Music has been on the lookout for its subsequent main male R&B star, and that artist is shaping as much as be Leon Thomas. His sophomore album, Mutt, was launched earlier this yr and has been capturing followers all over the world. Thomas has been having a standout yr, kicked off by a Grammy win for his manufacturing work on SZA’s “Snooze.” Alongside the discharge of Mutt, he supported Blxst on his tour and launched his personal North American Mutt Tour. Mutt options visitor spots from Masego, rapper Wale, Child Rose, Ty Dolla $ign and Axlfolie. The artist, who first got here into public consciousness by way of performing, blends his love of rock, different and neo-soul into songs with R&B sonics. His skill to write down songs additionally makes him a standout artist and an thrilling expertise to observe carefully.
Sonically, Thomas leans into neo-soul, rock, and R&B, seamlessly flowing between all the weather. His selective use of vocal pitching and layering at occasions makes his music really feel euphoric and choir-like, but nonetheless maintains a contemporary and younger perspective. He’s nicely conscious of the place his rock components originate and credit his New York upbringing and oldsters for exposing him to it.
“My mother and father had been a part of one thing known as the Black Rock Coalition, they usually performed in locations like CBGBs [a famed, now-closed NYC venue], performing in funk bands and rock bands,” he shared. “My childhood was surrounded by a number of the most wonderful musicians in New York, so I used to be uncovered to quite a lot of totally different music at a younger age. Now, as an grownup making my very own music, I’m a illustration of the melting pot I grew up in. Rising up in New York, you’re influenced by so many various types, and I like to indicate ’em off.”
With years of honing his songwriting craft, Thomas has the flexibility to create music in a manner that’s uniquely his personal. He’s a co-writer on each monitor on Mutt and steps into the producer position on seven of the 14 tracks. A few of his work for different artists consists of contributions to former Victorious co-star Ariana Grande’s Positions (2020), Drake’s Licensed Lover Boy (2021), Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s Vultures 1 (2024), and Toni Braxton and Babyface’s Grammy Award-winning Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014). Thomas started his Grammy story when he earned a nomination for Greatest Rap Track on the 2019 Grammy Awards for co-writing “Gold Roses” by Rick Ross. He in the end went on to win a Grammy for his manufacturing work on SZA’s “Snooze.”
Thomas acknowledges the facility of collaboration and highlights its position in his Grammy win, sharing: “I used to be a producer on the tune ‘Snooze.’ Shout out to SZA, who wrote a tremendous tune over that beat. It’s been such a tremendous course of watching the success of that file. We knew it was actually getting massive when all of the HBCUs had been utilizing it of their marching band homecoming performances, and we thought, okay, it’s actually touching residence with the folks. Profitable a Grammy was a tremendous, life-changing expertise that made my mama proud. Shout out to SZA, Babyface, Khris Riddick-Tynes and Blair Ferguson—all of the collaborators on the file—for creating one thing actually particular with me.”
When approaching songwriting, he appreciates construction but additionally believes in exploring artistic freedom. “In relation to tune construction, I really feel prefer it’s okay to interrupt guidelines, however it’s additionally essential to pay homage to what got here earlier than,” Thomas stated. “Me and my boys, once we’re cooking up a file, like to incorporate little bridges and ensure there’s greater than two chords within the development, actually experimenting with it. I feel that strategy has helped me stand out by way of musicality and musicianship. However actually, I don’t suppose there must be any guidelines once you’re making music—do your factor, have enjoyable, and good luck,” he stated, laughing.
Thomas appears like a rockstar in some ways. He brings his guitar to virtually each efficiency and engages with the group in ways in which ship them right into a frenzy with minimal motion. On tour, there have been moments when he would stand nonetheless after a tune usually garnered probably the most energetic responses, talking to his magnetic enchantment. His manufacturing was easy but impactful, that includes a neon purple “Leon Thomas” signal and pyrotechnics. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how a bigger stage and extra elaborate manufacturing pair together with his efficiency fashion.
Nonetheless, Thomas acknowledges the privilege of connecting together with his followers in particular person globally. “Touring my music has been a tremendous expertise, lastly getting the possibility to satisfy followers I don’t usually see and seeing how my music touches folks in states I’ve by no means been to earlier than. It’s such a cool expertise, and I’m actually wanting ahead to doing extra touring, not simply within the States but additionally abroad. I’m getting quite a lot of love from the UK, so I’m excited to proceed that mission.”
Whereas Thomas remains to be elevating as a solo artist, he brings years of efficiency abilities to the desk by way of tv, theater, and voice performing. He deliberately faucets into that a part of his creativity. “I undoubtedly carry my performing expertise to the stage. I like to inform a narrative, get into the emotion of the lyrics, and genuinely specific what I used to be feeling once I wrote them. I feel that’s a robust ability I must hold utilizing on stage. It’s form of like Broadway once you’re performing in a musical—bringing a little bit drama. I’m making an attempt to carry the drama again to R&B.”
