Leon Thomas III explained

Leon Thomas III
Birth Name:Leon George Thomas III
Birth Date:1 August 1993
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Genre:R&B
Years Active:2003–present
Current Member Of:The Rascals

Leon George Thomas III (born August 1, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. After early roles in Broadway and providing the singing voice of Tyrone on the Nick Jr. animated series The Backyardigans (2006–2008), he played Andre Harris on the Nickelodeon series Victorious (2010–2013), for which he received an NAACP Image Award nomination.

Thomas signed to Columbia and Rostrum Records, and sought success for his songwriting, and as a member of the production duo the Rascals. He has earned writing credits on former Victorious co-star Ariana Grande's Positions, Drake's Certified Lover Boy, Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign's Vultures Vol. 1, and Toni Braxton and Babyface's Grammy Award-winning album Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014). Thomas earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song nomination at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, for co-writing the song "Gold Roses" by Rick Ross (featuring Drake).[1] He later won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, for his contribution to the song "Snooze" by SZA.

Life and career

Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jayon Anthony and Leon Thomas II.[2] He made his Broadway debut at the age of 10[3] 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 was released, with Thomas featured in the songs "Song 2 You" and "Tell Me That You Love Me". On June 5, 2012, 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 called Metro Hearts;[4] it was released on August 1, 2012.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] 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".[9] In 2017, he appeared in the Kathryn Bigelow-directed film Detroit.

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.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2003Robin and RogerBoy"The Plan" (season 1, episode 3); nine-episode series
2007August RushArthur[13]
2010Rising StarsJR
2014Bad AssesTucson
2015Runaway IslandEvan Holloway
2017DetroitDarryl
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2006 Just for Kicks Ty 2 episodes
2006–2008 The BackyardigansTyrone Main singing voice role (seasons 2–3)
2007 Just Jordan Ronnie Episode: "Revenge of the Riff"
Jack's Big Music Show Leon Episode: "Laurie's Big Song"
2008, 2011 iCarly Harper Episode: "iCarly Saves TV"
Andre HarrisCrossover movie: iParty with Victorious
2008 The Naked Brothers Band Leon Williams Episode: "Christmas Special"
2010 2010 Kids' Choice Awards Himself
2010–13 Victorious Andre Harris Main role, 57 episodes
2011 True Jackson, VP Himself Episode: "True Fame"
2011 Kids' Choice Awards
2012 Figure It Out Panelist (episodes 20, 23, 31, 38)
2014 Satisfaction Mateo Recurring role, 6 episodes
Robot and Monster Monster's singing voice
2015 Fear the Walking Dead Russell Episode: "Pilot"
2017InsecureEddieRecurring role

Discography

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Mixtape details
Metro Hearts
V1bes
  • Released: January 1, 2014
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Rostrum
Before the Beginning[14]
  • Released: October 25, 2016
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Label: Rostrum

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Extended play details
Genesis[15]
  • Released: August 24, 2018
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Label: Rostrum

Singles

As lead artist

Title! rowspan="2" scope="col"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Adult R&B
[16]
"Hello How Are You"
[17]
2013
"Favorite"
[18]
201817Genesis
"Sunken Place"[19]
"X-Rated"
2022Electric Dusk
"Love Jones"
"Breaking Point"
"Crash & Burn"2023
"Breaking Point (Remix)"
"Dangerous Game”
2024FRANCIS
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbum
"Snapchat"
(Yonni featuring Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, and Rayven Justice)[20]
2015rowspan="3"
"Rendezvous"
(Kronic featuring Leon Thomas)[21]
2017
"Sho Enough"
(Philly Swain featuring Leon Thomas and Safaree)[22]
"Aimless"
(Bizzy Crook featuring Lexii Alijai and Leon Thomas)[23]
2018Before I Jump[24]
"Too Much"
(Bizzy Crook featuring Leon Thomas)[25]
2019Confetti
"Settle"
(Kosine featuring Leon Thomas)[26]
2021Truth Serum[27]
"Lucky"
(Tish Hyman featuring Larussell & Leon Thomas)
2023rowspan="2"
"Sweetness”
(Elmiene featuring Leon Thomas)
2024

Promotional singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Kid
[28]
"It's You"
2010Rising Stars
"Countdown"[29]
--font-weight:normal;-->">(Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice)201210
"Come Clean"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Michelle DeShon)2014
"PLW"[30] 2018Genesis
"Until the End of Time"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Coco Jones)2023
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Kid
"Song 2 You"
20118
"Tell Me That You Love Me"
11

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Sing the Day"2006Anika Noni Rose, Harrison Chad, Marcus Carl FranklinBambi II
"La Bamba"2007August Rush
"I Like That Girl"2008iCarly: Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show
"Free to Fall"2010Kyle Riabko, Jessie Payo, Natalie HallRising Stars
"A Better Day"Kyle Riabko
"All I Want"[31] 2011Roshon Fegan
"365 Days"2012Victorious cast
"Yes We Can"2013Nat & Alex Wolff, Natasha BedingfieldThrowbacks
"Can We Talk"Berner, Erk tha JerkDrugstore Cowboy
"Show Us"[32] 2014rowspan="2"
"Miss You"[33]
"Nothing"The Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4[34]
"Too Long"[35] 2015
"Fire"2016Finding Noyvon, J.KelrBelieve in MPLS[36]
"Teacher"Yonni
  1. TheGift[37]
"Balance"2017RichGains, GLC, Nate MercereauGains[38]
"Zen"2018Bizzy CrookBefore I Jump
"Arcadia (For the Land)"2020WavelQArcadia[39]
"Lord Knows"2022Steelo, Dej LoafEldorado Excursions
"Patience (Remix)Eric BellingerNew Light: The Remixes
"Cowrie Charms"2023Yussef Dayes, Barbara HicksBlack Classical Music
scope=“row”"Is There Someone New?"2024Yung BleuJeremy

Music videos

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Director(s)
As an artist
"All I Want"2011Roshon Fegan[40]
"Hello How Are You"2013Wiz Khalifa[41]
"Snapchat"2015Yonni, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, Rayven Justice[42]
"Favorite"2018Buddy[43]
"PLW"€¥£$[44]
"X-Rated"2022Benny the ButcherCameron Dean, Leon Thomas
"Love Jones"Ty Dolla SignCameron Dean
"Breaking Point"2023
Guest appearances
"Make It Shine"2010Victorious cast, Victoria Justice[45]
"Freak the Freak Out"Marcus Wagner[46]
"Beggin' on Your Knees"2011[47]
"Leave It All to Shine"iCarly and Victorious casts, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice
"All I Want Is Everything"Victorious cast, Victoria JusticeLex Halaby[48]
"Make It in America"2012Anna Mastro[49]
"L.A. Boyz"Victorious cast, Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande[50]
"Here's 2 Us"Victorious cast, Victoria Justice[51]
"You Don't Know Me"Victorious cast, Elizabeth Gillies[52]

Production and songwriting credits

See also: The Rascals (producers).

TitleYearArtist(s)AlbumNotes
"Honeymoon Avenue"2013Ariana GrandeYours TrulyCo-writer
"Tattooed Heart"
"Lovin' It"
"You'll Never Know"
"Love Is Everything"Christmas Kisses
"Snow in California"
"I'd Rather Be Broke"2014Toni BraxtonLove, Marriage & Divorce
"Can I Get a Moment?"Jessica MauboyBeautiful
"Kinda Miss You"2015Deborah Cox
"Shake That"Samantha Jade, PitbullNine
"Something New"2016Zendaya, Chris Brown
"Yours Truly, Austin Post"Post MaloneStoneyCo-producer and co-writer
"Geek'd"2018Bhad Bhabie, Lil Baby15Co-writer
"Butterfly"2019KehlaniWhile We Wait
"Gold Roses"Rick Ross, DrakePort of Miami 2
"Scary Nights"G-EazyScary Nights
"Summer Magic"AiIt's All Me, Vol. 1Co-producer and co-writer
"Safety Net"2020Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla SignPositionsCo-writer
"Nasty"Ariana Grande
"In the Bible"2021Drake, Lil Durk, GiveonCertified Lover BoyCo-producer and co-writer
"Love All"Drake, Jay-Z
"Pipe Down"Drake
"For Tonight"GiveonGive or Take
"Wicked Freestyle"Nardo WickWho Is Nardo Wick?
"Rent Free"6lack"Rent Free" / "By Any Means" single
"High School Crush"2022BuddySuperghetto
"Rich Shit"Lil Gotit, Lil Keed, Ty Dolla SignThe Cheater
"Poison"Jack Harlow, Lil WayneCome Home the Kids Miss You
"Another Heartbreak"GiveonGive or Take
"Scarred"
"Let Me Go"
"Lost Me"
"July 16th"
"Get to You"
"All Wolves Go to Heaven"YoDogg, CardoRaised by Wolves
"Snooze"SZASOS
"Wolves"2023Lauren Jauregui, Russ, Ty Dolla SignIn Between
"Gone"Kiana Ledé, Bryson TillerGrudges
"Undefeated"Mike DimesTexas Boy
"Burn"2024Vultures 1

