TONEX Coming OUT THA BOX
Denna D'Mitri

You know my other side/I can no longer hide/Let you down so many times /Sin freshly crucifies/I thought that I had a plan/Had it all figured out/But the more that You tried to be by my side/The more that I put You out/Lord, make me over…Time after time I've failed You/Pierced Your side/When they already nailed You/Jesus heal my open wounds …I know, you're thinking “Wow, that sounds like my life” right? Well, it very likely is your life, my life and anyone else who professes to be ‘saved' or ‘a Christian' or you know, ‘church folk'. The reality of it is that these are lyrics taken from a song that was written by a man that much of the ‘church community' had disassociated themselves with. A man who refused to conform to the traditionalism of gospel music stereo types and the limitations set upon them by, well ‘church folk'. His first two ‘commercial' projects probably caused the biggest controversy in the industry's history. He's back with a whole new image, brand new project and a great deal of wisdom. I had the pleasure of interviewing this man ( while he was at the supermarket shopping for his dinner ). I learned that this is an amazing individual. Talented, Gifted, Humble, In Love With God & His People, Anointed and Extremely Funny! His latest project entitled OUT THE BOX has proven to be his greatest musical endeavor yet! Recorded live at the San Diego Civic Theater, this 2 cd project is packed with a little somethin somethin for “ ERYBODY” …even the “churchiest of church folk”. From the awesome PROPHETIC WORSHIP segment to the song GAMES ( sang to the theme music of The Family Feud ), this project further proves that Tonex's creativity is refreshingly abnormal! Don't take my word for it, purchase the project for yourself. It's an investment you won't regret!!!

TONEX - The Demon Slayer
Full Name : Anthony Charles Williams II
Born/Resides : San Diego CA
Birthday : May 16th
Wife : Yvette
Favorite Scripture : Psalm 27

Thank you Jesus for giving me the patience to get through another album. You are so patient and stern with me Lord and I really do wanna please you. Please give me a clue of how to defeat myself and I promise I'll be straight. I really wanna please you for real. I'm desperate for you and I need you now like smokey no jokey…Tonex

GZ: You have some interesting hobbies.
TX: Yeah I collect throw back videos of old TV shows like What's Happening, Three's Company, The Jefferson's etc... and, I like doing voice overdubs on old Wonder Woman episodes ( he laughs at himself ). It's so funny dude, I'm gonna have to get you a copy of that some kind of way. It's the funniest thing dude, it's like a Kung Fu movie ( with delayed voice overdubs ). We changed the whole plot and it's all around church stuff, it is so hilarious!

Okay, this I gotta see! Actually that leads into one of my questions for you. If you could be a super hero, what would your name and special power be?
Oh that's easy, Demon Slayer...( he says it without hesitation as if it's something that he had already given much thought too ). I would be kinda like a Japanimation Super Hero though, and just kick demon butt! My special power would be Discernment Through Walls and Religious Façades. I could discern the spirit and intention of people.

How did you come up with Tonex as a stage name?
Tonex comes obviously from Anthony and everybody used to call me Tony and I changed it to Tone with an E. Then Tony, Toni, Tone came out and one of them spelled they're name with an E so I added the X. The X made EX which is a Greek derivative and means Exodus. We all have come from something or come out of something or been delivered from something. I don't pronounce it because it's not active in my life anymore. However, it's always there and if you don't keep it under subjection it will arise again. So there's a little bit of Tonex in us all basically because we're all an EX something.

Ok, now you know the "church folk" are going to have something to say about that! Like uh huh honey, there ain't no Tonex in me!
I know ( as we both laugh ) “church folk” see no need for repentance cause they're saved already. Not the saints, the "Church Folk", it's a whole breed on it's own!

But you know what? I really believe a lot of people are gonna come around with this album and really see the heart of me. I've gotten apologies and stuff already just from " Lord Make Me Over ". It's providing education to the body also, like would ya'll quit before you miss out on somebody who God could totally use to deliver you? But because it doesn't look like what you're used to you reject it, and it could be exactly what you needed. So basically it's trying to open up their minds a little bit more. And " Out The Box " does not mean out the box of like religion or tradition. It means out the box of my own persona. Cause people have been like, Oh he's coming out of the box of tradition , and I'm like no that's not what that is. It's me coming out of my own image or my own persona.

