Leon Thomas III | |
|---|---|
Thomas in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Leon George Thomas III[1] (1993-08-01)August 1, 1993 (age 32) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | The Rascals |
| Signature | |
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 onBroadway, appearing in the musicalsThe Lion King,Caroline, or Change andThe Color Purple across the 2000s. He gained wide recognition for starring asAndre Harris in theNickelodeon seriesVictorious (2010–2013).
Shifting focus onto his music career, Thomas achieved success in the 2010s as a member of the production duo the Rascals. During this period, he co-wrote and co-produced for artists including hisVictorious co-starAriana Grande,Babyface,Drake,Rick Ross,SZA, andToni Braxton. He also released threemixtapes and anextended play underRostrum Records.
In 2022, he signed withTy Dolla Sign's EZMNY Records andMotown. He achieved critical and commercial success with his second album,Mutt (2024), which became his first entry on theBillboard 200. Its lead single, "Mutt", became his first solo entry on theBillboard Hot 100 and peaked at number seven. At the68th Annual Grammy Awards, he received six nominations, includingAlbum of the Year andBest New Artist.

Thomas was born inBrooklyn,New York City, to Jayon Anthony and Leon Thomas II.[1][3] He is the maternal grandson of John D. Anthony,[4] a jazz musician and opera singer who appeared onBroadway inJimmy andPorgy and Bess.[5] Thomas made his Broadway debut at the age of 10[1] in 2003 as Young Simba in the Broadway production ofThe Lion King. In 2004, he appeared as Jackie Thibodeaux in the original Broadway cast ofTony Kushner'sCaroline, or Change. and toured with the company during its five-month run inLos Angeles andSan Francisco,California. Thomas also performed in the Broadway production ofThe Color Purple. In 2007, Thomas appeared in the filmAugust Rush as Arthur, performing the song "La Bamba", and briefly after signed a development deal withNickelodeon appearing as the singing voice for Tyrone in the animated seriesThe Backyardigans. Thomas has also guest-starred onJack's Big Music Show andJust Jordan. He also appeared as Harper in theiCarly episode "iCarly Saves TV" and was featured onThe Naked Brothers Band "Christmas Special".
He played a main character onVictorious, portraying Andre Harris, which premiered on Nickelodeon on March 27, 2010. Thomas also appeared as Andre in the crossover episode betweenVictorious andiCarly,iParty with Victorious. He also appeared as himself in an episode ofTrue Jackson, VP. On August 2, 2011, the soundtrack albumVictorious: 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.

In 2012, Thomas started to record his first mixtape calledMetro Hearts;[6] it was released on August 1, 2012.[7] Songs on the mixtape include "Forever", "Bad", "Moving On", "Vibe", "Like Clay", and "Never Look Back". The mixtape also included a cover ofDrake's "Take Care" withAriana Grande.[8] Thomas co-wrote the song "Ain't No Other Me" for the British girl groupStooshe, 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 albumYours Truly. He also co-produced four songs on the album, in addition to the song "Last Christmas" from Grande's EPChristmas Kisses, as a member of production duo the Rascals.[9] His production work under the Rascals was also included onToni Braxton andBabyface'sGrammy Award-winning albumLove, 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" (featuringWiz Khalifa). On January 1, 2014, Thomas released a new mixtape,V1bes, under the nameLeon Thomas, viaDatPiff.[10] He also announced that a music video for "Hello How Are You" was in the works. In 2016, he served as a co-producer forPost Malone's albumStoney.
In 2016, Thomas released the mixtapeBefore the Beginning viaSoundCloud, which compiled eight songs which he had "[held on] for a long time".[11] In 2017, he appeared in theKathryn Bigelow-directed filmDetroit.

