Anthony Charles Williams II is a vocal powerhouse, period. Whether R&B, hip-hop, or the gospel styling that made him as Tonex (now, TON3X) loved and respected worldwide, the man cannot be stopped. However, since his clearest address of his long-rumored sexuality (he’s addressed it long before the famed Lexi interview in 2009) has been made, his musical career in the contemporary Black gospel music world may have halted. Then, just recently, the New Yorker published an in-depth and honest profile of Ton3x musical roots, aspirations, and career disappointments that reveal the depths of his mental conflict.
Asked if he would keep pastoring [at Truth Apostolic in San Diego], he made eye contact and said, “You’re
here right now in the middle of I-don’t know-ville.” In his ministry, as in his music, Tonéx offers only a promise to be true to himself. And listeners can’t ask for much more than that—
In this third blog post about the politics of a gay musician, I wonder aloud about the road of a Christian male singer and what support he will really find in the gay community without himself or offering his music to be simply a political pawn. While not a gospel singer by profession, perhaps I should ask soul singer, Donnie, who’s 2007 recording, The Daily News, became the buzz. Or perhaps, Rashaan Patterson can offer a word, as he also did in 2007 with his release of Wines and Spirits. Perhaps yet, like Tim Dillinger recently reasoned on his blog, the gospel music that reared him doesn’t have to be a separate identity from pop music to be authentic for him.
I see such a wonderful third path of music awareness that gay/same-gender-loving/queer people can bring to the music world as the taste makers. Not just in dress and style, but more so in songs so well written and produced that they become an outstanding body of work that any artist of any orientation would be proud to sing. Many of the aforementioned artists in this blog are making that music. Soulful and, of course, spiritual.
So what I really want to say, TON3X, is that I believe in you.
(P.S. That “12″ track (referenced in the New Yorker article) from your MySpace is FIRE! Need.to.buy.it!)
New Yorker.com : Revelations [PDF]
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