This is your 3rd album right?

Well, it's actually my 3rd commercial album but my 5th album. I've done two independently. But, this is my first live recording.

What was that experience like?
I was just thinking about that before I came into the grocery store ( I told ya'll he was grabbing stuff for dinner...lol ). I was listening to the album and all those feelings kind of came back of, you know, what happened that night. It was just unreal how 3,700 people… ( he pauses and sighs reflectively ). I mean if the Fire Marshall had come in we would have gotten shut down. I mean with, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Sheila E, the energy was just unreal. At like 2:00 - 3:00 there were already like 4 or 5 hundred people standing outside and it didn't start till 8pm . So like around 5:30 or 6 we had the whole downtown area just stopped. Uh, I was very nervous, but nervous because of the anticipation and wondering would this live up to what people thought it would be. There have been so many rumors about me doing live records and a lot of people said "Oh it's just gonna be another praise and worship record". And a lot of people thought I was just jumping on the trend. Which, it is a trend. I hate to say it but it is trendy right now. But if you're not sanctioned by the Holy Spirit it doesn't really matter if you do one it's still not gonna work. So that's definitely something I didn't wanna do just to do it. So it's praise & worship true enough, but it's not just praise & worship. That has it's on section. The album has 8 sections. Disc 1 is High Energy, Dance Rock, Progressive Gospel, Tonex ThrowBacks and Studio A. Disc 2 is Dance Praise, Prophetic Worship, Grafffiti Hip Hop and Studio B. So it's a Gigantic Musical Smorgasbord that is very eclectic and diverse in taste to the point that I'll go as far as to say, and I hear people say this all the time, Oh there's something on there for everybody, and there really isn't. But, on this project there really is something for everybody.

I caught your concert in Detroit when you were at Greater Grace. That was my first time seeing you in concert and I was not prepared for what happened that night.
Neither was I!!! ( he interrupts enthusiastically), I'm sorry go ahead and finish.

No it's ok, you go ahead.
No you finish cause you may be about to say what I'm thinking. ( we both laugh and I continue with my comments )

Well, I mean it was a very unique experience and I was only accustomed to seeing you looking like your cd covers or what I would hear from people who saw you on TV awards shows and things like that ( he's laughing at me in the background ) but I always loved your voice and I mean I loved your projects so I was like I'm going to this concert and I don't care what he looks like. And of course "church folk" tried to discourage me from going because "he doesn't LOOK saved", but when I got there and experienced the anointing for myself and to see people running to the alter while you were singing prophetically I was blown away. I mean it was just phenomenal!
That section that I referred to as the Prophetic Worship on this album is just like what you experienced that night. That night was really the 2nd week of the beginning of my 30 day consecration. That's why it was so potent because there was none of me in that, I mean literally the Lord just kinda went around my plans and worked through me that way. It was just freestyle prophetic worship, you know what I mean? As a matter of fact I had just cut my hair before that too.

Really? What motivated you to do such a drastic change in your image?
It was totally the Holy Spirit. I was sitting up watching TBN and I think Juanita Bynum was speaking. And she was talking about how we have to tap into the spirit realm now if we're gonna find out what the next shift of God is. And the Lord said right then, Do you want me to take you to the next dimension, and I was like Yeah! Then He said, Are you willing to lose your complete identity for it? And I said Yeah, what does that include? And He said, Are you willing to shed what you've been growing for four years? And I said Yea Lord! So He told me to cut my hair and go on a 30 day consecration, fast and sabbatical, and I just totally rededicated my life, my ministry and everything that I thought I was to Him. I just pulled back and He told me that He would launch me forward. And every since that time that's what's happened. He's told me what to wear, what not to wear, what to say, what to do. Basically saying you've already established that you've been fighting the "religious system" for the last five or six years now what do you have to say? So now your job is to turn the hearts of the people back to me, so MY agenda was shifted in a matter of a few minutes.

