Leon Thomas Makes TV Debut with ‘Mutt’ on ‘The Late Show’

The same week he made his Billboard Hot 100 debut as a recording artist, Grammy-winning producer, actor and R&B star Leon Thomas made his live television debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Thursday (Feb. 6).

Surrounded by his band on a red-lit stage with a projection of his Mutt album cover behind him, Thomas tore through an impressive rendition of “Mutt,” the lead single from his sophomore album of the same name. Settling into the groove with a jazzy riff, Thomas and his band launched into the soulful rock-inflected number, slightly adjusting the arrangement for the new live setting. Thomas shined as both a vocalist and an instrumentalist, pairing his terrific vocal performance with a groovy guitar solo. With an NPR Tiny Desk sit on the way later this month, Thomas is treating us to a terrific string of live performances before he heads over to London for two sold-out shows on Feb. 21 and 23.

On the chart dated Feb. 8, “Mutt” debuted at No. 100, marking Thomas’ first entry as a credited artist. He previously soared as high as No. 2 as a producer and songwriter on SZA‘s Grammy-winning “Snooze” back in 2023. “Mutt” arrived last August as the first taste of its parent album, which Billboard named the Best R&B Album of 2024. This week (Feb. 5), Billboard staff ranked Thomas the No. 6 Hottest R&B Artist Right Now.

Leon Thomas is now the third Victorious cast member to chart a solo song on the Hot 100, joining Victoria Justice and Ariana Grande. Thomas co-wrote several songs on Grande’s Yours Truly (2013) and Positions (2020) albums, both of which debuted atop the Billboard 200.

Watch Leon Thomas’ live television debut below: