Leon Thomas III, the R’n’B genius behind SZA and Ariana Grande’s hits

Leon Thomas III, the artist who collaborated with Ariana Grande and SZA

At just 32, American actor, singer-songwriter and artistic director Leon Thomas III has already, or perhaps at last, established himself as a major figure in R’n’B music. First, thanks to his unmatched mastery of groove – that volcanic, swaying rhythm inherited from blues and gospel. Then, thanks to the most emblematic hits he composed in the past few years. Among them are SZA’s banger Snooze (2022), several tracks for Ariana Grande, like Honeymoon Avenue and Tattooed Heart, and three songs from Drake’s cult album Certified Lover Boy (2021). He has also worked with Snoh Aalegra, Post Malone, Ella Mai, Kehlani and Giveon.

Physically speaking, one cannot miss him. He always has his black sunglasses on wherever he goes and his dreadlocks with scarlet ends. But what stands out, above all, is his expressive singing, built on melismas – melodic figures in which several notes are sung on a single syllable – and call-and-response phrases – a series of two musical lines, the second answering the first one. Through two albums, several mixtapes and EPs, the artist has fused the legacy of soul from the 1960s and 1970s with psychedelic rock textures and the narrative codes of modern pop.

From Broadway to the Grammy Awards

Born in the heart of Brooklyn, Leon Thomas III discovered singing and acting as a child. A multi-instrumentalist, he found himself propelled onto the stage alongside legends, such as American trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. At just ten years old, he landed the role of young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King. After several years on stage, he joined the cast of the series Victorious (2010), alongside Ariana Grande… But like Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo or Sabrina Carpenter before him, he quickly managed to shed his teen-actor image. Indeed, Leon Thomas III had other ambitions. He set out to carve his own path in music, becoming a behind-the-scenes songwriter for major stars.

His career reached a new peak last February, at the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony, where he performed live and won over the audience. That night, he took home two major awards – “Best R&B Album” for Mutt (2024) and “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for the track Vibes Don’t Lie (2024). A feat of endurance, as he said, for he knew the ceremony well… Back in 2019, he had already won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song for his collaboration on Rick Ross’s track Gold Roses, featuring Drake…

The global hit Mutt

After years spent shaping other artists’ careers, Leon Thomas III signed with EZMNY Records, Ty Dolla $ign’s label in partnership with Motown, in May 2022. However, his first solo album, Electric Dusk (2023), got a lukewarm reception. Inspired by a breakup and by his dog, he then started working on Mutt, released in September 2024. The album blends silky R’n’B, jazzy soul and psychedelic rock. Its success would prove phenomenal.

Unapologetically sexy and driven by shimmering synths and razor-sharp snares, the title track climbed to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. A remix featuring Freddie Gibbs and another version with Chris Brown propelled the song up the Anglo-American charts. Even Stevie Wonder personally praised him for Mutt. As for the deluxe edition, released in 2025, it features guests like Kehlani and Big Sean. In total, the album has been streamed over 1.2 billion times, and the title track has been certified platinum in the United States.

Mutt (2024) by Leon Thomas III, available now. Live at the Trianon in Paris on March 22nd, 2026.