Leon Thomas is receiving the ASCAP Vanguard Award on June 25 in Los Angeles at a private invitation-only event celebrating ASCAP’s top hip-hop, R&B, and gospel songwriters. The award recognizes ASCAP members whose innovative work is actively shaping the future of music. Previous recipients include Victoria Monét, Janelle Monáe, Migos, and Beastie Boys.
Thomas is a 3-time Grammy Award winner, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose trajectory is one of the more remarkable stories in modern R&B. Raised in Brooklyn by a vocal coach mother and a stepfather who played guitar for B.B. King, he started on Broadway in The Lion King before rising to prominence on Nickelodeon’s Victorious. After the show ended in 2013, he built a reputation as one of the industry’s most in-demand behind-the-scenes creatives, writing and producing for Ariana Grande, Drake, Chris Brown, and Kehlani.
In 2024, Thomas stepped fully into his own spotlight with the album ‘Mutt.’ The title track climbed to number 1 on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart and achieved double-platinum status. “Yes It Is” earned RIAA Gold certification. The album won 2 Grammy Awards, for Best R&B Album and Best Traditional R&B Performance, and an iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New R&B Artist. He had already taken home the ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Song of the Year Award in 2024 for co-writing the 11x platinum “Snooze.”
Thomas arrives at this recognition with a newly released EP, PHOLKS, and a tour with Bruno Mars in select markets on “The Romantic Tour.”