Leon Thomas scored two wins on the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 1).
At the Premiere Ceremony, held forward of the principle telecast, Thomas gained Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Vibes Don’t Lie.” The class additionally 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 12 months’s ceremony (six), was not current when the award was known as — for good cause. The Best New Artist nominee was wrapping up rehearsals for his efficiency for the principle telecast.
His mom accepted the award on his behalf. “We are so honored. Thank you, Academy, for voting for him,” she mentioned. “He labored so exhausting on this album, and he’s so completely satisfied to get such an exquisite reception.”
Thomas additionally gained Best R&B Album for his lauded LP, MUTT, which was additionally nominated for Album of the Year. The stacked class additionally included Givēon’s Beloved, Ledisi’s The Crown, Teyana Taylor’s Escape Room and Coco Jones’ Why Not More?
By the time the class was known as, Thomas had made it from the rehearsal stage to the rostrum to just accept the dignity.
“This is such a second as a result of it is a miracle of endurance,” he mentioned. “And I’ve to say proper now, I’ve to thank God for this second. There’s been so many individuals on this run which have helped me get right here.” He went on to thank his administration staff, label, and oldsters, who all believed in him. Thomas concluded with, “Just know that reside music, reside R&B is value it, and I’m going to maintain going.”
MUTT is the primary sophomore album by a solo male artist to win within the Best R&B Album class since D’Angelo’s Voodoo on the forty third Grammys in 2001. In the class’s 31-year historical past, it is barely the second to ever obtain this feat. Among all solo artists, MUTT is the primary sophomore LP to win Best R&B Album since Alicia Keys‘ The Diary of Alicia Keys in 2005, which was additionally nominated for Album of the Year.
It’s value noting that the Best Contemporary R&B Album — a separate, now-defunct class 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 class, nonetheless, shouldn’t be confused with Best R&B Album, which has been awarded since 1995.
MUTT consists of the Grammy-winning “Vibes Don’t Lie,” in addition to the Grammy-nominated “Yes It Is.” With Thomas’ newest wins, he now has three Grammys. He gained his first award for Best R&B Song at 66th Grammys for his contribution to SZA’s “Snooze.”
In different awards information, Thomas is nominated in 4 classes on the 57th NAACP Image Awards, together with for Outstanding Male Artist.
This summer time, Thomas will open for Bruno Mars’ The Romantic Tour, which will even function assist from Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee .Wee, Victoria Monét and RAYE.
Here is each sophomore LP that gained a Grammy for Best R&B Album (12 months 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)
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