Leon Thomas scored two wins at the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 1).
At the Premiere Ceremony, held ahead of the main telecast, Thomas won Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Vibes Don’t Lie.” The category also included Durand Bernarr‘s “Here We Are,” Lalah Hathaway‘s “Uptown,” Ledisi‘s “Love You Too” and SZA’s “Crybaby.”
Thomas, the most nominated R&B artist at this year’s ceremony (six), was not present when the award was called — for good reason. The Best New Artist nominee was wrapping up rehearsals for his performance for the main telecast.
His mother accepted the award on his behalf. “We are so honored. Thank you, Academy, for voting for him,” she said. “He worked so hard on this album, and he’s so happy to get such a wonderful reception.”
Thomas also won Best R&B Album for his lauded LP, MUTT, which was also nominated for Album of the Year. The stacked category also included Givēon’s Beloved, Ledisi’s The Crown, Teyana Taylor’s Escape Room and Coco Jones’ Why Not More?
By the time the category was called, Thomas had made it from the rehearsal stage to the podium to accept the honor.
“This is such a moment because this is a miracle of endurance,” he said. “And I have to say right now, I have to thank God for this moment. There’s been so many people on this run that have helped me get here.” He went on to thank his management team, label, and parents, who all believed in him. Thomas concluded with, “Just know that live music, live R&B is worth it, and I’m going to keep going.”
MUTT is the first sophomore album by a solo male artist to win in the Best R&B Album category since D’Angelo’s Voodoo at the 43rd Grammys in 2001. In the category’s 31-year history, it is only the second to ever achieve this feat. Among all solo artists, MUTT is the first sophomore LP to win Best R&B Album since Alicia Keys‘ The Diary of Alicia Keys in 2005, which was also nominated for Album of the Year.
It’s worth noting that the Best Contemporary R&B Album — a separate, now-defunct category that ran from 2003 to 2011 — did see sophomore wins from Beyoncé’s B’Day in 2007 and Ne-Yo’s Because of You in 2008. That category, however, should not be confused with Best R&B Album, which has been awarded since 1995.
MUTT includes the Grammy-winning “Vibes Don’t Lie,” as well as the Grammy-nominated “Yes It Is.” With Thomas’ latest wins, he now has three Grammys. He won his first award for Best R&B Song at 66th Grammys for his contribution to SZA’s “Snooze.”
In other awards news, Thomas is nominated in four categories at the 57th NAACP Image Awards, including for Outstanding Male Artist.
This summer, Thomas will open for Bruno Mars’ The Romantic Tour, which will also feature support from Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee .Wee, Victoria Monét and RAYE.
Here is every sophomore LP that won a Grammy for Best R&B Album (year awarded):
- CrazySexyCool — TLC (1996)
- Voodoo — D’Angelo (2001)
- Voyage To India — India.Arie (2003)
- The Diary of Alicia Keys — Alicia Keys (2005)
- Mutt — Leon Thomas (2026)
