Leon Thomas

American singer and songwriter (born 1993) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leon George Thomas III (born August 1, 1993)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. He began his career as a child actor on Broadway, appearing in the musicals The Lion King, Caroline, or Change and The Color Purple across the 2000s. He gained wide recognition for starring as Andre Harris in the Nickelodeon series Victorious (2010–2013).

Born
Leon George Thomas III[1]

(1993-08-01) August 1, 1993 (age 32)
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • record producer
  • actor
Years active2003–present
Quick facts Background information, Born ...
Leon Thomas
Thomas in 2024
Thomas in 2024
Background information
Born
Leon George Thomas III[1]

(1993-08-01) August 1, 1993 (age 32)
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • record producer
  • actor
Years active2003–present
Labels
Member ofThe Rascals
Signature
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Shifting focus onto his music career, Thomas achieved success in the 2010s as a member of the production duo The Rascals with Khris Riddick-Tynes. During this period, he co-wrote and co-produced for artists including his Victorious co-star Ariana Grande, Babyface, Drake, Rick Ross, SZA, and Toni Braxton. He also released three mixtapes and an extended play under Rostrum Records.

In 2022, he signed with Ty Dolla Sign's EZMNY Records and Motown. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, he won Best R&B Song for co-writing the SZA song "Snooze". He achieved critical and commercial success with his second album, Mutt (2024), which became his first entry on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Mutt", became his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number six. At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, he received six nominations, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist, and won Best R&B Album for Mutt and Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Vibes Don't Lie".

Life and career

Thomas in 2013

Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jayon Anthony and Leon George Thomas II.[1][3][4] His maternal grandfather is John D. Anthony,[5] a jazz musician and opera singer who appeared on Broadway in Jimmy and Porgy and Bess.[6] Thomas' parents divorced when he was young and his mother remarried to musician Jon Kevin Jones when he was 6 in 1999.[7] He has a younger half sister through his mother's second marriage.[8] Thomas made his Broadway debut at the age of 10[1] in 2003 as Young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King. In 2004, he appeared as Jackie Thibodeaux in the original Broadway cast of Tony Kushner's Caroline, or Change. and toured with the company during its five-month run in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. Thomas also performed in the Broadway production of The Color Purple. In 2007, Thomas appeared in the film August Rush as Arthur, performing the song "La Bamba", and briefly after signed a development deal with Nickelodeon appearing as the singing voice for Tyrone in the animated series The Backyardigans. Thomas has also guest-starred on Jack's Big Music Show and Just Jordan. He also appeared as Harper in the iCarly episode "iCarly Saves TV" and was featured on The Naked Brothers Band "Christmas Special".

He played a main character on Victorious, portraying Andre Harris, which premiered on Nickelodeon on March 27, 2010. Thomas also appeared as Andre in the crossover episode between Victorious and iCarly, iParty with Victorious. He also appeared as himself in an episode of True Jackson, VP. On August 2, 2011, the soundtrack album Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show was released, with Thomas featured in the songs "Song 2 You" and "Tell Me That You Love Me". On June 5, 2012, Victorious 2.0: More Music from the Hit TV Show was also released, with Thomas featured in the songs "Countdown" and "Don't You (Forget About Me)". Victorious ended production in July 2012 and the series' last episode aired on February 2, 2013.

Thomas in 2020

In 2012, Thomas started to record his first mixtape called Metro Hearts;[9] it was released on August 1, 2012.[10] Songs on the mixtape include "Forever", "Bad", "Moving On", "Vibe", "Like Clay", and "Never Look Back". The mixtape also included a cover of Drake's "Take Care" with Ariana Grande.[11] Thomas co-wrote the song "Ain't No Other Me" for the British girl group Stooshe, which features as a deluxe edition track on their debut album, London with the Lights On. Thomas co-wrote four songs on his former co-star Ariana Grande's 2013 album Yours Truly. He also co-produced four songs on the album, in addition to the song "Last Christmas" from Grande's EP Christmas Kisses, as a member of production duo the Rascals alongside Khristopher Riddick-Tynes.[12] His production work under the Rascals was also included on Toni Braxton and Babyface's Grammy Award-winning album Love, Marriage & Divorce, contributing to the solo "I'd Rather Be Broke", performed by Braxton.

