Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! - Wikipedia Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! Origin Oakland, California, U.S. Genres R&B, soul, neo soul, new jack swing Years active 1988 -- 1997 2003 -- present Labels Grass Roots Entertainment Wing, Mercury Records Associated acts Lucy Pearl, Joi Members Dwayne Wiggins Timothy Christian Riley Amar Khalil Past members Raphael Saadiq Elijah Baker Carl Wheeler Randall Wiggins Antron Haile Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! is an American soul / R&B group from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s. During the band 's heyday, it was composed of Dwayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq ( born Charles Ray Wiggins ) on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley on drums and keyboards. Other members were Elijah Baker, Carl Wheeler, Randall Wiggins, and Amar Khalil, who is the current lead singer of the group, and Antron Haile. Originally, the band went by `` Tony, Toni, Toné '' as a joke, until they realized it had a nice ring to it. After their debut album Who ? in 1988 followed by The Revival in 1990, the group achieved their greatest commercial success with the double platinum certified Sons of Soul in 1993. Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! disbanded after the release of their fourth album House of Music ( 1996 ), which critics cite as their greatest work. Contents 1 History 2 Other endeavors 3 Reunions 4 Discography 4.1 Studio albums 4.2 Compilation albums 4.3 Singles 4.3. 1 As featured artist 5 See also 6 References 7 External links History Amir Khalil of Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! performing in Louisville, Kentucky, 2012 Their first album, Who ?, produced and co-written by Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, was released in 1988. The album went gold and had several hit singles. The first of these, `` Little Walter '' went to # 1 on the R&B charts. The next three singles, `` Born Not To Know '', `` For The Love Of You '' and `` Baby Doll '' were all Top 10 R&B singles. The group 's second album The Revival was released in 1990 and reached platinum status. The album spawned several # 1 R&B hits with `` It Never Rains ( In Southern California ) '', `` Feels Good '', `` The Blues '', and `` Whatever You Want '' all topping the R&B charts. `` Feels Good '' was the group 's first single to breach the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and went gold. The single `` Me & You '' appears on the soundtrack to the motion picture Boyz n the Hood. In 1993 the group released their third studio album, Sons of Soul. The album went double platinum and had hit singles `` If I Had No Loot '' which hit # 7 on the Hot 100, `` Anniversary '' which reached # 10 on the Hot 100, and `` ( Lay Your Head on My ) Pillow '' which reached # 4 on the R&B charts. Following the release of Sons of Soul, the group was a part of the R&B supergroup Black Men United, along with Silk and H - Town. The song `` U Will Know '' appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Jason 's Lyric. In 1996, the group released their final studio album to date, House of Music. The album lacked the strong singles of earlier entries, only getting `` Thinking Of You '' & `` Let 's Get Down '' into the top 10 on the R&B charts, with `` Thinking Of You '' hitting # 22 on the Hot 100. The album reached platinum status. Tony ! Toni ! Toné !, with Amar Khalil singing lead vocals ( in place of Saadiq ), has been touring since late 1998. Other endeavors Raphael Saadiq released his first solo effort, the Top 20 Billboard hit `` Ask of You '' for the Higher Learning soundtrack, in 1995. Around the same time, Saadiq became a much - sought - after R&B producer, scoring hits for D'Angelo, Total, The Roots, and others. Later in the 2000s, he started a solo career, releasing two albums : Instant Vintage ( 2002 ) and Ray Ray ( 2004 ). Regarding changing his surname to ' Saadiq ' for a solo career, in February 2009 Raphael stated to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award - winning Blues & Soul : `` I just wanted to have my own identity ''. Lucy Pearl was an R&B supergroup formed in 1999 as the brainchild of Raphael Saadiq. The other members of Lucy Pearl were Dawn Robinson ( En Vogue ) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad ( A Tribe Called Quest ). They released their self - titled debut album in 2000. After two singles, `` Dance Tonight '' and `` Do n't Mess with My Man '', Dawn Robinson left and was replaced by Joi. The new line - up released the track `` Without You ''. The group split up shortly after, releasing no other material. In 2005, D'wayne Wiggins