Billboard: How Leon Thomas Fetched a Mainstream Hit With 'Mutt'

Leon Thomas admits that his song Mutt—a flirtatious track with lyrics about “popping a shroom to re-create the feeling”—was an uncomfortable one to play for his mom. But she called it: “This is going to be one of your biggest records.” Mutt became Thomas’ first Billboard Hot 100 entry as a recording artist after years of penning hits for Ariana Grande, SZA, and more.

For Thomas, 31, music and family are inseparable. Raised in Brooklyn by parents involved in the Black Rock Coalition and the grandson of opera singer John Anthony, he blends rock and soul on Mutt, his sophomore album. His journey spans nearly two decades—Broadway at 13, a Nickelodeon deal by his teens, and an eventual pivot to production under mentors like Babyface and Boi-1da.

Signed to Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY/Motown label, Thomas navigated leadership shifts at the company before finally executing his vision for Mutt. The title track, a funky R&B tune inspired by live music and vulnerability, took off organically through word-of-mouth from his performances. “We noticed the crowd’s reaction—when Mutt played, the phones were always up,” says his manager, Jonathan Azu. Instead of forcing a hit, Azu and Thomas let momentum build. “Everybody already knows how dangerous he is in the studio,” Azu adds.

Now climbing three Billboard airplay charts, Thomas is eyeing a deluxe Mutt release. “I’m playing the long game,” he says.

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