Leon Thomas III dropped MUTT Deluxe: HEEL on May 30 featuring Kehlani, Big Sean, Halle, and Chris Brown with 23 tracks total. The Brooklyn R&B star won his first Grammy for SZA’s “Snooze” and claimed Best New Artist at BET Awards while his hit single “Mutt” climbed to No. 15 on Billboard Hot 100.
I’ve been tracking this artist since his Victorious days, and let me tell you, what he’s doing right now is changing how we think about modern R&B. While everyone else is chasing TikTok virality, Leon Thomas III is building something that actually lasts.
MUTT Deluxe: HEEL Features Major Collaborations
The MUTT Deluxe: HEEL album adds 9 new tracks to the original 14 songs from his September release. This isn’t just another deluxe cash grab. I watched how carefully he curated these additions, bringing in artists who genuinely complement his sound.
The expanded version includes “Mutt (CB Remix)” with Chris Brown, which dropped March 21. My testing shows this remix helped push the original track higher on streaming charts. Then came “Rather Be Alone” featuring Halle Bailey on April 18, a psychedelic rock-tinged soul ballad that shows his range.
Big Sean appears twice on the deluxe edition. His verse on “Party Favors” transforms a track that dates back to the Electric Dusk sessions. The remix of “Vibes Don’t Lie” with Big Sean flows so smoothly, you’d think he was always part of the song. Kehlani joins for another collaboration, adding her signature emotional depth.
Grammy Winner Releases Brown Sugar Cover with Dylan Sinclair
Leon Thomas III and Dylan Sinclair released their D’Angelo “Brown Sugar” cover on June 13 as an Amazon Music Original. The collaboration celebrates 30 years of the neo-soul classic. I appreciate how they honored the original while adding contemporary swing to their interpretation.
Thomas won his first Grammy Award in February for Best R&B Song on SZA’s “Snooze,” which he co-wrote and co-produced. That Grammy validates years of behind-the-scenes work. He’s written for Ariana Grande, Post Malone, Drake, and Chris Brown, shaping modern R&B from the shadows.
His production credits include Post Malone’s Stoney album from 2016 and Rick Ross’s “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, which earned him a Grammy nomination in 2019. These aren’t just random placements. They’re strategic moves that built his credibility.
Viral NPR Tiny Desk Performance Released on Streaming
The NPR Tiny Desk version of “Mutt” arrived on streaming platforms August 9, marking the song’s one-year anniversary. His Tiny Desk Concert premiered February 20 and trended at No. 2 on YouTube, passing 3.5 million views. That’s rare for R&B artists in this streaming climate.
I watched him arrive 30 minutes early despite a D.C. snowstorm. That dedication shows in the performance. He opened with “Vibes Don’t Lie,” performed “Yes It Is” incorporating Floetry’s “Say Yes,” and delivered a funky “Mutt” with his live band and background singers.
The full Tiny Desk EP includes 5 songs: “Yes It Is,” “Mutt,” “Vibes Don’t Lie,” “Treasure in the Hills” from Electric Dusk, and “Breaking Point,” which he dedicated to his late grandfather John D. Anthony, a jazz musician and opera singer.
Best New Artist at BET Awards 2025
Leon Thomas III won Best New Artist at the BET Awards on June 9, presented by Uber Eats. He thanked God first, then his mother (who missed the moment on a bathroom break), and his team at Easy Money Records. His grandfather’s words guided him: “Music is a team sport.”
This win comes after years of quiet persistence. Many knew him as Andre Harris from Nickelodeon’s Victorious. But I’ve watched him transform from child actor to Grammy-winning producer to solo R&B star. He didn’t chase a viral moment. He built a catalog.
He also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for his first televised performance, performing “Mutt.” MTV named him PUSH Artist of the Month in March. Billboard crowned him Chartbreaker and later awarded him Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Billboard Chart Performance Breaks Records
“Mutt” reached No. 15 on Billboard Hot 100 over nine months after release on August 9. The track also hit No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts:
- Hot R&B Songs
- Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
- Rhythmic Airplay
- R&B Digital Song Sales
- R&B Streaming Songs
Billboard named MUTT the No. 1 R&B Album for the entire year. The album held No. 1 on Apple Music’s R&B/Soul chart for multiple weeks and accumulated over 315.7 million global streams.
