Leon Thomas has achieved his first award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The Grammy winner’s hit single “Mutt” is now certified platinum, with over one million equivalent units sold in the U.S.
The D. Phelps and Freaky Rob-produced track was released Aug. 9, 2024, as the lead single and title track to Thomas’ second album.
Early on, Thomas released a “Mutt (Remix)” featuring rapper Freddie Gibbs before later linking with Chris Brown for his “Mutt (CB Remix).” The latter track appears on the expanded version of the album, MUTT Deluxe: HEEL, which is out today (May 30).
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Circling back to the song “Mutt,” the funked-out track slowly but surely made noise within the R&B community before reaching the masses. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February, earning Thomas his first solo entry. Since then, it has climbed to its peak position at No. 13 on the popular singles chart.
Elsewhere on Billboard, “Mutt” reached No. 1 on the R&B Streaming Songs, Hot R&B Songs, R&B Digital Song Sales, Adult R&B Airplay and Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts.
MUTT, the album, was released Sept. 27, 2024, via Ty Dolla $ign’s EZNMY/Motown Records.
“MUTT was an album I made after a long-term relationship,” Thomas explained. “I was both advancing in my personal career and learning about myself in solitude. During my journey of being newly single, I began to document through my music examples of our need for control within the modern dating climate.”
He added, “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.”
The project was highlighted on Rated R&B’s Best R&B Albums of 2024 list. Anders J. Hare noted, “Leon Thomas’ MUTT is a soulful triumph that solidifies his position as one of R&B’s most innovative voices.”
The standard edition featured collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign, Masego, Baby Rose, Wale and Axl Folie. Meanwhile, MUTT Deluxe includes additional appearances by Kehlani, Halle and Big Sean.
“MUTT has always been about embracing complexity in sound, in identity, in experience. HEEL is me leaning even deeper into that chaos, and finding beauty in it,” explained Thomas.
In other Leon Thomas news, the singer, songwriter and producer is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Male Pop/R&B Artist at the 2025 BET Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by Kevin Hart, airs live from Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET on BET.
Revisit Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” below.