2018 saw the release of Thomas' debut EPGenesis, which featured guest appearances fromBuddy andTayla Parx. The next year, Thomas earned aGrammy Award for Best Rap Song nomination at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing and co-producing the song "Gold Roses" byRick Ross (featuringDrake). 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'sPositions, and three songs on Drake'sCertified Lover Boy.[12]
In May 2022,Ty Dolla Sign signed a joint venture deal withMotown for his newly launched EZMNY Records imprint, announcing Thomas to be the label's first artist.[13]
He was one of the writers and producers on the track "Burn" by¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign) from their albumVultures 1, released on February 10, 2024.[14] Furthermore, in 2024 Leon won his firstGrammy Award for Best R&B Song for his contribution to SZA's hit song "Snooze".[15][16]
On June 13, 2025, the track "Brown Sugar" was released; a collaboration between Thomas andDylan Sinclair.[17]
Thomas released theNPR Tiny Desk version of "Mutt" on August 9, 2025.[18]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Robin and Roger | Boy | "The Plan" (season 1, episode 3); nine-episode series |
| 2007 | August Rush | Arthur | [19] |
| 2010 | Rising Stars | JR | |
| 2014 | Bad Asses | Tucson | |
| 2015 | Runaway Island | Evan Holloway | |
| 2017 | Detroit | Darryl | |
| 2026 | Rolling Loud | Filming[citation needed] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Just for Kicks | Ty | 2 episodes |
| 2006–2008 | The Backyardigans | Tyrone | Main singing voice role (season 2-season 3 episode 5) |
| 2007 | Just Jordan | Ronnie | Episode: "Revenge of the Riff" |
| Jack's Big Music Show | Himself | Episode: "Laurie's Big Song" | |
| 2008, 2011 | iCarly | Harper | Episode: "iCarly Saves TV" |
| Andre Harris | Crossover movie:iParty with Victorious | ||
| 2008 | The Naked Brothers Band | Leon Williams | Episode: "Christmas Special" |
| 2010–13 | Victorious | Andre Harris | Main role, 57 episodes |
| 2011 | True Jackson, VP | Himself | Episode: "True Fame" |
| 2014 | Satisfaction | Mateo | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| Robot and Monster | Monster's singing voice | ||
| 2015 | Fear the Walking Dead | Russell | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2017 | Insecure | Eddie | Recurring role |
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US [20] | ||
| Electric Dusk | — | |
| Mutt |
| 35 |
| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| Metro Hearts |
|
| V1bes |
|
| Before the Beginning[22] |
|
| Title | Extended play details |
|---|---|
| Genesis[23] |
|
| Pholks |
|
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [25] | US R&B/HH [26] | US Adult R&B [27] | AUS [28] | CAN [29] | IRE [30] | NZ [31] | UK [32] | WW [33] | ||||
| "Hello How Are You" (featuringWiz Khalifa)[34] | 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Favorite" (featuringBuddy)[35] | 2018 | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Genesis | |
| "Sunken Place"[36] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "X-Rated" (featuringBenny the Butcher) | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Electric Dusk | |
| "Love Jones" (featuringTy Dolla Sign) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Breaking Point" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Crash & Burn" | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Breaking Point (Remix)" (featuringVictoria Monét) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Dangerous Game” (with Esta.) | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Francis | |
| "Mutt" | 7 | 1 | — | 19 | 41 | 51 | 2 | 17 | 28 | Mutt | ||
| "Far Fetched" (featuringTy Dolla Sign) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Rather Be Alone" (featuringHalle) | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Catching Feelings" (with Annie Tracy) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Scared of Heights | ||