On September 24, 2013, Thomas released a new single, "Hello How Are You" (featuring Wiz Khalifa). On January 1, 2014, Thomas released a new mixtape, V1bes, under the name Leon Thomas, via DatPiff.[13] He also announced that a music video for "Hello How Are You" was in the works. In 2016, he served as a co-producer for Post Malone's album Stoney.

In 2016, Thomas released the mixtape Before the Beginning via SoundCloud, which compiled eight songs which he had "[held on] for a long time".[14] In 2017, he appeared in the Kathryn Bigelow-directed film Detroit.

Thomas in 2023

2018 saw the release of Thomas' debut EP Genesis, which featured guest appearances from Buddy and Tayla Parx. The next year, Thomas earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song nomination at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing and co-producing the song "Gold Roses" by Rick Ross (featuring Drake). Thomas would also go on to write and produce more records under the Rascals production duo, as well as a solo producer, co-writing, and co-producing two songs on Ariana Grande's Positions, and three songs on Drake's Certified Lover Boy.[15]

In May 2022, Ty Dolla Sign signed a joint venture deal with Motown for his newly launched EZMNY Records imprint, announcing Thomas to be the label's first artist.[16]

He was one of the writers and producers on the track "Burn" by ¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign) from their album Vultures 1, released on February 10, 2024.[17] Furthermore, in 2024 Leon won his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for his contribution to SZA's hit song "Snooze".[18][19]

On June 13, 2025, the track "Brown Sugar" was released; a collaboration between Thomas and Dylan Sinclair.[20]

Thomas released the NPR Tiny Desk version of "Mutt" on August 9, 2025.[21]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Robin and Roger Boy "The Plan" (season 1, episode 3); nine-episode series
2007 August Rush Arthur [22]
2010 Rising Stars JR
2014 Bad Asses Tucson
2015 Runaway Island Evan Holloway
2017 Detroit Darryl
2026 Rolling Loud Filming[citation needed]
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Television

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes
2006Just for KicksTy2 episodes
2006–2008The BackyardigansTyroneMain singing voice role (season 2-season 3 episode 5)
2007Just JordanRonnieEpisode: "Revenge of the Riff"
Jack's Big Music ShowHimselfEpisode: "Laurie's Big Song"
2008, 2011iCarlyHarperEpisode: "iCarly Saves TV"
Andre Harris Crossover movie: iParty with Victorious
2008The Naked Brothers BandLeon WilliamsEpisode: "Christmas Special"
2010–2013VictoriousAndre HarrisMain role, 57 episodes
2011True Jackson, VPHimselfEpisode: "True Fame"
2014SatisfactionMateoRecurring role, 6 episodes
Robot and MonsterMonster's singing voice
2015Fear the Walking DeadRussellEpisode: "Pilot"
2016The New Edition StoryBobby Brown (singing voice)3 episodes
2017 Insecure Eddie Recurring role
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Discography

Studio albums

More information Title, Details ...
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[23]
Electric Dusk
  • Released: August 18, 2023
  • Label: EZMNY, Motown
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl
Mutt
  • Released: September 27, 2024[24]
  • Label: EZMNY, Motown
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl
  • RIAA: Gold [25]
35
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Mixtapes

More information Title, Mixtape details ...
List of mixtapes
Title Mixtape details
Metro Hearts
V1bes
  • Released: January 1, 2014
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Rostrum
Before the Beginning[26]
  • Released: October 25, 2016
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Label: Rostrum
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Extended plays

More information Title, Extended play details ...
List of extended plays
Title Extended play details
Genesis[27]
  • Released: August 24, 2018
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Rostrum
Pholks
  • Released: October 24, 2025[28]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: EZMNY, Motown
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Singles

As lead artist

More information Title, Year ...
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[29]
US
R&B/HH

