“The more you let go, the more can come to you…”
“I am you on any given day.”
Grammy nominated. Eccentric. Annointed. Black sheep. Multi Stellar Award winning. Terribly misunderstood.
When the name Tonéx is mentioned, these and other phrases may come to mind. Heralded by many as the Prince of gospel music, Anthony Williams II (his birth name) has been the topic of much conversation. Since exploding onto the gospel music scene in 2000 with his debut recording, Pronounced Toe-Nay, Tonéx has changed the sound of “gospel.” His fusion of many musical genres; such as r&b, hip-hop, rock and jazz; as well as his undeniably brilliant falsetto, caught the attention of many. However, subsequent to his musical success, it was his eccentricity that got attention even more.
Those who are familiar with Tonéx know to expect the unexpected. From high-energy musical performances; to outlandish hair and wardrobe choices; to even obscene lyrics, making him the first gospel recording artist ever to display a parent advisory label, Tonéx seems to always go against the grain. Not being your “traditional” gospel music artist is what keeps him under scrutiny and at odds with many in the Christian community. Most recently, he is under the microscope once again for an interview he did with gospel artist/talk show host, Lexi.
Since that interview, media outlets everywhere have been labeling and accusing Tonéx more than ever before. What has everybody talking is the question of Tonéx’s sexuality and his maybe not so shocking response. Along with his seemingly rebellious attitude towards Christianity, the pastor’s sexuality has been questionable throughout his career. Though his four-year marriage to Yvette Williams may have dispelled some doubts, their divorce in 2005 was said to have been the result of Tonéx’s sexual confusion. Tonéx appeared to have “come out” in his most popular interview to date, shocking some and confirming what others already assumed. Said to have felt interrogated by Lexi, Tonéx decided to sit down with HEED to clear up the speculations, respond to the accusations, and give us the real Tonéx.
Unsettled by the line of questioning, Tonéx was shocked and revealed that he wasn’t expecting Lexi’s interview to take the course it did, nor had he seen anyone interviewed in such a way. After answering her questions, Tonéx felt “she tried to get more” and that there was “something in particular [she wanted him] to say.” Claiming to not be upset by her interrogative approach, he did confess that he wished other artists were asked similar questions.
With an interview that lasted well over an hour, the information edited for the 30-minute talk show must have been strategically selected. Though it appeared to be a discussion about his sexual attraction to men, Tonéx insists that what is more important is the nature of the sexually repressed black Christian community. And not just the repression, but the glorified religiosity of the church that is worshipped more than God himself. Tonéx attributes his spiritual cognition to the allowing of God to expand his understanding outside the confines of a certain ideology. It’s what gave him the courage to be transparent and could be both a gift and a curse as he admits, “it’s easier to be straight and narrow.” The decision to hide in silence could have been made but unfortunately for Tonéx, there’s no freedom in comfort.
Not much has been easy since Tonéx was forced to pastor his family church following his father’s unexpected death in 2004. The fate of Truth Apostolic Community Church and its members was abruptly placed in Tonéx’s hands. How the congregation responded to the admission of their pastor’s dealings with homosexuality and his ever present appearance in the news and gossip discussions, one could only wonder. Many may be surprised to know, or not be, that the church members weren’t concerned at all. “I think they’re used to it,” Tonéx says, “our church is pretty raw and full of freaks.” Tonéx’s candor with his congregation breaks that fourth wall and allows churchgoers to see their pastor as a “real” person. He shares his personal walk so that others know they are not alone. He affirms that “we all have a condition,” and Tonéx has chosen to live his out loud, finding solace in the fact that through his revealing people see themselves.
Cynics and devout Christians alike may question where God fits into all of this. Being homosexual, or having dealt with homosexuality, is taught to be sinful and against God and everything that Christianity represents. But Tonéx doesn’t doubt his faith, his relationship with God, or his role as a saved Christian and pastor. He contends that he isn’t a victim of sin but more a victim of life’s circumstances. “All people were born in the image of God which is perfect and good—life causes challenges.” He continues with the notion that we’ll all face our particular challenge at some point, if we haven’t already. “Everyone needs to keep on living….there’s a Tonéx in everybody’s family.”
Some may beg to differ, or maybe some are just not willing to admit it; especially those who heard or are familiar with Tonéx’s 6-track Rainbow EP. Released last year, Tonéx says it was an album that “celebrated diversity.” This diversity might have been celebrated just a bit too much for some. One track in particular, “Standing in Truth,” features Tonéx belting vehemently about contracting the HIV virus in a homosexual relationship. Not surprisingly, that was followed with a huge response; many shocked that Tonéx may not only have HIV but that he revealed this in one of his songs. “That’s a true actor/artist,” Tonéx declares. “I wanted to sing it so well that you didn’t know whether it was true or not,” he refers to the song that was recorded for a documentary with the same title about a character with a similar story.
So what could Tonéx possibly do next? How can he possibly shock the gospel industry and the world even more? Of course he has an answer and that answer is A Brilliant Catastrophe, which is actually the title for a forthcoming album. “We may have to do another interview after this one,” he says of it. He speaks excitedly about the project labeling it the first of its kind. He feels it will be his most lyrically sound album and promises it to be full of substance, declaring it the one album he wants to be remembered for. That’s a huge statement considering he’s released well over 20 projects.
Because of his oftentimes jarring interpretation of gospel, some of Tonéx’s projects didn’t get the acclaim or support they deserved. However, he doesn’t let that affect his projection for future success. Admiring artists like Madonna who take risks with their music but still maintain relevance through reinvention, Tonéx isn’t afraid of the album’s response. He believes in the quality and content of his music and stands by it wholeheartedly, saying his music is “too dope not to like.” He says to those who rebuke his music based solely on his personal life are unfortunately missing out on a “fantastic musical experience.”
Unspoken, which was released earlier this year, is one of those albums that didn’t get much support and subsequently wasn’t as successful. The cover alone could have turned many off from so much as picking it up off a music store shelf. Arms bound behind his back, Tonéx stares blankly at the camera with cold blue eyes. His mouth is muzzled by a thick black leather strap and his hair falls to his shoulders in dark locs. The image is far from inviting but Tonéx reveals that there is a symbolism behind the picture that needed to be conveyed even though his record label advised against it. Representing the recording artist signed in 1997 to Zomba records, the cover shows Tonéx gagged, bound, beaten, and placed in a warehouse by a record label that cared more about marketing a voice, than nurturing an artist. Ironically, Tonéx doesn’t mention his deep feelings of mistreatment anywhere on the album. He allows the cover to do the talking leaving the abuse unspoken.
Tonéx spoke of a song on his upcoming album that seems to encapsulate his purpose and the integrity of his ministry. The track’s title is “Black Sheep” and speaks to ministering to sheep of another fold. There is a whole world out there that also “needs the truth and the messages of Christ.” Tonéx accepts the charge to be transparent for the sake of spreading God’s message. He accepts being a voice for so many who are afraid to speak, and ultimately saving a soul. Likening himself almost to a martyr, he stresses that he is not a victim. His entire music career has been an open diary; a mirror reflecting the lives of so many people who have yet to make it to a church but need so desperately to be reached.
For more information on Tonéx , visit
www.theofficialtonex.com or www.myspace.com/tonex.

Also, check out Tonex's latest release now on iTUNES Circu$$ released 11/17/09
|
