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Monday 9th January 2006

Tonex courts controversy with new album 'Oak Park: 92105'.

THE LATEST album from hit gospel artist Tonex is the first from a Christian-based artist to carry a parental advisory notice. The album 'Oak Park: 92105' is the first release on Tonex's own Nureau Ink label and is a double album featuring 24 songs based on the artist's experiences living on the streets of San Diego, California. Tonex says the parental advisory notice is not a result of "cussing" on a record but rather content that "might be a little too deep for children."

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Reader Comments

Posted by Joia in New Orleans @ 22:00 on Aug 1 2010

I personally had the pleasure of meeting Tonex at a listening party in Memphis and I must say he had the most genuine spirit I encountered from a gospel artist in awhile. He was joking, laughing and VERY relatable to his fans. Now, I am a 100% Tonex fan-so my comments will favor him, always. Tonex understands this generation, his songs cut you in your soul because some of you are actually...lusting after that young woman/man sitting next to you in service. How many CHRISTIANS need a "parental advisory" sticker on their text messages? Videos? Ringtones? Outfits of Choice? Please!! He who is without Sin...

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Posted by Pastor D.A. in Va. @ 19:03 on May 19 2010

Tonex',

This is not an attack on you, but I want just you to know that I admire you for coming forth and telling the truth about your sexuality. My daughters were BIG fans of your during the roughest part of their teen years, because they were trying to find someone that could relate to them through music. You were their pick! Although now, they feel somewhat abandoned because the one they looked up to doesn't seem to be there for them and all of the others that followed them with your music. As Pastors his left us with deep concern, hurt, and regret for our daughters. I just wanted you to know this because our young people are searching for the truth and we know who the truth is...Jesus Christ. Again, we can appreciate your honesty about your life, at least you had the guts to come forward. Your in our thought and prayers.

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Posted by Kisambira Rogers in Kampala Uganda @ 14:14 on Jun 17 2009

Hi Tonex, it really doesn't matter what people gat to say, its all between you and Jesus. No body is perfect. Am joining you soon in the industry of christian music and i can already see the challenges to face ahead. yo only human. love you Bro. Rogers(King Solomon)

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Posted by Mr. Rick in Chicago, IL @ 15:24 on Sep 13 2008

Ditto Ms. Gaines!
Many of us believe we have a monopoly on what, who, and how God is. We also must not forget that Music is an Art and art to one may not be art to someone else. Thank God, he has made us individuals that through his Son, Jesus, we would learn to denigh self. I totally respect Tonex's right to create the type of music that makes him a real artist. A real artist doesn't comprise his artistic expression to please the masses. I bless and tip my hat to God for making these people that blaze a trail for those who may have problems with the boldness of such artistic expressions.

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Posted by r1ck3y in Calii @ 19:14 on May 8 2008

i find it just.....amaziing how all u on here are talking all Kinda Stuff about ToNeX but u know your hidden issues are still stuffed in your socks....What ToNeX has said is...said & done so ii guess the question iz now where do we go from here?......i know for sure it aint dwelling on the past and bringing up OLD Stuff....ay ToNex if u see this homiie u already knowiin that these people dont KNOW U......

ToNeX has pushed himself ahead of many artists 2day and imma tell u why...because he was the 1st Gospel artist to admit his faults in a public song...than turn his ass around and APOLOGIZE.....WHAT MORE DO YA'LL WANT????????

Mobility begins with Repentance "AnthoNy" said it himself!!!!

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Posted by luther in san francisco ca @ 10:40 on Sep 25 2007

AMEN MS GAINES

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Posted by Danae Gaines in Greenville, SC @ 14:08 on Sep 11 2007

