28. Tonex
Anthony Charles William III, better known by his stage name Tonex, is a Grammy Nominated Gospel Singer who has released an impressive 24 albums over the span of his 14-year career. Influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson, Tonex recorded his first album at the mere age of 10. Tonex’s unique style and sound, which he calls “nureau” – a combination of pop, rock, r&b, jazz, soul, urban dance, rap, funk and hip hop- gained him considerable attention among young gospel music fanatics. Tonex’s debut concert performance at the 14th Annual Stellar Awards, a gospel music showcase, was likened to that of Michael Jackson’s performance of the moonwalk. Tonex’s most successful album to date is the Grammy nominated 2004 release Out the Box in which he collaborated with Kirk Franklin andPrince’s percussionist Sheila E. Tonex divorced his wife of 5 years, Yvette Williams, in 2004 and in 2009, on a popular Christian television show “The Lexi Show,” Tonex announced that he is gay. He soon saw backlash within the African American and church community and requests for him to perform suddenly stopped. That didn’t slow him down though. As a pastor, Tonex presently travels spreading a message of acceptance in the church and has been a huge inspiration for many gay African American Christians.
Discussion about this post