That's funny because I've had conversations with various people who always wanna talk about your image but they can't deny the fact that you are so gifted and so talented and yes even anointed. So immediately when I said I'm interviewing Tonex, people started tripping! Like ask him this and ask him that and these are like the "churchy churchy people". And I would tell them if you didn't trip so much about his image that it really wouldn't be a big deal. It's like when you tell your kid they can't have something or don't do something, well that is exactly the thing they want the most!
Right! And, it's not like I'm trying to be like that it's just always been me. If they had known me as a kid they would know that I've always been different. I went through hell just for being my own person in school and stuff. It was very difficult for me growing up. It's not that I'm trying to create a shock value, it's just that I might feel like Neo Soul one day, Japanese another day and Corporate another day. But God gets glory out of my uniqueness. He didn't want me to be like everybody else. He doesn't want us to all be like each other. That would be Whack! I think if I was white it really wouldn't matter. It's just the fact that I am a young black male and that's just not typical except for Prince or Lenny Kravitz or someone on that type of level…and they're not gospel. There are three stereotypes that say what I'm supposed to be and since I don't fit into them then I'm weird, I'm demonic or I'm gay! I think that's just an unfair assessment of the totality of who I am as a human being. So I said well whatever it takes for the United States to finally get me, if that means I gotta pull back, so be it Lord. And that's what's happened because for some people it was just a distraction and I wanna win them over too. So I'm willing to make some concessions. But, the concessions that I've made have not compromised the essence of who I am. People had tried to force me into suits before and I was like no, NO I'm not feelin that! But, when the Lord said to start doin it and I had actually grown into that for this season of what He has me in, it felt right! So now the doors have opened and people see me on BET's Celebration of Gospel and NOW he's saved and NOW he's given his life to the Lord. And I'm like well noooo, actually I'm the same Cat now I just wear something a little bit different.

How old were you when you started singing?
Uh three, but I wouldn't sing publicly until I was like 13. I sang a couple of times like at church but the whole time I would have my eyes closed because I was so afraid of people....where in the world is the cabbage???

Huh? ( I ask, confused at first and then I remember, the brotha is at the grocery store...Okay? )
Excuse me, can you help me? Where would the cabbage be? I'm sorry Dee , I've just been going around in circles trying to find the cabbage...

Uh huh, you know I'm putting all of this in my interview right?
Oh you have to, cause this it too funny, I told you I don't shop. My wife does it...

(Ms. Tonex interrupts right on que…): Baby? Baby? Oh Dee excuse me for interrupting, but I also need some uh buttermilk, and that's in the dairy section. Now, the cabbage will be over where the greens are.

Oh I see it! You want green or red cabbage?

Well, do you wanna try red cabbage tonight?

No no no no no no no, I wanna do what I've been doing.

Not adventurous in the food area huh? ( hard to believe that there's an area that this guy won't tackle ).
No girl, not at all. He likes what he likes and don't try to change up on him….

Are you supposed to put it in a plastic bag or do you just put it in your cart?

Yeah, you don't wanna have lettuce heads rolling all over the car baby.

Ok, let me see how to put this in here. How do you open the plastic bag? Do you pull on it? ( He's kidding right? Nope !)

Oh this is by far the funniest interview I've ever done!!! ( I'm actually laughing so hard my face is beginning to hurt as his wife explains to him how to open the bag...he does finally get it right...Yvette then proceeds to tell me a very hilarious story which sent me into hysterical laughter! )
I have to tell you about the time we went to stay with Flex Alexander from the show One on One that comes on UPN (Nice plug Yvette…lol). During the time his wife Shanice was pregnant we went to stay with them for a while just to get away from the hustle and bustle of San Diego . I was craving cherries and Shanice and Flex wanted me to make them some caramel croissants. So we went to the grocery store and they told us girls to stay in the car and let the men go inside to do the shopping. You know, they wanted to have there little male bonding experience? So they asked me what I needed, and I told them to get me some pet milk and the croissants because we already had the other ingredients.

You are NOT telling her this! ( Tonex jumps in sounding really embarrassed and begins to mumble and groan ...)