[30]
US
Adult R&B

[31]
AUS
[32]
CAN
[33]
IRE
[34]
NZ
[35]
UK
[36]
WW
[37]
"Hello How Are You"
(featuring Wiz Khalifa)[38]
2013 Non-album single
"Favorite"
(featuring Buddy)[39]
2018 17 Genesis
"Sunken Place"[40]
"X-Rated"
(featuring Benny the Butcher)[41]
2022 Electric Dusk
"Love Jones"
(featuring Ty Dolla Sign)[42]
"Breaking Point"
(solo or remix featuring Victoria Monét)[43]
"Crash & Burn" 2023
"Dangerous Game”
(with Esta.)
2024 Francis
"Mutt" 6119415121728 Mutt
"Far Fetched"
(featuring Ty Dolla Sign)
"Rather Be Alone"
(featuring Halle)
2025
"Catching Feelings"
(with Annie Tracy)
Scared of Heights
"Lovers or Friends"
(with YG)
[A] Non-album single
"Yes It Is" 43 Mutt
"Just How You Are" Pholks
"My Muse"
"Deeper"
(with Disclosure)[47]
TBA
"Miss U 2"
(with Ty Dolla Sign)
2026 [B] Girl Music Vol. 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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More information Title, Year ...
List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Snapchat"
(Yonni featuring Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, and Rayven Justice)[49]
2015 Non-album singles
"Rendezvous"
(Kronic featuring Leon Thomas)[50]
2017
"Sho Enough"
(Philly Swain featuring Leon Thomas and Safaree)[51]
"Aimless"
(Bizzy Crook featuring Lexii Alijai and Leon Thomas)[52]
2018 Before I Jump[53]
"Too Much"
(Bizzy Crook featuring Leon Thomas)[54]
2019 Confetti
"Settle"
(Kosine featuring Leon Thomas)[55]
2021 Truth Serum[56]
"Lucky"
(Tish Hyman featuring LaRussell & Leon Thomas)
2023 Non-album singles
"Sweetness”
(Elmiene featuring Leon Thomas)
2024
"Here We Go (Uh Oh)" (Remix)
(Coco Jones featuring Leon Thomas)
2025 Why Not More? (MORE!)
"Who Are You Anyways?"
(Rory featuring Leon Thomas)
TBA
"Damage"
(Romani featuring Leon Thomas)
Scars of Beauty
"Miami"
(Odeal featuring Leon Thomas)
The Summer That Saved Me
"Twisting"
(Venna featuring Leon Thomas)
Malik
"Move It Along"
(Sasha Keable featuring Leon Thomas)
Act Right
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Promotional singles

More information Title, Year ...
List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Kid
[57]
"It's You"
(with Jessie Payo)
2010 Rising Stars
"Countdown"[58]
(Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice)
2012 10 Victorious 2.0: More Music from the Hit TV Show
"Come Clean"
(with Michelle DeShon)
2014 Non-album single
"PLW"[59] 2018 Genesis
"Until the End of Time"
(with Coco Jones)
2023 Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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Other charted songs

More information Title, Year ...
List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[60]
US
Kid
[57]
US
R&B/HH

[61]
NZ
Hot

[62]
"Song 2 You"
(Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice)
2011 8 Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show
"Tell Me That You Love Me"
(Victorious cast featuring Victoria Justice and Leon Thomas III)
11
"Not Fair" 2025 4323 Mutt Deluxe: Heel
"Dirt on My Shoes"
(featuring Kehlani)
36
"Watching Us"
(Wale featuring Leon Thomas)
9224 Everything Is a Lot
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Guest appearances

More information Title, Year ...
List of non-single releases, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Sing the Day" 2006 Anika Noni Rose, Harrison Chad, Marcus Carl Franklin Bambi II
"La Bamba" 2007 None August Rush
"I Like That Girl" 2008 iCarly: Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show
"Free to Fall" 2010 Kyle Riabko, Jessie Payo, Natalie Hall Rising Stars
"A Better Day" Kyle Riabko
"All I Want"[63] 2011 Roshon Fegan Non-album song
"365 Days" 2012 Victorious cast Victorious 3.0: Even More Music from the Hit TV Show
"Yes We Can" 2013 Nat & Alex Wolff, Natasha Bedingfield Throwbacks
"Can We Talk" Berner, Erk tha Jerk Drugstore Cowboy
"Show Us"[64] 2014 None Non-album songs
"Miss You"[65]
"Nothing" The Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4[66]
"Too Long"[67] 2015 Non-album song
"Fire" 2016 Finding Noyvon, J.Kelr Believe in MPLS[68]
"Teacher" Yonni #TheGift[69]
"Balance" 2017 RichGains, GLC, Nate Mercereau Gains[70]
"Zen" 2018 Bizzy Crook Before I Jump[53]
"Arcadia (For the Land)" 2020 WavelQ Arcadia[71]
"Lord Knows" 2022 Steelo, Dej Loaf Eldorado Excursions
"Patience (Remix) Eric Bellinger New Light: The Remixes
"Cowrie Charms" 2023 Yussef Dayes, Barbara Hicks Black Classical Music
"Is There Someone New?" 2024 Yung Bleu Jeremy
"Guilty" Conductor Williams Conductor We Have A Problem, Pt. 3
"New Flower!" 2025 Aminé 13 Months of Sunshine
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Music videos

