Xannon Shirley, better known by the stage name The Tongue, is a musical artist from Sydney, Australia. He has released two EPs, four albums and three mixtapes.
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 Sydneyrecord 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, who were former schoolmates of the MC. In 2009 Tongue hosted the Elefant Traks 10th Anniversary Party LiveDVD 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. His second album Alternative Energy features production from El Gusto 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. The Tongue's third album entitled Surrender to Victory, would officially be released on 29 March 2013. The release of a single, entitled "Drums", preceded the albumrelease 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 , 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 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. In 2016, The Tongue parted ways with Elefant Traks.
Tongue graduated from his Masters Of Teaching degree in 2014 and is now qualified to teach English and Geography in high schools. He began teaching at Sydney Boys High School in 2016, teaching English, History and Values Education. He also coached basketball there. He now teaches English and English Extension at International Grammar School Il.
