Leon Thomas III

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For the jazz singer, see Leon Thomas.
Leon Thomas
Thomas performing in November 2013
Thomas performing in November 2013
Background information
Birth nameLeon G. Thomas III[1]
Born (1993-08-01) August 1, 1993 (age 28)[2]
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Actor
  • record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Years active2003–present
Labels
Associated acts

Leon G. Thomas III (born August 1, 1993) is an American actor, record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer, who is currently signed to Columbia and Rostrum Records. He is best known for portraying Andre Harris on the Nickelodeon series Victorious (2010) and the singing voice of Tyrone from seasons 2-3 of The Backyardigans. After the show's cancellation, he sought success as a member of the production duo The Rascals, earning a producer credit on the 2014 Grammy Award winning album Love, Marriage & Divorce.

Early life[]

Leon G. Thomas III was born on August 1, 1993 in Brooklyn, to Jayon Anthony and Leon Thomas II.[1][4]

Career[]

2003–06: Broadway and career beginning[]

He made his Broadway debut at age 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.

2007–09: August Rush and television appearances[]

In 2007, Thomas appeared in the film August Rush as Arthur, performing the song "La Bamba", and was the singing voice for Tyrone in 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.

2010–12: Victorious and musical career[]

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 album Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show was launched, 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 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 show's final episode aired on February 2, 2013.

2012–present: Mixtapes and production work[]

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 "Take Care" by Drake. The cover is by Leon Thomas featuring Ariana Grande.[7]

Leon Thomas co-wrote the song "Ain't No Other Me" for the British group Stooshe, which features as a deluxe edition track on their debut album, London with the Lights On. Thomas co-wrote four songs on Ariana Grande's 2013 album "Yours Truly". He also co-produced five 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] Additionally, his work in production as a part of "The Rascals" was included on the Grammy award-winning album Love, Marriage & Divorce. His contribution is as a writer on the song entitled "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. A second single, "Chill," is to be released soon.[9]

On January 1, 2014, Thomas released a new mixtape, V1bes, under the name Leon Thomas, via Datpiff.[10] 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 2017, he appeared in the Kathryn Bigelow-directed film Detroit.

Filmography[]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Robin and Roger Boy "The Plan" (Season 1, Episode 3), 9-episode-series
2007 August Rush Arthur [11]
2010 Rising Stars JR
2014 Bad Asses Tucson
2015 Runaway Island Evan Holloway
2017 Detroit Jerry
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Just for Kicks Ty 2 episodes
The Backyardigans Tyrone Singing voice (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[]

Mixtapes[]

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Mixtape details
Metro Hearts
V1bes
  • Released: January 1, 2014
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Rostrum Records
Before the Beginning[12]
  • Released: October 25, 2016
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Label: Rostrum Records

Extended plays[]

Title Extended play details
Genesis[13]
  • Released: August 24, 2018
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Label: Rostrum Records

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Adult R&B
[14]
"Hello How Are You"
(featuring Wiz Khalifa)[15] 		2013 — Non-album single
"Favorite"
(featuring Buddy)[16] 		2018 17 Genesis
"Sunken Place"[17] —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

As featured artist[]

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Snapchat"
(Yonni featuring Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc and Rayven Justice)[18] 		2015 Non-album singles
"Rendezvous"
(Kronic featuring Leon Thomas)[19] 		2017
"Sho Enough"
(Philly Swain featuring Leon Thomas and Safaree)[20]
"Aimless"
(Bizzy Crook featuring Lexii Alijai and Leon Thomas)[21] 		2018 Before I Jump[22]
"Settle"
(Kosine featuring Leon Thomas)[23] 		2021 Truth Serum[24]

Promotional singles[]

List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Kid
[25]
"It's You"
(with Jessie Payo) 		2010 — Rising Stars
"All I Want"[26]
(with Roshon Fegan) 		2011 — Non-album promotional single
"Countdown"[27]
(Victorious cast featuring Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice) 		2012 10 Victorious 2.0: More Music from the Hit TV Show
"PLW"[28] 2018 — Genesis[13]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other charted songs[]

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Kid
[25]
"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

Other appearances[]

List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released and album name
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
"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
"Nothing" 2014 None The Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4[29]
"Fire" 2016 Finding Noyvon, J.Kelr Believe In MPLS[30]
"Teacher" Yonni #TheGift[31]
"Balance" 2017 RichGains, GLC, Nate Mercereau Gains[32]
"Zen" 2018 Bizzy Crook Before I Jump[22]

Non-commercial releases[]

List of songs exclusively released on Leon Thomas III's SoundCloud account, showing title and year released
Title Year Ref.
"Show Us" 2014 [33]
"Miss You" [34]
"Too Long" 2015 [35]

Music videos[]

