Leon Thomas III
Leon Thomas III | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Leon G. Thomas III[1] |
Born | New York City, U.S. | August 1, 1993
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels |
Leon G. Thomas III (born August 1, 1993)[1] is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, 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 André Harris on the Nickelodeon series Victorious (2010–2013), for which he received a 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, 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 ft. Drake (2019).[3]
Life and career
Leon G. Thomas III was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jayon Anthony and Leon Thomas II.[1][4] He made his Broadway debut at the age of 10[1] 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. 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 computer-animated musical 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 Harris 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" (written by him) 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)". The Victorious television series 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;[5] it was released on August 1, 2012.[6] Songs on the mixtape Metro Hearts 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.[7] Leon 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 Yours Truly, in addition to the song "Last Christmas" from Grande's Christmas Kisses EP, as a member of production duo The Rascals.[8] His production work under The Rascals was also included on Toni Braxton & Babyface's Grammy award-winning album Love, Marriage & Divorce, contributing to the Toni Braxton solo "I'd Rather Be Broke" performed by Toni Braxton.
On September 24, 2013, Leon 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.[9] He also announced that a music video for his single "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".[10] In 2017, he appeared in the Kathryn Bigelow-directed film Detroit.
In the year of 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 Rick Ross and Drake song "Gold Roses". 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, hip-hop musician Ty Dolla $ign signed a joint venture deal with Motown for his newly-launched EZMNY Records imprint, announcing Thomas to be the label's first artist.[11]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Robin and Roger | Boy | "The Plan" (season 1, episode 3); nine-episode series |
2007 | August Rush | Arthur | [12] |
2010 | Rising Stars | JR | |
2014 | Bad Asses | Tucson | |
2015 | Runaway Island | Evan Holloway | |
2017 | Detroit | Darryl |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Just for Kicks | Ty | 2 episodes |
2006–2008 | The Backyardigans | Tyrone | 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 Harris | Crossover movie: "iParty With Victorious" | ||
2008 | The Naked Brothers Band | Leon Williams | Episode: "Christmas Special" |
2010 | 2010 Kids' Choice Awards | Himself | With the cast of Victorious |
2010–13 | Victorious | Andre Harris | Main role, 57 episodes |
2011 | True Jackson, VP | Himself | Episode: "True Fame" |
2011 Kids' Choice Awards | With the cast of Victorious | ||
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 |
2017 | Insecure | Eddie | Recurring role |
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details |
---|---|
Electric Dusk |
|
Mixtapes
Title | Mixtape details |
---|---|
Metro Hearts |
|
V1bes |
|
Before the Beginning[13] |
|
Extended plays
Title | Extended play details |
---|---|
Genesis[14] |
|
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
US Adult R&B [15] | |||
"Hello How Are You" (featuring Wiz Khalifa)[16] |
2013 | — | Non-album single |
"Favorite" (featuring Buddy)[17] |
2018 | 17 | Genesis |
"Sunken Place"[18] | — | ||
"X-Rated" (featuring Benny the Butcher) |
2022 | — | Electric Dusk |
"Love Jones" (featuring Ty Dolla $ign) |
— | ||
"Breaking Point" | — | ||
"Crash & Burn" | 2023 | — | |
"Breaking Point (Remix)" (featuring Victoria Monét) |
— | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Snapchat" (Yonni featuring Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, and Rayven Justice)[19] |
2015 | Non-album singles |
"Rendezvous" (Kronic featuring Leon Thomas)[20] |
2017 | |
"Sho Enough" (Philly Swain featuring Leon Thomas and Safaree)[21] | ||
"Aimless" (Bizzy Crook featuring Lexii Alijai and Leon Thomas)[22] |
2018 | Before I Jump[23] |
"Too Much" (Bizzy Crook featuring Leon Thomas)[24] |
2019 | Confetti |
"Settle" (Kosine featuring Leon Thomas)[25] |
2021 | Truth Serum[26] |
Promotional singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Kid [27] | ||||||||||||||
"It's You" (with Jessie Payo) |
2010 | — | Rising Stars | |||||||||||
"Countdown"[28] (Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice) |
2012 | 10 | Victorious 2.0: More Music from the Hit TV Show | |||||||||||
"PLW"[29] | 2018 | — | Genesis[14] | |||||||||||
"Until the End of Time" (with Coco Jones) |
2023 | — | Non-album single | |||||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Other charted songs
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
US Kid [27] | |||
"Song 2 You" (Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice) |
2011 | 8 | Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show |