Broadway appearances

Tours

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
2008Young Artist AwardsBest Performance In A Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor (Fantasy or Drama)August Rush[53]
2012NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)Victorious[54]
2020Grammy AwardsBest Rap Song"Gold Roses"
2024Best R&B SongSnooze[55]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leon Thomas III . Grammy.com. August 1, 2024.
  2. Web site: Vinson. Kristi. Nickelodeon Star Paints With Teens. Kennesaw Patch. August 29, 2011. April 20, 2011.
  3. News: Navarro. Mireya. When Childhood Is a Tough Role. The New York Times. August 29, 2011. September 23, 2007.
  4. Web site: Leon Thomas - Official Site . Leonthomas3.com . 2013-10-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130525063449/http://leonthomas3.com/music/ . 2013-05-25 .
  5. Web site: Leon Thomas - Official Site . Leonthomas3.com . 2013-10-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120809021703/http://leonthomas3.com/audio/154-2/ . 2012-08-09 .
  6. Web site: Leon Thomas - Metro Hearts on . Official.fm . 2013-10-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102194629/http://official.fm/playlists/sC3R . 2013-11-02 .
  7. Web site: NYU News : Christmas album comes with Grande promise. Nyunews.com. 10 December 2013.
  8. Web site: Leon Thomas - V1bes. DatPiff. 2014-01-31. 2014-01-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20140127093433/http://www.datpiff.com/Leon-Thomas-V1bes-mixtape.566375.html. dead.
  9. Web site: Grant . Stacey . Andre From Victorious Dropped New Music And Hollywood Arts Would Be Proud . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027130207/http://www.mtv.com/news/2947352/leon-thomas-iii-before-the-beginning/ . dead . October 27, 2016 . MTV . 14 May 2022.
  10. Web site: Reintroducing Leon Thomas III, Drake's Certified Secret Weapon . Spin.com.
  11. Web site: Cho . Regina . Motown inks joint venture with Ty Dolla Sign's EZMNY Records . Revolt.tv . 14 May 2022.
  12. Web site: Leon Thomas shares reflective "Crash and Burn" single . Revolt.tv.
  13. Book: Ebert, Roger. Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2010. August 17, 2011. October 20, 2009. Andrews McMeel Publishing. 978-0-7407-8536-8. 20–.
  14. Web site: City Of Angels. June 16, 2021. SoundCloud.
  15. Web site: Genesis by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music. Thomas III. Leon. August 24, 2018. music.apple.com.
  16. Leon Thomas III Billboard. July 20, 2018. Billboard.
  17. Web site: Hello How Are You (feat. Wiz Khalifa) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music. 24 September 2013. October 8, 2020. Apple Music.
  18. Web site: Favorite (feat. Buddy) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music. 19 January 2018. March 7, 2021. Apple Music.
  19. Web site: Sunken Place - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music. 28 June 2018. March 7, 2021. Apple Music.
  20. Web site: Snapchat (feat. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc & Rayven Justice) - Single. iTunes. 20 January 2015. May 18, 2021.
  21. Web site: Rendezvous (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single. iTunes. 31 March 2017. May 18, 2021.
  22. Web site: Sho Enough (feat. Leon Thomas & Safaree) - Single. iTunes. May 18, 2021. May 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519012152/https://music.apple.com/us/album/sho-enough-feat-leon-thomas-safaree-single/1262619940. dead.
  23. Web site: Aimless (feat. Lexii Alijai Leon Thomas) - Single. iTunes. 20 June 2018. May 18, 2021.
  24. Web site: Before I Jump by Bizzy Crook on Apple Music. Bizzy Crook. July 27, 2018. music.apple.com.
  25. Web site: Too Much (feat. Leon Thomas). Spotify. 22 November 2019. May 18, 2021.
  26. Web site: Settle (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single. iTunes. 26 March 2021. May 3, 2021. 11 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210611030651/https://music.apple.com/us/album/settle-feat-leon-thomas-single/1560339645. dead.
  27. Web site: Truth Serum by Kosine on Apple Music. Kosine. May 7, 2021. music.apple.com.
  28. Billboard. Billboard.
  29. Web site: "Countdown" by Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice. iTunes. December 30, 2010.
  30. Web site: PLW - Single by Leon Thomas on Spotify. 17 August 2018. March 7, 2021. Spotify.