| "Lovers or Friends" (withYG) | — | — | — | — | — | — | —[A] | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Yes It Is" | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Mutt | ||
| "Just How You Are" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Pholks | ||
| "My Muse" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Pholks | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Snapchat" (Yonni featuring Leon Thomas,Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, and Rayven Justice)[40] | 2015 | Non-album singles |
| "Rendezvous" (Kronic featuring Leon Thomas)[41] | 2017 | |
| "Sho Enough" (Philly Swain featuring Leon Thomas andSafaree)[42] | ||
| "Aimless" (Bizzy Crook featuringLexii Alijai and Leon Thomas)[43] | 2018 | Before I Jump[44] |
| "Too Much" (Bizzy Crook featuring Leon Thomas)[45] | 2019 | Confetti |
| "Settle" (Kosine featuring Leon Thomas)[46] | 2021 | Truth Serum[47] |
| "Lucky" (Tish Hyman featuringLaRussell & 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 |
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Kid [48] | ||||||||||||||
| "It's You" (with Jessie Payo) | 2010 | — | Rising Stars | |||||||||||
| "Countdown"[49] (Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III andVictoria Justice) | 2012 | 10 | Victorious 2.0: More Music from the Hit TV Show | |||||||||||
| "Come Clean" (with Michelle DeShon) | 2014 | — | Non-album single | |||||||||||
| "PLW"[50] | 2018 | — | Genesis | |||||||||||
| "Until the End of Time" (withCoco Jones) | 2023 | — | Non-album single | |||||||||||
| "Vibes Don’t Lie" | 2025 | — | Mutt | |||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Kid [48] | US R&B/HH [51] | NZ Hot [52] | |||
| "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 | — | 43 | 23 | Mutt Deluxe: Heel |
| "Dirt on My Shoes" (featuringKehlani) | — | — | 36 | ||
| 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"[53] | 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"[54] | 2014 | None | Non-album songs |
| "Miss You"[55] | |||
| "Nothing" | The Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4[56] | ||
| "Too Long"[57] | 2015 | Non-album song | |
| "Fire" | 2016 | Finding Noyvon, J.Kelr | Believe in MPLS[58] |
| "Teacher" | Yonni | #TheGift[59] | |
| "Balance" | 2017 | RichGains,GLC, Nate Mercereau | Gains[60] |
| "Zen" | 2018 | Bizzy Crook | Before I Jump[44] |
| "Arcadia (For the Land)" | 2020 | WavelQ | Arcadia[61] |
| "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 |
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As an artist | ||||
| "All I Want" | 2011 | Roshon Fegan | Unknown | [62] |
| "Hello How Are You" | 2013 | Wiz Khalifa | [63] | |
| "Snapchat" | 2015 | Yonni,Eric Bellinger, A-Roc,Rayven Justice | [64] | |
| "Favorite" | 2018 | Buddy | [65] | |
| "PLW" | None | €¥£$ | [66] | |
| "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 | [67] | |
| Guest appearances | ||||
| "Make It Shine" | 2010 | Victorious cast,Victoria Justice | Unknown | [68] |
| "Freak the Freak Out" | Marcus Wagner | [69] | ||
| "Beggin' on Your Knees" | 2011 | [70] | ||
| "Leave It All to Shine" | iCarly andVictorious casts,Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice | Unknown | [71] | |
| "All I Want Is Everything" | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice | Lex Halaby | [72] | |
| "Make It in America" | 2012 | Anna Mastro | [73] | |
| "L.A. Boyz" | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice,Ariana Grande | Unknown | [74] | |
| "Here's 2 Us" | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice | [75] | ||
| "You Don't Know Me" | Victorious cast,Elizabeth Gillies | [76] | ||
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Best Friend"[77] | 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"[78] | 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"[79] | 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[80] | Writing |
| "Phone Lit" | ||||
| "Homesick" | ||||
| "Earth Girls"[81] | Jesse Boykins III | Bartholomew | ||
| "Reckless"[82] | 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"[83] | Riri | Neo | Writing | |
