Misplaced Pages

Leon Thomas III
Thomas in 2023
Background information
Birth name	Leon George Thomas III
Born	(1993-08-01) August 1, 1993 (age 31) New York City, U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupations	Singer songwriter record producer actor
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Columbia Rostrum EZMNY Motown
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 with Columbia and Rostrum Records following his successful productions as a member of the production duo, the Rascals. His album credits include former Victorious co-star Ariana Grande's Positions (2020), Drake's Certified Lover Boy (2021), ¥$'s Vultures 1 (2024), and Toni Braxton and Babyface's Grammy Award-winning Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014). Thomas earned a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing "Gold Roses" by Rick Ross. He later won Best R&B Song at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for his contributions to the song "Snooze" by SZA.

Life and career

Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jayon Anthony and Leon Thomas II. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 10 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 Victorious: 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 called Metro Hearts; it was released on August 1, 2012. 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. 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. 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. 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 " for a long time". 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.

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.

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.

Filmography

Discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Promotional singles

Other charted songs

Guest appearances

Music videos

Production and songwriting credits

Broadway appearances

• The Lion King
• Caroline, or Change
• The Color Purple

Tours

• Big Time Summer Tour (joined on August 21, 2012)

Awards and nominations

References

1. ^ Navarro, Mireya (September 23, 2007). "When Childhood Is a Tough Role". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
2. "Official website". Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
3. "Leon Thomas III". Grammy.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
4. Vinson, Kristi (April 20, 2011). "Nickelodeon Star Paints With Teens". Kennesaw Patch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
5. "Leon Thomas - Official Site". Leonthomas3.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
6. "Leon Thomas - Official Site". Leonthomas3.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
7. "Leon Thomas - Metro Hearts on". Official.fm. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
8. "NYU News : Christmas album comes with Grande promise". Nyunews.com. 10 December 2013.
9. "Leon Thomas - V1bes". DatPiff. Archived from the original on 2014-01-27. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
10. Grant, Stacey. "Andre From Victorious Dropped New Music And Hollywood Arts Would Be Proud". MTV. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
11. "Reintroducing Leon Thomas III, Drake's Certified Secret Weapon". Spin.com.
12. Cho, Regina. "Motown inks joint venture with Ty Dolla Sign's EZMNY Records". Revolt.tv. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
13. "Leon Thomas shares reflective "Crash and Burn" single". Revolt.tv.
14. Ebert, Roger (October 20, 2009). Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2010. Andrews McMeel Publishing. pp. 20–. ISBN 978-0-7407-8536-8. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
15. Samuels, Keithan. "Leon Thomas Announces Second Album Mutt". Rated R&B. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
16. "City Of Angels". Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via SoundCloud.
17. Thomas III, Leon (August 24, 2018). "Genesis by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
18. "Leon Thomas III Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
19. "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
20. "Hello How Are You (feat. Wiz Khalifa) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". 24 September 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Apple Music.
21. "Favorite (feat. Buddy) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". 19 January 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
22. "Sunken Place - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". 28 June 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
23. "Snapchat (feat. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc & Rayven Justice) - Single". iTunes. 20 January 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
24. "Rendezvous (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. 31 March 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
25. "Sho Enough (feat. Leon Thomas & Safaree) - Single". iTunes. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
26. "Aimless (feat. Lexii Alijai Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. 20 June 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
27. ^ Bizzy Crook (July 27, 2018). "Before I Jump by Bizzy Crook on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
28. "Too Much (feat. Leon Thomas)". Spotify. 22 November 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
29. "Settle (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
30. Kosine (May 7, 2021). "Truth Serum by Kosine on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
31. ^ "Billboard". Billboard.
32. ""Countdown" by Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice". iTunes. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
33. "PLW - Single by Leon Thomas on Spotify". 17 August 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Spotify.
34. "First Listen: "All I Want" By Roshon Fegan And Leon Thomas!". 22 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Tigerbeat.
35. "New music: Leon Thomas Show Us". Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via You Know I Got Soul.
36. "Leon Thomas - Miss You". Djbooth. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via DJ Booth.
37. "Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4". Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via SoundCloud.
38. "New Music: Leon Thomas III Releases Break Up Track "Too Long" [AUDIO]". 2 September 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Glamber Girl.
39. Finding Noyvon; J.Kelr (July 21, 2016). "Believe in Mpls by Finding Novyon & J.Kelr on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
40. Yonni (December 27, 2016). "#TheGift by Yonni on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
41. RichGains (April 28, 2017). "Gains by RichGains on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
42. WavelQ (May 1, 2020). "Arcadia by WavelQ on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
43. "All I Want RO•SHON Leon Thomas III". YouTube. 2011-12-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
44. "Leon Thomas Ft Wiz Khalifa Hello How Are You Official Video". YouTube. 2011-12-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
45. "Yonni - Snapchat (Official Video) ft. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, Aroc, Rayven Justice". YouTube. 2015-04-10. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2018-08-04.
46. "Leon Thomas - Favorite ft. Buddy". YouTube. 2018-03-29. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
47. "Leon Thomas - PLW". YouTube. 2018-12-13. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
48. "TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious - The Clips". Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
49. ""Freak the Freak Out" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
50. ""Beggin' on Your Knees" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. 22 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
51. Leave It All To Shine (featuring Miranda Cosgrove & Victoria Justice) on YouTube
52. ""All I Want Is Everything" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. September 21, 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
53. ""Make It in America" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
54. "L.A. Boyz Music Video | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious". Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
55. "Here's 2 Us | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious". Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
56. "Jade's Music Video! | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious". Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
57. "29th Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06.
58. "NAACP Image Awards 2012: Full list of nominees". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
59. Minsker, Evan (November 10, 2023). "Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 10, 2023.

External links

• Leon Thomas III at IMDb

• 1993 births
• Living people
• 21st-century African-American male actors
• 21st-century African-American male singers
• 21st-century American male actors
• 21st-century American male singers
• African-American male child actors
• African-American male singer-songwriters
• African-American record producers
• American male singer-songwriters
• American child singers
• American contemporary R&B singers
• American male child actors
• American male film actors
• Alternative R&B musicians
• American male television actors
• Columbia Records artists
• Male actors from Brooklyn
• Motown artists
• Nickelodeon people
• Record producers from New York (state)
• Singers from Brooklyn
• Songwriters from New York (state)