Fresh off his Billboard Hot 100 debut as a recording artist, Grammy-winning producer, actor, and R&B star Leon Thomas took the stage for his live television debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Performing against a red-lit backdrop featuring the cover art of his sophomore album Mutt, Thomas delivered a powerful rendition of the album’s title track. Kicking off with a smooth jazz-infused riff, he and his band adapted the song’s arrangement for the live setting, blending soul, rock, and R&B seamlessly. Thomas showcased both his vocal prowess and instrumental skills, punctuating the performance with a standout guitar solo.
Thomas’ late-night appearance comes ahead of an NPR Tiny Desk performance later this month and two sold-out shows in London on Feb. 21 and 23.
Meanwhile, Thomas is making waves on the charts. On the Billboard Hot 100 dated Feb. 8, Mutt debuted at No. 100, marking his first solo entry. Previously, he climbed as high as No. 2 as a producer and songwriter on SZA’s Grammy-winning hit “Snooze” in 2023. His album Mutt, released last August, was named Billboard’s Best R&B Album of 2024, and on Feb. 5, he was ranked No. 6 on Billboard’s Hottest R&B Artists Right Now.
Thomas now joins Victoria Justice and Ariana Grande as the third Victorious alum to chart a solo song on the Hot 100. He also played a pivotal role in Grande’s success, co-writing tracks for her chart-topping albums Yours Truly (2013) and Positions (2020).
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