just time to support one anther. Period. Again, not trying to stir any antimosity but, I did want to share that as I see this sort of thing happening everywhere now-a-days.
Much love and respect,
ML
April 24th, 2009 on 10:44 am
I just wanted to chime in on the cursing issue with Tonex stuff. In my opinion I think he really didn’t address the issue as far as what is making him curse. If you curse you have a cursing demon and if you dont get delivered and set free it will rise up again. Kill it now so you dont have to worry about it later. There is nothing to justify it. I like Tonex but I dont agree with him cursing and all.
April 28th, 2009 on 11:07 am
@ deon, I’m just curious to know where I can find a text in reference to “a cursing demon.” Real talk, I’d just like to read it myself.
May 10th, 2009 on 9:08 pm
I am a big Tonex and Ton3x fan. I think he is years before his time and he is a gifted brother who is creative and very misunderstood. As EJ has said, he has repented (concerning the Naked Truth blowup). That was so long ago and some people are still harping on something he did in the past, that he has issued a PUBLIC apology for; and some Christians still want to throw it in his face. I guess everyone who sinned and asks for forgiveness can be forgiven, but not Ton3x huh? Ton3x is a messenger. He is a public example of what millions of young (and not so young) people go through every day who are trying to serve God. I urge people to listen to a song called Feelings (it is on his Oak Park 9210’06 CD). It talks about many issues that people deal with who sit on the same pew as we do.
I get so tired of people judging and condeming people. Yes, he (Ton3x) is in the public eye, but those people fall too. I am so glad that we as Christians do not have to depend on each other to have a personal relationship with God.
May 11th, 2009 on 10:48 pm
And I say… I agree with what you said and I agree with what you said. U both make good points. And I’ll just take some notes and read up on some things and try to apply some of this new found knowledge. And then maybe I can use it to witness to someone.
WHO KNOWS!?!
November 8th, 2009 on 7:55 pm
I’m so sorry for being late. I’m just now becoming acquainted with the ‘noise’ surrounding atrtist Tonex. So just today, I was reading your interview and did some research on what’s going on with him and some of the recent tragedies that’s happened in his life. I also read some of the comments about his cursing and whatever elese he said. My response is it suprises me that no one has seaid antthing about being a witness for christ or bring a trailblazer for the truth of God’s Word. As Christians, it is not about US. We are saves to become a witness of the light og Christ. It is not about supporting our own agenda, judjing or not judging. No one can judje Tonex. That is God’s job. It is our job to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. I must say though, we are living in the last days and are living in atime when people don’t want to hear the truth or be held accountable to it. I do believe that lots of gospel artists, and I use that term loosely, are about pushing their own agenda and it is seen as acceptable. We live in a world that embraces everything and everybody. The only verse that I will comment on is hte one that says as Christians, we are to be seperate from the world. Unfortunately we embrace it and hate to be called out when something comes up. To say htat Tonex is “cool with God” is to say that God is okay with the choices that he has made. If God is okay thenthere wold be no need for repentance. Bottom line is Christians should look like who they say they serve. If they are claiming to serve God, then theri choices, actions and lifestyle should look like Christ. God doesn’t change. He tells us that in his Word. It is us who change and try to justify our actions by being real or true to ourselves. When you say you are representing Christ, it’s not about you, it’s about furthering the Kingdom and HIS name. NOT your own agenda. Please let us not use Christ as a stepping stone when it fits us and then when we are done and do things that don’t exactly represent christ you dont want to feel like you have to explain yourself. No one is attacking Tonex. If anyhing, he is being questioned and commented on becausse some of his choices aren’t in line with the word of God. Yes, we all make mistakes, but let’s not justify them, but understand when you are a representative of Christ and your actions don’t hold up to that standard, your going to be questioned.
February 5th, 2010 on 1:35 pm
um, I totally disagree. Tonex is not working for the kingdom. It’s an abomonation. This is not of God.
February 26th, 2010 on 10:40 am
@jasmine: please expound on your opinion and be specific as to what “it” and “this” would be. I would love to read your full, grounded opinon.
February 26th, 2010 on 11:00 am
@EJ, check out the article on Tonex in the latest New Yorker Magazine. The author of the article was on NPR yesterday and talked about his interview with Tonex. It was very interesting.
April 1st, 2010 on 7:27 am
Novella,
Can you give us the details, or sum it up? I’m curious to know, but I am not a subscriber.
April 1st, 2010 on 2:57 pm
@msshaylarenee, Here is the link to a copy of the interview in PDF format. If it doesn’t work, cut and paste to get to the article.
http://rodonline.typepad.com/Articles/TONEX.pdf
April 2nd, 2010 on 5:41 pm
Thanks Novella!
April 11th, 2010 on 5:12 pm
First of all i want to thank Tonex for his music!
I can’t believe people like Jasmine… judging Tonex(other people). I only got one thing to say…
“Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone”
Me & my brothers once met Tonex in Amsterdam during a concert he gave. We had a little chat afterwards and i must say he truly inspired me with his voice and words and i’m really thankfull for his music!
God bless you Tonex!
April 14th, 2010 on 2:50 pm
I enjoyed his past music…But let’s be honest. He’s in the state leading to a reprobated mind! I pray that he allows God to deliver him. I’m not pointing fingers at all because all have sinned. I just see the ministry that he has in him and he needs to be carful what he does because blood will be on his hands. Be blessed and thanks for allowing me to share.
June 18th, 2010 on 6:45 pm
Tonex is crazy man…….thanks for the evidence lol
July 26th, 2010 on 3:38 pm
AMEN amen amen…could not have said it better myself…