Xannon Shirley, better known by the stage name The Tongue, is an Australian rapper, DJ and high school teacher from Sydney.

[6] 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.

[13] 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.

In March 2022 The Tongue released a new single "Joy ft Inês" with an accompanying film-clip directed by Tyler Smith.

The video features 'cameos' from Vladimir Putin, Flume, James Packer, Kobe Bryant, Tai Tuivasa, Elle Macpherson, Danny Lim, Kanye West, Jim Morrison, Adam Goodes and many more.

He also toured as a backup vocalist with Sydney group Astronomy Class (Ozi Batla, Chasm and Sir Robbo).

[28] Guest performers at Speech Therapy included the likes of Remi, Mantra, Brad Strut, Omar Musa, N'fa, Sky'High, Jimmy Nice, Tom Scott, Class A, Solo, P Smurf, Joyride and Joelistics[29] The Tongue recorded with Dudley Perkins, Ozi Batla, DJ Diaz,[30] Bertie Blackman, Bag Raiders, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Katalyst, Braintax, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Muph & Plutonic.