Yes, I'm telling...So anyway we're thinking all they need to get is three items. Some cherries, pet milk and croissants and come on back out. They were in there for about 40 minutes. Shanice is sitting there big and pregnant and I'm in the backseat like what is going on??? So finally they come out and they're looking at each other like I don't believe this, and they say you guys are gonna laugh at us. So I'm like what happened? They said well we were looking around for the pet milk …

Girl, don't tell me they were in the Pet Food Section!!!
Girl, in the Pet Food section!!! (Okay, Now I've heard it all…) So they asked one of the people who works there, we see the cat food, dog food, dog bones but where is the pet milk? Both of them now, not just one of them. Both of them going up and down the pet isle looking for pet milk !!!

( As we all attempt to regain our composure, Tonex interrupts again to confirm that he's gotten everything on the list and then we continue …) Ok, I want you to just stick to singing and writing! Hello World? If you ever see this man in the supermarket, please have some pity and help him! Okaaay???

How old were you when you wrote your first song?
Uh four. It was called "Let's Just Follow Jesus"! My voice was really high then, it's real corny, but I may work on that again... ( he begins to sing in a childlike voice...and yes, it is funny !)

Who are some of your musical influences?
Prince, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Elton John, Walter Hawkins, Mattie Moss Clark...it's really broad and diverse. I have a really vast musical preference. As far as performances go definitely, well not Janet Jackson now, but back when she was a performer not a sex kitten, and Michael Jackson of course.

Who would you like to collaborate with?
Well definitely Michael Jackson and Prince. But also, Shirley Ceaser just because I'd like to see what would happen if she just dropped into my world! Also Lauren Hill and Pattie LaBelle because I think Pattie has an awesome voice, but they're not writing the right songs for her. And Lauren because I already know she's like totally into worship and I know we vibe real good. As far as Prince and Michael go I really see the musical side being a gateway for me to minister to them. And of course Marvin Winans, please tell him I would love to be a part of the next Perfected Praise project!!!

What was your most painful moment?
Whew, that's good. No one ever asks me this stuff. Recently, when my grandfather died, was very very painful as were all of the deaths in my family. Like when my grandmother died and I saw my mother's face. I'd never seen her look like that before, and then my oldest brother died the next year. But most recently my grandfather passed in March and it was very very difficult cause he was like my greatest musical influence. He was also a very prolific musician. My great grandfather played the guitar and piano and sang and my grandfather played sax and sang. My father plays keys and sax and sings and my mom sings. So it's like a very musical family.

Tell me about one miracle that God has performed in your life.
Absolutely, this is a good one. Oh, hold on one second it's asking me if I have any coupons. ( he's at the self check out counter now, in the background I can hear the machine asking him to select his preferred method of payment and he responds with ) Wow, this is scary. It's setting us up for the Mark of the Beast. ( the machine continues to give instructions... ) That's weird, pretty soon there won't be any cash. ( he completes his transaction and continues to answer my question ). One time I went to visit my brother in jail and this was right after that time I started the 30 day consecration. When I got there I realized that I had left my planner with all of my ID and everything in it. Basically I was able to enter a Federal Prison without any form of ID. I kept asking God for favor while they were processing my request. Finally the guards were like, we never do this and it will never happen again. The next time you come you won't get in without proper ID. But I was able to get in and speak with my brother and resolve some issues that we had.

If you had a platform to speak to the youth of today what would you say to them?
Oooh, 99% of safe sex still leaves 1 percentage, and that 1 percent could be you. Use your ATM Card ( A bstinence T ill M arriage). I would tell them to obey their parents for long life and what they see on television and what they think is success, is all bells and whistles and not the way to go. They don't need to be carbon copies, just be original and let God use you. There's more avenues than just being a famous celebrity basketball player or recording artist. Cause that's pretty much all they see as they're options, Drug Dealer, Basketball Player or Rapper.

To learn more about Tonex's other activities including his upcoming Reality Show ( The 1st Family ) log on to http://www.yotonex.com/tonex.html  

TONEX - Out The Box

In Stores Now!!!