More information Title, Year ...
List of music videos, showing year released, other artists featured and directors
Title Year Other artist(s) Director(s) Ref.
As an artist
"All I Want" 2011 Roshon Fegan Unknown [72]
"Hello How Are You" 2013 Wiz Khalifa [73]
"Snapchat" 2015 Yonni, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, Rayven Justice [74]
"Favorite" 2018 Buddy [75]
"PLW" None €¥£$ [76]
"X-Rated" 2022 Benny the Butcher Cameron Dean, Leon Thomas
"Love Jones" Ty Dolla Sign Cameron Dean
"Breaking Point" 2023 None
"Sweetness" 2024 Elmiene
"Far Fetched" Ty Dolla Sign
"Dangerous Game" ESTA. Marti Alonzo
"Mutt (Remix) Freddie Gibbs Daniil Demichev
"My Muse" 2025 None Arrad [77]
Guest appearances
"Make It Shine" 2010 Victorious cast, Victoria Justice Unknown [78]
"Freak the Freak Out" Marcus Wagner [79]
"Beggin' on Your Knees" 2011 [80]
"Leave It All to Shine" iCarly and Victorious casts, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice Unknown [81]
"All I Want Is Everything" Victorious cast, Victoria Justice Lex Halaby [82]
"Make It in America" 2012 Anna Mastro [83]
"L.A. Boyz" Victorious cast, Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande Unknown [84]
"Here's 2 Us" Victorious cast, Victoria Justice [85]
"You Don't Know Me" Victorious cast, Elizabeth Gillies [86]
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Production and songwriting credits