| "This Forever" | Kodak Black | Dying to Live | Production and writing | |
| "Butterfly" | 2019 | Kehlani | While We Wait | Writing |
| "Woah"[84] | Rich the Kid,Miguel,Ty Dolla Sign | The World Is Yours 2 | ||
| "Remember Me"[85] | Smokepurpp | Lost Planet 2.0 | ||
| "Summer Magic" | Ai | It's All Me, Vol. 1 | ||
| "On My Mind"[86] | Snoh Aalegra,James Fauntleroy | Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies | Production and writing | |
| "Gold Roses" | Rick Ross,Drake | Port of Miami 2 | Writing | |
| "Crown"[87] | Russ | Non-album single | ||
| "Scary Nights" | G-Eazy | Scary Nights | ||
| "You Know Wassup"[88] | Kehlani | Non-album single | ||
| "The Get Down"[89] | Arin Ray | Phases II | ||
| "Don't"[90] | 2020 | Rebecca Garton | Non-album singles | |
| "Valentine's Day (Shameful)"[91] | Kehlani | |||
| "Superstar"[92] | 24hrs, Ty Dolla Sign,DJ Drama | 12 AM in Atlanta 2 | ||
| "Has a Meaning"[93] | Sid Tipton,Timbaland | Timbaland's Beat Saber Music Pack by BeatClub | ||
| "Grieving"[94] | Kehlani,James Blake | It Was Good Until It Wasn't | ||
| "Envious"[95] | Aluna | Renaissance | ||
| "Back It Up" | Lil Tecca | Virgo World | Production and writing | |
| "Not Another Love Song"[96] | Ella Mai | Heart on My Sleeve | Writing | |
| "Dumb Shit"[97] | Good Girl | Good Girl | ||
| "Safety Net" | Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla Sign | Positions | ||
| "Nasty" | Ariana Grande | |||
| "I Love Me"[98] | Russ | Non-album single | ||
| "Ain't It Funny" | Vory, Meek Mill | Vory[99] | ||
| "Don't 4get" | Vory | |||
| "All to Me"[100] | 2021 | Giveon | When It's All Said and Done... Take Time | Production and writing |
| "One Time"[101] | 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"[102] | 6lack | Non-album single | ||
| "High School Crush"[103] | 2022 | Buddy | Superghetto | |
| "Heaven's EP" | Dreamville,J. Cole | D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape | ||
| "Rich Shit"[104] | Lil Gotit,Lil Keed, Ty Dolla Sign | The Cheater | ||
| "Poison" | Jack Harlow,Lil Wayne | Come Home the Kids Miss You | ||
| "Let Me Go"[105] | Giveon | Give or Take[95] | ||
| "Scarred"[106] | ||||
| "This Will Do" | Writing | |||
| "Get to You" | ||||
| "July 16th"[107] | Production and writing | |||
| "Lost Me"[108] | ||||
| "Another Heartbreak"[109] | ||||
| "All Wolves Go to Heaven"[110] | YoDogg,Cardo Got Wings | Raised by Wolves | ||
| "Seamless" | Babyface, Kehlani | Girls Night Out | ||
| "Try"[111] | Phony Ppl,JoJo | Euphonyus | Writing | |
| "Snooze"[112] | SZA | SOS | Production and writing | |
| "Happy"[113] | 2023 | Princess Nokia | I Love You but This Is Goodbye | Writing |
| "Wolves"[114] | Lauren Jauregui, Russ, Ty Dolla Sign | In Between | Production and writing | |
| "Undefeated"[115] | Mike Dimes | Texas Boy | ||
| "Gone"[116] | Kiana Ledé,Bryson Tiller | Grudges | ||
| "System"[117] | SheedTs | C My Side | ||
| "Mean It"[118] | 6lack | Non-album single | ||
| "Luchas Mentales"[95][119] | 2024 | Eladio Carrión | Sol María | |
| "Burn" | ¥$ | Vultures 1 | ||
| "Ciao!" | Bryson Tiller | Bryson Tiller | ||
| "My Way"[120] | Charlotte Day Wilson | Cyan Blue | ||
| "Last Heartbreak Song"[121] | Ayra Starr, Giveon | The Year I Turned 21 | Writing | |
| "Sweep It Up"[122] | Coco Jones | Non-album single | ||
| "Questions" | Mario | Glad You Came | Production and writing |
| 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" | Won | [123] | |
| 2026 | Album of the Year | Mutt | Pending | [124] | |
| Best R&B Album | Pending | ||||
| Best New Artist | Himself | Pending | |||
| Best R&B Performance | "Mutt –Live From NPR's Tiny Desk" | Pending | |||
| Best Traditional R&B Performance | "Vibes Don't Lie" | Pending | |||
| Best R&B Song | "Yes It Is" | Pending | |||
| 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 | [125] |
| Young Artist Awards | 2008 | Best Performance In A Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor (Fantasy or Drama) | August Rush | Won | [126] |
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