"Tell Me That You Love Me" (Victorious cast featuring Victoria Justice and Leon Thomas III) |
11 |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Sing the Day" | 2006 | Anika Noni Rose, Harrison Chad, Marcus Carl Franklin | Bambi II |
"La Bamba" | 2007 | None | August Rush |
"I Like That Girl" | 2008 | iCarly: Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show | |
"Free to Fall" | 2010 | Kyle Riabko, Jessie Payo, Natalie Hall | Rising Stars |
"A Better Day" | Kyle Riabko | ||
"All I Want"[30] | 2011 | Roshon Fegan | Non-album song |
"365 Days" | 2012 | Victorious cast | Victorious 3.0: Even More Music from the Hit TV Show |
"Yes We Can" | 2013 | Nat and Alex Wolff, Natasha Bedingfield | Throwbacks |
"Can We Talk" | Berner, Erk tha Jerk | Drugstore Cowboy | |
"Show Us"[31] | 2014 | None | Non-album songs |
"Miss You"[32] | |||
"Nothing" | The Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4[33] | ||
"Too Long"[34] | 2015 | Non-album song | |
"Fire" | 2016 | Finding Noyvon, J.Kelr | Believe in MPLS[35] |
"Teacher" | Yonni | #TheGift[36] | |
"Balance" | 2017 | RichGains, GLC, Nate Mercereau | Gains[37] |
"Zen" | 2018 | Bizzy Crook | Before I Jump[23] |
"Arcadia (For the Land)" | 2020 | WavelQ | Arcadia[38] |
"Lord Knows" | 2022 | Steelo, DeJ Loaf | Eldorado Excursions |
"Patience (Remix) | Eric Bellinger | New Light: The Remixes | |
"Cowrie Charms" | 2023 | Yussef Dayes, Barbara Hicks | Black Classical Music |
Music videos
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
As an artist | ||||
"All I Want" | 2011 | Roshon Fegan | Unknown | [39] |
"Hello How Are You" | 2013 | Wiz Khalifa | [40] | |
"Snapchat" | 2015 | Yonni, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, Rayven Justice | [41] | |
"Favorite" | 2018 | Buddy | [42] | |
"PLW" | None | €¥£$ | [43] | |
"X-Rated" | 2022 | Benny The Butcher | Cameron Dean & Leon Thomas | |
"Love Jones" | Ty Dolla $ign | Cameron Dean | ||
"Breaking Point " | 2023 | none | ||
Guest appearances | ||||
"Make It Shine" | 2010 | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice | Unknown | [44] |
"Freak the Freak Out" | Marcus Wagner | [45] | ||
"Beggin' on Your Knees" | 2011 | [46] | ||
"Leave It All to Shine" | iCarly and Victorious casts, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice | Unknown | [47] | |
"All I Want Is Everything" | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice | Lex Halaby | [48] | |
"Make It in America" | 2012 | Anna Mastro | [49] | |
"L.A. Boyz" | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande | Unknown | [50] | |
"Here's 2 Us" | Victorious cast, Victoria Justice | [51] | ||
"You Don't Know Me" | Victorious cast, Elizabeth Gillies | [52] |
Production and songwriting credits
Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
"Honeymoon Avenue" | 2013 | Ariana Grande | Yours Truly | Co-writer |
"Tattooed Heart" | ||||
"Lovin' It" | ||||
"You'll Never Know" | ||||
"Love Is Everything" | Christmas Kisses | |||
"Snow in California" | ||||
"I'd Rather Be Broke" | 2014 | Toni Braxton | Love, Marriage & Divorce | |
"Can I Get a Moment?" | Jessica Mauboy | Beautiful | ||
"Kinda Miss You" | 2015 | Deborah Cox | Non-album single | |
"Shake That" | Samantha Jade, Pitbull | Nine | ||
"Something New" | 2016 | Zendaya, Chris Brown | Non-album single | |
"Yours Truly, Austin Post" | Post Malone | Stoney | Co-producer and co-writer | |
"Geek'd" | 2018 | Bhad Bhabie, Lil Baby | 15 | Co-writer |
"Butterfly" | 2019 | Kehlani | While We Wait | |
"Gold Roses" | Rick Ross, Drake | Port of Miami 2 | ||
"Scary Nights" | G-Eazy | Scary Nights | ||
"Summer Magic" | Ai | It's All Me, Vol. 1 | Co-producer and co-writer | |
"Safety Net" | 2020 | Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla Sign | Positions | Co-writer |
"Nasty" | Ariana Grande | |||
"In the Bible" | 2021 | Drake, Lil Durk, Giveon | Certified Lover Boy | Co-producer and co-writer |
"Love All" | Drake, Jay-Z | |||
"Pipe Down" | Drake | |||
"For Tonight" | GIVĒON | Give or Take | ||
"Wicked Freestyle" | Nardo Wick | Who Is Nardo Wick? | ||
"Rent Free" | 6LACK | Rent Free / By Any Means single | ||
"High School Crush" | 2022 | Buddy | Superghetto | |
"Rich Shit" | Lil Gotit, Lil Keed, Ty Dolla $ign | The Cheater | ||
"Poison" | Jack Harlow, Lil Wayne | Come Home the Kids Miss You | ||
"Another Heartbreak" | GIVĒON | Give or Take | ||
"Scarred" | ||||
"Let Me Go" | ||||
"Lost Me" | ||||
"July 16th" | ||||
"Get to You" | ||||
"All Wolves Go to Heaven" | YoDogg, Cardo | Raised by Wolves | ||
"Snooze" | SZA | SOS | ||
"Wolves" | 2023 | Lauren Jauregui, Russ, Ty Dolla $ign | In Between | |
"Gone" | Kiana Ledé, Bryson Tiller | Grudges | ||
"Undefeated" | Mike Dimes | Texas Boy |
Broadway appearances
Concert tours
- Big Time Summer Tour (joined on August 21, 2012)
Awards and nominations
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance In A Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor (Fantasy or Drama) | August Rush | Won[53] |
2012 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series) | Victorious | Nominated[54] |
2020 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap Song | "Gold Roses" | Nominated |
2024 | Best R&B Song | Snooze | Pending[55] |
References
- ^ a b c d Navarro, Mireya (September 23, 2007). "When Childhood Is a Tough Role". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ "Official website".