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Artist(s) Album Notes
"Best Friend"[87] 2013 RaVaughn Non-album single Writing
"Honeymoon Avenue" Ariana Grande Yours Truly
"Tattooed Heart"
"Lovin' It"
"You'll Never Know"
"Love Is Everything" Christmas Kisses
"Snow in California"
"Say So"[88] Smokie Norful Non-album single
"I'd Rather Be Broke" 2014 Toni Braxton Love, Marriage & Divorce
"Can I Get a Moment?" Jessica Mauboy Beautiful
"Kinda Miss You" 2015 Deborah Cox Non-album single
"Shake That" Samantha Jade, Pitbull Nine
"Hide & Freak"[89] SoMo, Trey Songz My Life II
"Every Day Is Christmas" The Braxtons Braxton Family Christmas
"Something New" 2016 Zendaya, Chris Brown Non-album single
"Yours Truly, Austin Post" Post Malone Stoney Production and writing
"Andrea" 2017 Freddie Gibbs You Only Live 2wice[90] Writing
"Phone Lit"
"Homesick"
"Earth Girls"[91] Jesse Boykins III Bartholomew
"Reckless"[92] 2018 Arin Ray Platinum Fire
"Geek'd" Bhad Bhabie, Lil Baby 15
"Immigrant" Belly, Meek Mill, M.I.A. Immigrant Production and writing
"Sugar Free"[93] Riri Neo Writing
"This Forever" Kodak Black Dying to Live Production and writing
"Butterfly" 2019 Kehlani While We Wait Writing
"Woah"[94] Rich the Kid, Miguel, Ty Dolla Sign The World Is Yours 2
"Remember Me"[95] Smokepurpp Lost Planet 2.0
"Summer Magic" Ai It's All Me, Vol. 1
"On My Mind"[96] Snoh Aalegra, James Fauntleroy Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies Production and writing
"Gold Roses" Rick Ross, Drake Port of Miami 2 Writing
"Crown"[97] Russ Non-album single
"Scary Nights" G-Eazy Scary Nights
"You Know Wassup"[98] Kehlani Non-album single
"The Get Down"[99] Arin Ray Phases II
"Don't"[100] 2020 Rebecca Garton Non-album singles
"Valentine's Day (Shameful)"[101] Kehlani
"Superstar"[102] 24hrs, Ty Dolla Sign, DJ Drama 12 AM in Atlanta 2
"Has a Meaning"[103] Sid Tipton, Timbaland Timbaland's Beat Saber Music Pack by BeatClub
"Grieving"[104] Kehlani, James Blake It Was Good Until It Wasn't
"Envious"[105] Aluna Renaissance
"Back It Up" Lil Tecca Virgo World Production and writing
"Not Another Love Song"[106] Ella Mai Heart on My Sleeve Writing
"Dumb Shit"[107] Good Girl Good Girl
"Safety Net" Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla Sign Positions
"Nasty" Ariana Grande
"I Love Me"[108] Russ Non-album single
"Ain't It Funny" Vory, Meek Mill Vory[109]
"Don't 4get" Vory
"All to Me"[110] 2021 Giveon When It's All Said and Done... Take Time Production and writing
"One Time"[111] MK XYZ Sweet Spot Writing
"In the Bible" Drake, Lil Durk, Giveon Certified Lover Boy Production and writing
"Love All" Drake, Jay-Z
"Pipe Down" Drake
"For Tonight" Giveon Give or Take Writing
"Wicked Freestyle" Nardo Wick Who Is Nardo Wick? Production and writing
"Rent Free"[112] 6lack Non-album single
"High School Crush"[113] 2022 Buddy Superghetto
"Heaven's EP" Dreamville, J. Cole D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
"Rich Shit"[114] Lil Gotit, Lil Keed, Ty Dolla Sign The Cheater
"Poison" Jack Harlow, Lil Wayne Come Home the Kids Miss You
"Let Me Go"[115] Giveon Give or Take[105]
"Scarred"[116]
"This Will Do" Writing
"Get to You"
"July 16th"[117] Production and writing
"Lost Me"[118]
"Another Heartbreak"[119]
"All Wolves Go to Heaven"[120] YoDogg, Cardo Got Wings Raised by Wolves
"Seamless" Babyface, Kehlani Girls Night Out
"Try"[121] Phony Ppl, JoJo Euphonyus Writing
"Snooze"[122] SZA SOS Production and writing
"Happy"[123] 2023 Princess Nokia I Love You but This Is Goodbye Writing
"Wolves"[124] Lauren Jauregui, Russ, Ty Dolla Sign In Between Production and writing
"Undefeated"[125] Mike Dimes Texas Boy
"Gone"[126] Kiana Ledé, Bryson Tiller Grudges
"System"[127] SheedTs C My Side
"Mean It"[128] 6lack Non-album single
"Luchas Mentales"[105][129] 2024 Eladio Carrión Sol María
"Burn" ¥$ Vultures 1
"Ciao!" Bryson Tiller Bryson Tiller
"My Way"[130] Charlotte Day Wilson Cyan Blue
"Last Heartbreak Song"[131] Ayra Starr, Giveon The Year I Turned 21 Writing
"Sweep It Up"[132] Coco Jones Non-album single
"Questions" Mario Glad You Came Production and writing
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Broadway appearances

Tours

Awards and nominations

More information Association, Year ...
Association Year Category Work Result Ref.
BET Awards 2025 Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Himself Nominated
Best New Artist Won
Grammy Awards 2020 Best Rap Song "Gold Roses" Nominated
2024 Best R&B Song "Snooze" (as a songwriter) Won [133]
2026 Album of the Year Mutt Nominated [134]
Best R&B Album Won
Best New Artist Himself Nominated
Best R&B Performance "MuttLive From NPR's Tiny Desk" Nominated
Best Traditional R&B Performance "Vibes Don't Lie" Won
Best R&B Song "Yes It Is" Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards 2025 Favorite Male Breakout Artist Himself Nominated
NAACP Image Awards 2012 Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series) Victorious Nominated [135]
Young Artist Awards 2008 Best Performance In A Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor (Fantasy or Drama) August Rush Won [136]
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Notes

  1. "Lovers or Friends" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[46]
  2. "Miss U 2" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 32 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[48]

References

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