People get on my nerves so bad when they can judge you and tell you what the bible says when they don't have a clue what is giong on in your life. A lot of you are passing judgment on Tonex b/c he's pushing some of you 'so saved' people out of the box. What makes us think that we can pass judgment on him when we ourselves have things going on in our lives that may make people wonder about us? We are so quick to judge others but no one wants to stop and look in the mirror. I'm am so sick and tired of the saints being so judgmental and hurtful. The bible says with love and kindness have I drawn you. Who are we to judge anyone. Tonex is human just like the rest of us. He has his trials, ups and downs, faith wavering moments, and all that just like we do. Just so happens that his is out in the open. It's like he's under a microscope being picked and poked at by us, the one's who should be lifting him up in prayer and asking God to let his will be done in his life. Yet we wanna get online and talk about him. He's gone to far, he's crazy, he's this, he's that. Man, please! If many of us were to go through what he's dealing with we may not make it! Talk to God. Strengthen your relationship with God instead of talking about people. Jesus loves us with an agape love. We can mess up, turn our back on him, try to lie to him, and everything, but when we come to the realization of who he is and all he can do and decide to follow him, he loves us STILL! I love Jesus for that. I never want to leave him just on knowing that! We as Christians need to strive for that kind of love toward each other and sinners too. We should love sinners like they are saved. That is what Jesus did. He loves us and pours out his grace and mercy on us everyday! Isn't that one of the points to being saved? Striving to be like Jesus? Quit tearing our brothers and sisters down. Hold them up in prayer!

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Reply by Trini Lil Bit in Troy, NY @ 17:26 on Oct 18 2007

I agree with you completely...look at R Kelly...he's written some of the most powerful "gospel" songs known. God gave him a gift and it works..just like Tonex. He's a man; human just like all of use. We are not fallible, we are not God so who are we to judge someone who dears to be different. Paul said I am all things to all men, so that I might win some. A white chrisian artist can rock a mohawk and it's ok...what the heck is wrong christians today. We are so harsh and stoic. Jesus loved both jews and greek, the sinner and saint just the same. Yes in his Naked truth song he cussed up a storm, yes some of the things he sai were a little misguided BUT, I dunno bout ya'll but as a christian sometimes I go through stuff that brings out that anger too. Nobody's perfect and right now Tonex is pushing the limits of small thinkers in the gospel arena. Instead of judge...pray because if God wants to use him for something He will have his way no matter if we try to run from it and go left every now and then...it's happened to me so I know. Bless up!

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Posted by Billy in Ohio @ 05:48 on Jul 30 2007

Let me first say that Melody hit the nail on the head...good job. Now, here's my contribution: Tonex has NEVER been a Christian artist. I rembember having his first c.d. and hearing something about a demon's ass......phault. Are you serious? He sung about a Taxi cab on one of his songs...the whole way through....sure, your love for God came through on that one Tonex. Here is the point. Nobody MADE him become a Christian artist. He has always acted like people have restricted his artistic freedom, and now that he has his own label he makes a "christian" album with a parental advisory sticker. Well, you know what, if that is what he wanted to do before, I'm glad somebody restricted him. The truth is, a lot of people come into the Christian arena because they would not make it as a secular artist. It is a big fish in a small pond mentality and I'm sick of it. To me a lot of his music, not all, has been unbearable for a long time because of his failed lunges at innovation and creativty. There is difference between going "out the box" and trying to be different just for the sake of it. A parental advisory sticker? To me, it was simply a matter of time.

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Reply by Tonex in san diego @ 21:51 on Feb 18 2008

What the hell are you talking about?
Yo don't know me dude and you only know what little you've heard through my music and on these message boards ( which by the way are REALLY edifying by the way ). All this time you trying to come to a conclusion about me , won't you take the time to do some research.

here you go:

www.myspace.com/theofficialtonex

I'm sure you will fid some similarities between you and I there.

Tonex
2 each His own

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Posted by MAN OF CHRIST in iN Soledad @ 14:28 on Jul 20, @ 22:30 on Jul 20 2007

Please if anyone has the blairtree road song or know where i can get please let me know. I have all tonex cd's and i jus love him. I know he is out there with his hair styles and outfits in his videos. But he trying to reach people on another level. So i say to him keep it up. Peace.

God bless.....

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Reply by Baby Blue in Bronx NYC @ 17:13 on Aug 1 2007

I got Blairtree road.

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Posted by TINA in J-VILLE @ 21:43 on Jul 18 2007

YOU ARE ABSOLUTLY RIGHT
MELODY

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