  31. Web site: First Listen: "All I Want" By Roshon Fegan And Leon Thomas!. 22 December 2011. May 10, 2021. Tigerbeat. 14 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514023039/https://tigerbeat.com/2011/12/first-listen-all-i-want-by-roshon-fegan-and-leon-thomas/. dead.
  32. Web site: New music: Leon Thomas Show Us. June 14, 2021. You Know I Got Soul.
  33. News: Leon Thomas - Miss You. Djbooth. June 14, 2021. DJ Booth.
  34. Web site: Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4. June 15, 2021. SoundCloud.
  35. Web site: New Music: Leon Thomas III Releases Break Up Track "Too Long" [AUDIO]]. 2 September 2015. June 14, 2021. Glamber Girl.
  36. Web site: Believe in Mpls by Finding Novyon & J.Kelr on Apple Music. Finding Noyvon. J.Kelr. July 21, 2016. music.apple.com.
  37. Web site:
    1. TheGift by Yonni on Apple Music
    . Yonni. December 27, 2016. music.apple.com.
  38. Web site: Gains by RichGains on Apple Music. RichGains. April 28, 2017. music.apple.com.
  39. Web site: Arcadia by WavelQ on Apple Music. WavelQ. May 1, 2020. music.apple.com.
  40. Web site: All I Want RO•SHON Leon Thomas III . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6-eYtmWZz-Y . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 2011-12-30. 2021-08-25.
  41. Web site: Leon Thomas Ft Wiz Khalifa Hello How Are You Official Video. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6PrhYbAuF3o . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 2011-12-30. 2021-08-25.
  42. Web site: Yonni - Snapchat (Official Video) ft. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, Aroc, Rayven Justice. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/5_qi11Yukxg . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 2015-04-10. 2018-08-04.
  43. Web site: Leon Thomas - Favorite ft. Buddy. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Ncs_wip3hkU . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 2018-03-29. 2021-08-25.
  44. Web site: Leon Thomas - PLW. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/guxGmY6nDm4 . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 2018-12-13. 2021-08-25.
  45. Web site: TheSlap Hollywood Arts' Victorious - The Clips . March 21, 2024 . May 28, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100528130840/http://www.theslap.com/clips/make-it-shine-music-video . bot: unknown .
  46. Web site: "Freak the Freak Out" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/NdFEl7bg8MM . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. September 20, 2012.
  47. Web site: "Beggin' on Your Knees" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/tPrMvW4YCR0 . 2021-12-21 . live. 22 March 2011 . YouTube.
  48. Web site: "All I Want Is Everything" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/EvELRQ2OONA . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. September 21, 2012.
  49. Web site: "Make It in America" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/PR28Y5NgH7o . 2021-12-21 . live. 20 September 2012 . YouTube.
  50. Web site: L.A. Boyz Music Video TheSlap Hollywood Arts' Victorious . August 26, 2021 . October 23, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023082223/http://www.theslap.com/clips/l-a-boyz-music-video . bot: unknown .
  51. Web site: Here's 2 Us TheSlap Hollywood Arts' Victorious . August 26, 2021 . November 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121128045135/http://www.theslap.com/clips/here-s-2-us . bot: unknown .
  52. Web site: Jade's Music Video! TheSlap Hollywood Arts' Victorious . August 26, 2021 . December 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121206223008/http://www.theslap.com/clips/jade-s-music-video . bot: unknown .
  53. Web site: 29th Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards . Young Artist Awards . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080706161000/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms29.html . 2008-07-06 .
  54. Web site: NAACP Image Awards 2012: Full list of nominees. ABC7 Los Angeles. 2012-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20120222150823/http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/NAACP-Image-Awards--2012:-Full-list-of-nominees/8511789. 2012-02-22. dead.
  55. News: Minsker . Evan . Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here . November 10, 2023 . Pitchfork . November 10, 2023.