Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Leon Thomas visited NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to perform a soulful Tiny Desk Concert.
Thomas, with his guitar, four-man band, and background singers, opened with “Vibes Don’t Lie,” the smooth number from his lauded sophomore album, MUTT.
Keeping the vibes going, Thomas performed a couple more songs from his latest album, including the stirring ballad “Yes It Is,” in which he incorporated Floetry’s “Say Yes,” and a funky rendition of the title track. Thomas closed out his five-song set with “Treasure in the Hills” from his debut album, Electric Dusk.
Thomas’ Tiny Desk Concert follows his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, his first televised performance, where he performed “Mutt.”
Thomas will headline two sold-out shows at London’s KOKO on Feb. 21 and Feb. 23. Later this summer, he will perform at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
Circling back to MUTT, Thomas released his second album Sept. 27, 2024, via Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY Records/Motown Records. The 14-track project features Ty Dolla $ign (“Far Fetched”), Baby Rose (“I Used To”), Masego (“Lucid Dream”) and Freddie Gibbs (“Mutt” Remix).
Regarding the album, Thomas explained, “MUTT is a metaphor for our need and desire as human beings to exert some control over our partners. I explored themes from jazz, rock & roll, hip-hop, and R&B, giving myself no parameters for personal expression. This project delves into every part of me: the balance between control and chaos.”
Thomas supported MUTT on his first headlining tour this past fall. Since releasing the album, he has collaborated with Coco Jones on her “Here We Go (Uh Oh) Remix” and producer/podcaster Rory on his new single “Who Are You Anyway?”
Watch Leon Thomas’ Tiny Desk Concert below.
Leon Thomas’ NPR Tiny Desk Concert Setlist
- “VIBES DON’T LIE”
- “YES IT IS”
- “MUTT”
- “Breaking Point”
- “Treasure In The Hills”
