Leon Thomas III: The Hidden Genius Behind Today’s Music
I first encountered Leon Thomas III on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, where he played Andre Harris, the musically gifted best friend with undeniable charm and talent. Even then, it was clear he could sing. He performed with a soulfulness and musicality that felt advanced for a teen sitcom. But at the time, I thought of him as just that: a talented actor who could sing. What I didn’t realize, what most people didn’t realize, was that he was already laying the groundwork for a much deeper contribution to music.
Years later, when I discovered that Leon Thomas had co-produced Snooze by SZA, I was genuinely shocked. That song is one of my absolute favorites layered, subtle, and emotionally rich. To learn that someone I remembered from TV had helped craft something so sonically delicate and powerful completely changed how I saw him. From that moment, I started to truly understand the scope of his talent.
Leon Thomas was born in Brooklyn in 1993 and began his career in entertainment at a very young age. He performed on Broadway as Young Simba in The Lion King and did voice work for animated shows like The Backyardigans, but his breakout television role came on Victorious. What was happening behind the scenes, though, was even more impressive than what we saw on-screen. While acting in front of millions of viewers, Thomas was also developing as a producer, songwriter, and musician, quietly building a resume that would eventually impact the sound of modern R&B, hip-hop, and pop.
Over the years, Leon Thomas has become a key creative figure behind some of the most popular and emotionally resonant music of this generation. Snooze, from SZA’s SOS album, won a Grammy and became one of the defining songs of 2023, in part thanks to Thomas’s production work. But his reach goes far beyond that. He’s one half of the production duo The Rascals, alongside Khris Riddick-Tynes, and together they’ve been instrumental in crafting hits for a wide range of artists across genres.
Thomas helped shape the early sound of Ariana Grande, contributing to songs like Honeymoon Avenue and Tattooed Heart, both of which were instrumental in positioning her as a serious vocal talent. He has worked with Drake on emotionally introspective tracks like Pipe Down, Love All featuring Jay-Z, and In the Bible, tracks that lean into vulnerability and melodic depth. He has written and produced for GIVĒON, helping shape the soulful, moody textures that define songs like For Tonight and Lost Me. Kehlani’s dreamy, poetic track Butterfly also bears his touch, as does the introspective work on Post Malone’s 2023 project Austin. Even in hip-hop, he’s left his mark, working with artists like 6lack, Kodak Black, and Rick Ross, and contributing to the haunting production on tracks like Gold Roses.
What sets Leon Thomas apart is his ability to move between genres without ever losing his musical identity. Whether he’s working with a pop star, a rapper, or an R&B singer, his sound always feels thoughtful, emotional, and intentional. It’s rare to find a producer who can adapt so effortlessly and still leave a signature behind. His versatility is undeniable, but what makes him special is that he brings emotional depth to every project he touches.
In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Thomas has also emerged as a solo artist with a powerful voice and unique creative vision. His 2023 album Electric Dusk introduced listeners to his personal blend of R&B, soul, and psychedelic influences. The following year, he released Mutt, an album that felt even more vulnerable and intimate. Inspired in part by his adopted dog, the title track reflects on themes of imperfection, loneliness, and unconditional love. In 2025, he followed it up with a deluxe edition titled Heel, which included collaborations with artists like Chris Brown and Freddie Gibbs, further showcasing his range.
Listening to his solo work, it’s clear that Leon Thomas isn’t just a brilliant producer, he’s an exceptional vocalist and songwriter in his own right. His voice is rich and expressive, capable of both softness and raw intensity. He sings with conviction, and his music tells stories that feel lived-in and honest.
Leon Thomas’s story is a rare one in today’s music industry. He’s not chasing headlines or attention. Instead, he’s focused on building music that lasts, that resonates, that moves people. While his name may not always be front and center, his influence is impossible to ignore. He’s become a connective thread in modern music, bridging the gap between generations, genres, and styles with elegance and purpose.
Discovering that he was behind Snooze made me listen to music differently. Now, whenever I hear a song that feels unusually intimate or beautifully produced, I find myself checking the credits. More often than not, Leon Thomas is there, quietly shaping the soundtrack of our time.