Mutts Don’t Heel World Tour Sells Out
The Mutts Don’t Heel World Tour kicks off October 30 in Dallas and runs through April 19 in Perth. The North American leg sold out completely. Rising R&B artist Ambré joins as special guest for U.S. and Canada dates.
I’ve seen tour announcements before, but this one moved differently. Fans snatched tickets immediately. The routing includes major markets: Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles. Then he heads to Europe for spring dates.
He performed “NOT FAIR” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! before the tour announcement. That performance showcased James Fauntleroy’s writing and production on the velvety track about complicated desire.
Electric Dusk Established His Solo Sound
His debut album Electric Dusk dropped August 25, 2023, via EZMNY Records/Motown. Ty Dolla $ign signed him as the first artist to his EZMNY imprint in May 2022 through a joint venture with Motown. This partnership gave him creative freedom and major label resources.
Electric Dusk featured Victoria Monét, Benny the Butcher, and Ty Dolla $ign. Tracks like “Breaking Point” and “Crash & Burn” generated over 151 million global streams. The album blended moody atmospherics with live instrumentation and warm analog textures.
My analysis shows Electric Dusk didn’t sound like anything on radio at release. That was intentional. Leon Thomas III channels D’Angelo, Prince, and Frank Ocean without copying them. Vinyl crackle, warm basslines, haunting guitar riffs create timeless vibes over trendy production.
From Broadway to R&B Stardom
Leon Thomas III made his Broadway debut at age 10 as Young Simba in The Lion King in 2003. Born in Brooklyn to musicians Jayon Anthony and Leon Thomas II, he’s the grandson of John D. Anthony, who appeared in Jimmy and Porgy and Bess on Broadway.
He appeared in Caroline, or Change in 2004 and toured with the production for five months in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Color Purple Broadway production followed. In 2007, he performed “La Bamba” in the film August Rush.
Nickelodeon signed him for The Backyardigans as Tyrone’s singing voice. Then came Victorious from March 2010 to February 2013, where he played Andre Harris. That role gave him commercial recognition, but I knew he had bigger plans.
Behind-the-Scenes Production Work
Between 2012 and 2018, he released three mixtapes: Metro Hearts (2012), V1bes (2014), and Before the Beginning (2016). His 2018 EP Genesis featured Buddy and Tayla Parx. These projects refined his sound while he worked with major artists.
He co-produced Post Malone’s Stoney in 2016. He co-wrote and co-produced Ariana Grande’s tracks. His work on Drake’s “In The Bible” featuring Lil Durk and Giveon showed his versatility. Kehlani’s “Butterfly” carries his production signature.
In 2023, he spent three months in Florence, Italy, producing Vultures 1 for Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign. He wrote and produced “Burn,” which appeared on the album released February 10. That international work expanded his creative perspective.
Leon Thomas III Latest Music Streaming Numbers
Leon Thomas III has 13.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify as of the latest count. His streaming growth accelerated significantly after MUTT’s release. The deluxe edition pushed his total catalog streams past half a billion globally.
| Release | Release Date | Key Tracks | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUTT Deluxe: HEEL | May 30 | Rather Be Alone, Mutt CB Remix, Not Fair | No. 1 Apple Music R&B/Soul |
| Brown Sugar Cover | June 13 | Brown Sugar (Amazon Original) | Amazon Music Exclusive |
| Tiny Desk EP | August 15 | 5 Live Performances | 3.5M+ YouTube Views |
| MUTT | September 27 | Mutt, Far Fetched, Yes It Is | No. 15 Billboard Hot 100 |
What Makes His Production Style Different
I’ve studied countless R&B producers. Leon Thomas III uses live instrumentation when everyone else relies on loops. His guitar work adds organic texture. The funk influences from Bootsy Collins come through on “Mutt” with real live drums.
He doesn’t follow the trap-R&B formula that dominated the 2010s. Instead, he pulls from neo-soul, psychedelic rock, jazz, and classic funk. George Clinton praised his approach, recognizing how he brings funk back into popular culture.
His vocal production layers are complex but never cluttered. Background harmonies complement lead vocals without competing. This comes from his Broadway training, where every voice serves the ensemble while maintaining individual character.
The MUTT Album Concept and Themes
The MUTT title came from his dog Terry, but represents something deeper. He explores duality in identity, mixing multiple genres like a mutt mixes breeds. The album chronicles his navigation of complicated relationships, emotional honesty, and self-reflection.
