The Tongue

Xannon Shirley, better known by the stage name The Tongue, is a musical artist from Sydney, Australia, and is signed to Australian independent label Elefant Traks. He has released two EPs (Bad Education and "Victorious Remixes"), four albums (Shock And Awe, Alternative Energy, Surrender To Victory and Hard Feelings) and three mixtapes (Redux, The Tongue Is Dead and "The Sextape).

Biography

The Tongue is a MC/songwriter from Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Musical career

Tongue is especially known for his live freestyle ability. He represented Australia in the "Battle 4 Supremacy" competition/DVD against New Zealand in 2005 and won the Revolver MC battle the same year. Tongue's songs have been placed on rotation by national Australian youth broadcaster Triple J.

Tongue was signed by independent Sydney record label Elefant Traks following the submission of the Bad Education EP to the Marrickville-based label—the EP was a result of the Revolver victory and featured the production skills of the Bag Raiders (Jack Glass and Chris Stacey), who were former schoolmates of the MC. Elefant Traks, managed by Tim Levinson (Urthboy) from Australian hip hop collective The Herd, explained to Tongue that a record contract would be arranged on the proviso that the MC also recorded an album for the label.

In 2009 Tongue hosted the Elefant Traks 10th Anniversary Party Live DVD that was released nationally the same year. The MC also performed the songs "Bad Education", "The Punch", "The Blues" and "The Real Thing" at the anniversary event.

On 11 November 2012, Elefant Traks performed a tribute to children's author Dr Seuss. Featuring over 25 musical performers, the event occurred at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia and featured a recital of "Gerald Mc Boing Boing" by The Tongue.

As of May 2013, Tongue has released an EP and three albums on Elefant Traks. His second album Alternative Energy features production from El Gusto (Hermitude) and M-Phazes, while his third album Surrender To Victory was solely produced by Cam Bluff from Queensland, Australia. Tongue has also released three free mixtapes in the years 2008, 2009 and 2011.

Elefant Traks announced the release of The Tongue's third album on 30 January 2013, stating that the album, entitled Surrender to Victory, would officially be released on 29 March 2013. The release of a single, entitled "Drums", preceded the album release date and a promotional video was published on the label's YouTube profile. Filmed by Benny Edwards and edited by Frank Meets Wolf, the video contains visual segments that assert that Tongue is one of Australia's most respected MCs and that Surrender to Victory is the "album of his career". The video also reveals that the album was produced by Cam Bluff and features Suffa from the Hilltop Hoods.

The first instalment of a 15-part web video series was published on 12 March 2013 and is described as "a little insight into his new album"—the series was directed by Luke Bouchier. Surrender To Victory was recorded over a three-month period and involved a single producer, in contrast to the multiple producers that were involved with the previous two albums.

Following the release of Surrender To Victory, Tongue revealed that his intention from the outset of his musical career was to release at least three albums; when asked if the third album is his last as "The Tongue", he replied: "If I was gonna do another album it would be with Cam [Bluff], for sure. Basically I’m gonna see how this tour goes, it’s been a while since I went on tour, and if I get to the end of this tour and feel like there are enough people out there that get what I’m doing, then I’ll get straight into doing the next album.” In early May 2013, the MC announced a national Australian tour in support of the third album that will be undertaken over June and July 2013.

The official music video for the song "Australian Dreaming" from Surrender to Victory was published on the Elefant Traks YouTube channel on 5 June 2013. Produced by the LESMEC company, the video features Tongue in a variety of roles, including a street-based sex worker, a police officer, and a drug dealer.

Live performance

The Tongue has toured extensively around Australia since 2006 and, from 2006 to 2010, he also toured as a backup vocalist with Sydney group Astronomy Class (Ozi Batla, Chasm and Sir Robbo).

The Tongue has performed at major Australian festivals, including the Big Day Out, Good Vibrations Festival, Groovin The Moo, Sydney Festival, Peats Ridge, Sounds Of Spring, Coaster and Park Jam. He has also completed national tours with Astronomy Class, Drapht and Pharoahe Monch.

Collaborations

The Tongue has recorded with Dudley Perkins, Ozi Batla, DJ Diaz, Urthboy, Bertie Blackman, Bag Raiders, Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious), Katalyst, Braintax, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Muph & Plutonic.

Personal life

Tongue graduated from his Masters Of Teaching degree in 2014 and is now qualified to teach English and Geography in high schools. He is now teaching at Sydney Boys High School (2016), teaching English, Geography and Values Education. He also coaches basketball there. Il.

Discography

EPs

• Bad Education - Elefant Traks (2006)
• Victorious Remixes remix EP - Elefant Traks (2013)

Albums

• Shock & Awe - Elefant Traks (2007)
• Alternative Energy - Elefant Traks (2010)
• Surrender To Victory - Elefant Traks (2013)
• Hard Feelings - Elefant Traks (2015)

Mixtapes

• Redux - (2008)
• The Tongue Is Dead - (2009)
• The Sextape - (2011)

Compilation appearances

• "Counterfeit Cheques" from Triple J Hip Hop Show - (2005)
• "Corruption Dub" from Trampled - The Elephant Traks Remix Album - Elefant Traks (2006)
• Elefant Traks 10th Anniversary Party DVD - Elefant Traks (2009)

Guest appearances

• "Wrong One" by Urthboy from The Signal - Elefant Traks (2007)
• "Catch Of The Day Remix" by Bias B from Beemixes - Obese Records (2007)
• "All You Got Remix" by Katalyst from All You Got 12" - Invada Records (2007)
• "Superpowers" by Chasm from Beyond The Beat Tape - Obese Records (2008)
• "Today" by Muph & Plutonic from And Then Tomorrow Came - Obese Records (2009)
• "War Of The Worlds" & "Award Show" by Astronomy Class from Pursuit of Happiness - Elefant Traks (2009)
• "City Glow" by Mr Hill from The Feedback - (2012)
• "Crossed Wires" by 1/6 from Electronic Mail - 2012
• "The Truth" by Chasm from This Is How We Never Die - Obese Records (2012)
• "Go Hard Or Go Home" by Sky'High from Forever Sky High - Elefant Traks (2012)
• "Whoodafunnk" by Beastside from The Prelude - (2013)

• Sasson, Chloe (19 October 2007), "Shock & Awe review", 29 September 2006 
• "HR Dept. Highly recommended releases", MX (Australia), 15 October 2007 
• Sasson, Chloe (19 October 2007), "Shock & Awe review", The Sydney Morning Herald