became the band leader for the Weekends at the D.L. television show hosted by comedian D.L. Hughley, which aired on the Comedy Central cable network until 2006. D'wayne Wiggins solo album, Eyes Never Lie, was a disappointment only selling approximately 150,000 units despite its acclaim as some of the most innovative writing and artistry from the Tony 's founder. Reunions In 2003, members of Tony ! Toni ! Toné !, except for Saadiq, were invited by Alicia Keys to be guest artists on her album The Diary of Alicia Keys. The song that resulted from that session was called `` Diary '', and when it was released as a single in the fall of 2004, it gave them their first Top 10 US hit in eleven years. Discography Studio albums Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications US US R&B AUS CAN UK 1988 Who ? First studio album Release date : April 18, 1988 Label : Wing 69 14 -- -- -- RIAA : Gold 1990 The Revival Second studio album Release date : May 8, 1990 Label : Wing 34 -- -- -- RIAA : Platinum 1993 Sons of Soul Third studio album Release date : June 22, 1993 Label : Wing, Mercury 24 68 70 66 RIAA : 2 × Platinum House of Music Fourth studio album Release date : November 19, 1996 Label : Mercury 32 10 -- -- -- RIAA : Platinum `` -- '' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Compilation albums Year Album details Peak positions US R&B 1997 Hits First studio album Release date : November 4, 1997 Label : Mercury 54 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection : The Best of Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! Second studio album Release date : August 14, 2001 Label : Motown -- 2011 Icon Third studio album Release date : March 1, 2011 Label : Mercury -- `` -- '' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Singles Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album US US R&B US Dan AUS CAN FRA GER NLD NZ UK 1988 `` Little Walter '' 47 43 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Who ? `` Born Not to Know '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Baby Doll '' -- 5 44 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` For the Love of You '' -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1990 `` The Blues '' 46 43 -- -- -- -- -- 23 92 The Revival `` Feels Good '' 9 89 68 -- -- -- 8 85 RIAA : Gold `` Oakland Stroke '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 48 50 `` It Never Rains ( In Southern California ) '' 34 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 69 1991 `` Whatever You Want '' 48 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` House Party II ( I Do n't Know What You Come to Do ) '' -- 19 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- House Party 2 ( soundtrack ) `` Me and You '' -- 27 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Boyz n the Hood 1993 `` If I Had No Loot '' 7 8 45 12 17 47 51 19 8 44 RIAA : Gold ARIA : Gold Sons of Soul `` Anniversary '' 10 -- 70 44 -- -- -- 16 -- RIAA : Gold `` ( Lay Your Head on My ) Pillow '' 31 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Leavin '' 82 41 -- -- -- -- -- -- 30 -- `` My Ex-Girlfriend '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 76 `` Slow Wine '' 107 21 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Bounce Around '' - - - - - - - - - - The Mask `` Let 's Get Down '' -- 5 -- -- -- -- -- -- 8 33 House of Music 1997 `` Thinking of You '' 22 -- -- -- -- -- -- 36 -- `` -- '' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Note Did not chart on the Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs charts ( Billboard rules at the time prevented album cuts from charting ). Chart peak listed represents the Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Airplay chart. As featured artist Year Single Artist Peak chart positions Album US US R&B US Dan `` Diary '' Alicia Keys 8 The Diary of Alicia Keys See also List of number - one dance hits ( United States ) List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart References Jump up ^ Specials : OTA Live : Raphael Saadiq ( Live Interview ) 1 / 4 Jump up ^ Wynn, Ron. `` Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! -- Music Biography, Credits and Discography ''. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012 - 08 - 19. Jump up ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. `` Sons of Soul -- Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012 - 08 - 19. ^ Jump up to : `` US Certifications > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ Christgau, Robert ( October 2008 ). `` Inside Music : Consumer Guide ''. MSN Music. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2012 - 06 - 15. Retrieved 2012 - 03 - 30. Jump up ^ Schruers, Fred ; et al. ( November 1, 2004 ). Brackett, Nathan ; Hoard, Christian, eds. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Completely Revised and Updated 4th Edition. Simon & Schuster. p. 818. ISBN 0 - 7432 - 0169 - 8. Jump up ^ Raphael Saadiq interview by Pete Lewis, ' Blues & Soul ' May 2009 ^ Jump up to : `` US Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 18. ^ Jump up to : Australian ( ARIA Chart ) peaks : Top 50 peaks : `` AUS Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. ARIA Charts. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. `` Feels Good '' and `` Sons of Soul '' : Ryan, Gavin ( 2011 ). Australia 's Music Charts 1988 -- 2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia : Moonlight Publishing. `` Anniversary '' : `` The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart -- Week Ending 30 Jan 1994 ''. ARIA. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 18. ^ Jump up to : `` CAN Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. RPM. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. ^ Jump up to : `` UK Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 18. Jump up ^ US Billboard Hot 100 Bubbling Under chart peak for ' Slow Wine ' : `` UKmix > Forums > Chart Chat > Chart Analysis > Page 263 > Chart runs for Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. imgur.com. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 18. Jump up ^ `` FRA Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ `` GER Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ `` NLD Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. MegaCharts. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ `` NZ Charts > Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ''. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ `` The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart -- Week Ending 30 Jan 1994 ''. ARIA. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 18. External links Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! at AllMusic Dwayne P. Wiggins on IMDb Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! Dwayne Wiggins Timothy Christian Riley Amar Khalil Raphael Saadiq Elijah Baker Carl Wheeler Randall Wiggins Antron Haile Studio albums Who ? ( 1988 ) The Revival ( 1990 ) Sons of Soul ( 1993 ) House of Music ( 1996 ) Singles `` Little Walter '' `` The Blues '' `` Feels Good '' `` It Never Rains ( In Southern California ) '' `` Whatever You Want '' `` House Party II ( I Do n't Know What You Come to Do ) '' `` If I Had No Loot '' `` Anniversary '' `` ( Lay Your Head on My ) Pillow '' `` Leavin ' '' `` Slow Wine '' `` Let 's Get Down '' `` Diary '' Raphael Saadiq Solo albums Instant Vintage ( 2002 ) All Hits at the House of Blues ( 2003 ) Ray Ray ( 2004 ) The Way I See It ( 2008 ) Stone Rollin ' ( 2011 ) Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! Who ? ( 1988 ) The Revival ( 1990 ) Sons of Soul ( 1993 ) House of Music ( 1996 ) Hits ( 1997 ) The Best of Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! ( 2001 ) Lucy Pearl Lucy Pearl ( 2000 ) Solo singles `` Ask of You '' ( 1995 ) `` Get Involved '' ( 1999 ) `` Be Here '' ( 2002 ) `` Still Ray '' ( 2002 ) `` Rifle Love '' ( 2004 ) `` Chic Like You '' ( 2004 ) `` I Want You Back '' ( 2004 ) `` Love That Girl '' ( 2008 ) `` 100 Yard Dash '' ( 2009 ) `` Never Give You Up '' ( 2009 ) `` Let 's Take a Walk '' ( 2009 ) Related articles Neo soul Soulquarians D'Angelo `` Untitled ( How Does It Feel ) '' ( 2000 ) Jake & The Phatman VIAF : 157266633 ISNI : 0000 0001 0501 512X SUDOC : 082304831 BNF : cb13933277m ( data ) MusicBrainz : 511562a6 - c381 - 44df - 9bc4 - 27be779716b8 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tony!_Toni ! _Toné ! &oldid = 801170889 '' Categories : Tony ! Toni ! Toné ! African - American musical groups American dance music groups American soul musical groups American boy bands New jack swing music groups Mercury Records artists Musical groups from Oakland, California Neo soul singers Musical groups established in 1988 1988 establishments in California Musical groups from the San Francisco Bay Area Musical groups disestablished in 1997 Musical groups reestablished in 2003 Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Pages using Template : Infobox musical artist with unknown parameters All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from December 2010 Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Deutsch Español Français Italiano Nederlands Polski Português Simple English Türkçe Edit links This page was last edited on 18 September 2017, at 02 : 38. 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Question: how did tony toni tone get their name
Answer: the band went by "Tony, Toni, Toné" as a joke