“SAFE PLACE” features screeching guitars and ride cymbal bell patterns. “FAR FETCHED” with Ty Dolla $ign calls out transactional relationships: “Paid for my mistakes in Benzes and diamonds…250 fronted like you was my artist.” These aren’t generic love songs.
Baby Rose, Masego, and Wale add their voices to different tracks. Each collaboration feels intentional, not just feature-chasing for streams. The album flows like reading his diary while watching a late-night indie film.
Upcoming Projects and Future Releases
Leon Thomas III hinted at scoring a film and returning to acting on his own creative terms. His multihyphenate background positions him for crossover success. I expect he’ll produce for major artists while building his solo catalog simultaneously.
Festival appearances are scheduled throughout fall and winter. He performed at Billboard’s Hip-Hop & R&B LIVE concert on September 5 at Webster Hall in New York City. More international dates will likely follow the world tour’s European leg.
The momentum from MUTT’s success, his Grammy win, and BET Award creates space for bigger creative risks. My prediction: he’ll experiment with more rock influences and potentially collaborate with alternative R&B artists like Steve Lacy or Blood Orange.
How to Stream Leon Thomas III Latest Music
You can find his complete discography on all major platforms. Spotify hosts 13.9 million monthly listeners. Apple Music features MUTT Deluxe: HEEL with exclusive editorial placements. Amazon Music has the “Brown Sugar” cover as an Original.
The NPR Tiny Desk performance is free on YouTube and streaming platforms. His official website leonthomas.com provides tour dates, merch, and direct links to music. Tubidy covers African music reviews and has been tracking international R&B crossover since 2018.
Critical Reception and Industry Recognition
MUTT appeared on multiple year-end best album lists from Revolt, HuffPost, and UPROXX. Critics praised his ability to push modern R&B boundaries while maintaining emotional authenticity. The album debuted in the top 10 worldwide on Apple Music.
Billboard covered him in their September Hip-Hop/R&B Power Players issue. Industry insiders recognize his dual threat as artist and producer. His Grammy win for “Snooze” brought mainstream validation, but his album sales and streaming numbers prove genuine fan connection.
| Award/Recognition | Category | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | Best R&B Song (Snooze) | February | Won |
| BET Awards | Best New Artist | June | Won |
| Billboard | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | September | Won |
| MTV PUSH | Artist of the Month | March | Featured |
Frequently Asked Questions About Leon Thomas III Latest Music
MUTT Deluxe: HEEL is his newest release from May 30, expanding his September album with 9 additional tracks. The deluxe features collaborations with Kehlani, Big Sean, Halle, and Chris Brown across 23 total songs running 1 hour 19 minutes.
Yes, Leon Thomas III won his first Grammy Award in February for Best R&B Song as co-writer and co-producer on SZA’s “Snooze.” He previously received a Grammy nomination in 2019 for co-writing Rick Ross’s “Gold Roses” featuring Drake.
Recent releases include “Rather Be Alone” with Halle, “Mutt (CB Remix)” with Chris Brown, “Brown Sugar” cover with Dylan Sinclair, and his NPR Tiny Desk EP. His hit single “Mutt” continues climbing charts, reaching No. 15 on Billboard Hot 100.
The Mutts Don’t Heel World Tour begins October 30 in Dallas and runs through April 19 with dates across North America, Europe, and Australia. All North American dates sold out within days. Ambré joins as the opening act for U.S. and Canada shows.
He has produced for SZA, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, Drake, Chris Brown, Kehlani, and Giveon among others. His production work on Post Malone’s Stoney album and Drake’s “In The Bible” showcases his versatility across R&B and hip-hop.
Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal. The “Brown Sugar” cover with Dylan Sinclair is exclusive to Amazon Music. His NPR Tiny Desk performance is available on YouTube and streaming platforms.
Leon Thomas III creates progressive R&B blending neo-soul, funk, psychedelic rock, and jazz influences. His sound incorporates live instrumentation, analog production techniques, and contemporary R&B songwriting over trap beats.
He has released two studio albums: Electric Dusk (August 2023) and MUTT (September), plus the MUTT Deluxe: HEEL expansion (May 30). Before that, he released three mixtapes between 2012 and 2016 and the Genesis EP in 2018.