List of music videos, showing year released, other artists featured and directors
Title Year Other artist(s) Director(s) Ref.
As lead artist
"All I Want" 2011 Roshon Fegan Un­known [36]
"Hello How Are You" 2013 Wiz Khalifa [37]
"Favorite" 2018 Buddy [38]
"PLW" None €¥£$ [39]
As featured artist
"Snapchat" 2015 Yonni, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc, Rayven Justice Un­known [40]
Guest appearances
"Make It Shine" 2010 Victorious cast, Victoria Justice Un­known [41]
"Freak the Freak Out" Marcus Wagner [42]
"Beggin' on Your Knees" 2011 [43]
"Leave It All to Shine" iCarly and Victorious casts, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice Un­known [44]
"All I Want Is Everything" Victorious cast, Victoria Justice Lex Halaby [45]
"Make It in America" 2012 Anna Mastro [46]
"L.A. Boyz" Victorious cast, Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande Un­known [47]
"Here's 2 Us" Victorious cast, Victoria Justice [48]
"You Don't Know Me" Victorious cast, Elizabeth Gillies [49]

Production and songwriting credits[]

See also: The Rascals (producers)
Title Year Artist(s) Album Notes
"Honeymoon Avenue" 2013 Ariana Grande Yours Truly Co-writer
"Tattooed Heart"
"Lovin' It"
"You'll Never Know"
"Can I Get a Moment?" Jessica Mauboy Beautiful
"Love Is Everything" Ariana Grande Christmas Kisses
"Snow in California"
"I'd Rather Be Broke" 2014 Toni Braxton Love, Marriage & Divorce
"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
"Safety Net" 2020 Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla Sign Positions
"Nasty" Ariana Grande

Broadway appearances[]

Concert Tours[]

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[50]
2012 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Performance In A Youth/Children's Program (Series or Special) Victorious Nominated[51]
2015 Grammy Best R&B Album (Producer/Writer) Love, Marriage & Divorce Won[52]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Navarro, Mireya (September 23, 2007). "When Childhood Is a Tough Role". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  2. ^ "Twitter: Leon Thomas III (verified account)". Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  3. ^ "Official website".
  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.
  9. ^ "Instagram". Archived from the original on 2016-01-20.
  10. ^ "Leon Thomas - V1bes". DatPiff.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "City Of Angels". Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via SoundCloud.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Thomas III, Leon (August 24, 2018). "Genesis by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  14. ^ "Leon Thomas III Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "Hello How Are You (feat. Wiz Khalifa) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  16. ^ "Favorite (feat. Buddy) - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  17. ^ "Sunken Place - Single by Leon Thomas III on Apple Music". Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  18. ^ "Snapchat (feat. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, A-Roc & Rayven Justice) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Rendezvous (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  20. ^ "Sho Enough (feat. Leon Thomas & Safaree) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  21. ^ "Aimless (feat. Lexii Alijai Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b Bizzy Crook (July 27, 2018). "Before I Jump by Bizzy Crook on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  23. ^ "Settle (feat. Leon Thomas) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  24. ^ Kosine (May 7, 2021). "Truth Serum by Kosine on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Leon Thomas III | Billboard". Billboard.
  26. ^ "First Listen: "All I Want" By Roshon Fegan And Leon Thomas!". Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Tigerbeat.
  27. ^ ""Countdown" by Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice". iTunes. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  28. ^ "PLW - Single by Leon Thomas on Spotify". Retrieved March 7, 2021 – via Spotify.
  29. ^ "Best of Both Offices Compilation Vol. 4". Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via SoundCloud.
  30. ^ Finding Noyvon; J.Kelr (July 21, 2016). "Believe in Mpls by Finding Novyon & J.Kelr on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  31. ^ Yonni (December 27, 2016). "#TheGift by Yonni on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  32. ^ RichGains (April 28, 2017). "Gains by RichGains on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  33. ^ "New music: Leon Thomas Show Us". Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via You Know I Got Soul.
  34. ^ "Leon Thomas - Miss You". Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via DJ Booth.
  35. ^ "New Music: Leon Thomas III Releases Break Up Track "Too Long" [AUDIO]". Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Glamber Girl.
  36. ^ "All I Want RO•SHON Leon Thomas III". YouTube. 2011-12-30. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  37. ^ "Leon Thomas Ft Wiz Khalifa Hello How Are You Official Video". YouTube. 2011-12-30. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  38. ^ "Leon Thomas - Favorite ft. Buddy". YouTube. 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  39. ^ "Leon Thomas - PLW". YouTube. 2018-12-13. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  40. ^ "Yonni - Snapchat (Official Video) ft. Leon Thomas, Eric Bellinger, Aroc, Rayven Justice". YouTube. 2015-04-10. Retrieved 2018-08-04.
  41. ^ TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious - The Clips at the Wayback Machine (archived May 28, 2010)
  42. ^ ""Freak the Freak Out" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. September 20, 2012.
  43. ^ ""Beggin' on Your Knees" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube.
  44. ^ Leave It All To Shine (featuring Miranda Cosgrove & Victoria Justice) on YouTube
  45. ^ ""All I Want Is Everything" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube. September 21, 2012.
  46. ^ ""Make It in America" music video by Victoria Justice and Victorious cast". YouTube.
  47. ^ L.A. Boyz Music Video | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious at the Wayback Machine (archived October 23, 2012)
  48. ^ Here's 2 Us | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious at the Wayback Machine (archived November 28, 2012)
  49. ^ Jade's Music Video! | TheSlap | Hollywood Arts' Victorious at the Wayback Machine (archived December 6, 2012)
  50. ^ "29th Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06.
  51. ^ "NAACP Image Awards 2012: Full list of nominees". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  52. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2010-12-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[]

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