If Prince sung gospel music, then you'd have a general idea of the artist formerly known as "Tonex." Like Prince, Ton3x is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is also an unconventional "bad boy" who won't let the media or his fans stand in the way of artistic integrity.
After the massive success of Out the Box, Ton3x could have easily found a home amongst mainstream audiences. But as quickly as he rose to the top, the trappings of new found success were set to bring him down. And sure enough, shortly after the receipt of his sixth Stellar Award and first GRAMMY nomination, Ton3x became a "whipping boy" within the gospel music industry.
Even with Jesus as his guide, Ton3x style was deemed too flamboyant. Too unconventional. Too abrasive. And after much contemplation, Ton3x made an abrupt retirement announcement in 2006 and split from Jive Records, which received a vocal, public response from his industry peer, Kirk Franklin, who supported and respected his musical talents.
On March 17, 2009, Ton3x released Unspoken, his first release under Battery Records, a Sony BMG imprint. Upon review of the album, he managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Walter Hawkins, Out the Box, and "the naked truth."
Over the past few years you've experienced a great deal in your personal and professional life: the three D's – death, divorce, and defamation. After listening to Unspoken, I am curious to know if any of these experiences shaped or influenced the album's messages.
None of the tracks on Unspoken are in any way contingent upon the subjects, situations or life events between '04 and '09. For that reason, I decided to call the album Unspoken. I wanted to make sure that this wasn't the record that the public will be expecting to address everything that has happened. It's already been addressed – just go to Google and Wikipedia and have a field day, you know?
It's all about the music now. It's all about getting back to my heart. I like the way you framed my past situation with the three D's: death, divorce, defamation – all three of which have their on way of making you that much more of a commodity. I just try to use those things to catapult and further exacerbate, if you will, many of the myths about me because it's the myths that make it all legendary.
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