- ^ www.grammy.com https://www.grammy.com/artists/leon-thomas-iii/252034. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Vinson, Kristi (April 20, 2011). "Nickelodeon Star Paints With Teens". Kennesaw Patch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - Official Site". Leonthomas3.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - Official Site". Leonthomas3.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - Metro Hearts on". Official.fm. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ "NYU News : Christmas album comes with Grande promise". nyunews.com. 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - V1bes". DatPiff.
- ^ Grant, Stacey. "Andre From Victorious Dropped New Music And Hollywood Arts Would Be Proud". MTV. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Cho, Regina. "Motown inks joint venture with Ty Dolla Sign's EZMNY Records". REVOLT. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "City Of Angels". Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via SoundCloud.
- ^ a b Thomas III, Leon (August 24, 2018). "Genesis by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ "Leon Thomas III Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Favorite (feat. Buddy) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". 19 January 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Sunken Place - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". 28 June 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Snapchat (feat. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc & Rayven Justice) - Single". iTunes. 20 January 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Rendezvous (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. 31 March 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Sho Enough (feat. Leon Thomas & Safaree) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Aimless (feat. Lexii Alijai Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. 20 June 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Bizzy Crook (July 27, 2018). "Before I Jump by Bizzy Crook on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ "Too Much (feat. Leon Thomas)". Spotify. 22 November 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Settle (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. 26 March 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ Kosine (May 7, 2021). "Truth Serum by Kosine on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ a b "Billboard". Billboard.
- ^ ""Countdown" by Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice". iTunes. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "PLW - Single by Leon Thomas on Spotify". 17 August 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Spotify.
- ^ "First Listen: "All I Want" By Roshon Fegan And Leon Thomas!". 22 December 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Tigerbeat.
- ^ "New music: Leon Thomas Show Us". Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via You Know I Got Soul.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - Miss You". Djbooth. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via DJ Booth.
- ^ "Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4". Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via SoundCloud.
- ^ "New Music: Leon Thomas III Releases Break Up Track "Too Long" [AUDIO]". 2 September 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Glamber Girl.
- ^ Finding Noyvon; J.Kelr (July 21, 2016). "Believe in Mpls by Finding Novyon & J.Kelr on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ Yonni (December 27, 2016). "#TheGift by Yonni on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ RichGains (April 28, 2017). "Gains by RichGains on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ WavelQ (May 1, 2020). "Arcadia by WavelQ on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ "All I Want RO•SHON Leon Thomas III". YouTube. 2011-12-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - Favorite ft. Buddy". YouTube. 2018-03-29. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ "Leon Thomas - PLW". YouTube. 2018-12-13. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious - The Clips at the Wayback Machine (archived May 28, 2010)
- ^ ""Freak the Freak Out" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
- ^ ""Beggin' on Your Knees" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
- ^ Leave It All To Shine (featuring Miranda Cosgrove & Victoria Justice) on YouTube
- ^ ""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.
- ^ ""Make It in America" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
- ^ L.A. Boyz Music Video | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious at the Wayback Machine (archived October 23, 2012)
- ^ Here's 2 Us | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious at the Wayback Machine (archived November 28, 2012)
- ^ Jade's Music Video! | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious at the Wayback Machine (archived December 6, 2012)
- ^ "29th Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06.
- ^ "NAACP Image Awards 2012: Full list of nominees". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (November 10, 2023). "Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
External links
- 1993 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American male actors
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- African-American male actors
- African-American record producers
- African-American male singer-songwriters
- American child singers
- American contemporary R&B singers
- American male child actors
- American male film actors
- American male pop singers
- American male television actors
- Columbia Records artists
- Male actors from New York City
- Motown artists
- Record producers from New York (state)
- Singers from Brooklyn
- Songwriters from New York (state)