Bobby Carter | February 20, 2025
On the morning of Leon Thomas' Tiny Desk concert, many NPR staffers assumed the show was postponed due to a snowstorm in the D.C. area. Not only did he proactively schedule his coast-to-coast flight but he was also 30 minutes early to the office. With his sophomore album, MUTT, Thomas has planted his flag as the most exciting artist in R&B music today. The Tiny Desk had to happen now; nothing would get in the way of divine timing.
Thomas was destined to be an entertainer — he's been doing it for most of his life. His parents were both musicians and introduced him to their world early on. As an actor, he appeared in multiple Broadway plays before becoming a staple on the Nickelodeon network. Under the tutelage of Babyface, he earned his chops as a writer and producer, eventually penning and producing big hits in R&B and hip-hop.
He opens this set with three songs from MUTT and closes with two from 2023's Electric Dusk, including "Breaking Point," which he dedicates to his recently deceased grandfather, the opera singer John Anthony: "This is one of his favorite songs."
SET LIST
"VIBES DON'T LIE"
"YES IT IS"
"MUTT"
"Breaking Point"
"Treasure In The Hills"
MUSICIANS
Leon Thomas: vocals, guitar
Chris Payton: guitar
Ali Roots: keys, piano
Joe "Jough" Cleveland: bass
Quintin "Q" Gulledge: drums
TK: background vocals
Ayana Layli: background vocals
Sha'Leah Nikole: background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Grace Raver
Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Alanté Serene
Tiny Desk Team: Maia Stern, Lars Gotrich
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #leonthomas
On the morning of Leon Thomas' Tiny Desk concert, many NPR staffers assumed the show was postponed due to a snowstorm in the D.C. area. Not only did he proactively schedule his coast-to-coast flight but he was also 30 minutes early to the office. With his sophomore album, MUTT, Thomas has planted his flag as the most exciting artist in R&B music today. The Tiny Desk had to happen now; nothing would get in the way of divine timing.
Thomas was destined to be an entertainer — he's been doing it for most of his life. His parents were both musicians and introduced him to their world early on. As an actor, he appeared in multiple Broadway plays before becoming a staple on the Nickelodeon network. Under the tutelage of Babyface, he earned his chops as a writer and producer, eventually penning and producing big hits in R&B and hip-hop.
He opens this set with three songs from MUTT and closes with two from 2023's Electric Dusk, including "Breaking Point," which he dedicates to his recently deceased grandfather, the opera singer John Anthony: "This is one of his favorite songs."
SET LIST
"VIBES DON'T LIE"
"YES IT IS"
"MUTT"
"Breaking Point"
"Treasure In The Hills"
MUSICIANS
Leon Thomas: vocals, guitar
Chris Payton: guitar
Ali Roots: keys, piano
Joe "Jough" Cleveland: bass
Quintin "Q" Gulledge: drums
TK: background vocals
Ayana Layli: background vocals
Sha'Leah Nikole: background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Grace Raver
Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Alanté Serene
Tiny Desk Team: Maia Stern, Lars Gotrich
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #leonthomas
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DiversiónTranscripción
00:00I'm so mad, I don't know what to do
00:04Said yeah, yeah, yeah
00:10Said yeah, yeah, oh
00:16Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
00:22Oh, oh, oh, oh
00:30Flowers die and diamonds don't
00:34You shouldn't have to try it, no
00:42Tell me if you mind, I don't know
00:46We like wheezy and styrofoam
00:53She got it wrong
00:57Baby pushing G-class, getting big figures
01:00She could buy whatever, buy whatever, but a real nigga
01:03Flowers don't die like the mountain do
01:07Oh, oh, oh, oh
01:09Real nigga give a fuck what it come down to
01:15Hey, it's a difference over here
01:20Or maybe you would smell me
01:23She only drink water, she keep that pussy healthy
01:28It's the kind of bad thing that feel good, love it
01:33Good thing that feel bad when you get too much of it, babe
01:39Way to live for a little babe, I need more of it
01:44Way too high for a little babe, I'm sure of it
01:49Oh, oh, oh, oh
01:54Vibes don't lie
02:01Vibes don't lie
02:07Vibes don't lie
02:13Vibes don't lie
02:16We don't gotta force it, know what time it is
02:23We don't trip about what the next time is
02:26We don't gotta force it, baby just relax
02:29It's what it is, let it just be that
02:32Let it just be that
02:35Let it just be that
02:38Whoa
02:41I'm so glad I knew how to do
02:46Whoa
02:47Chris, give them some
02:49Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
03:19Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
03:49Hell yeah. This has to be the most lit office of all time. I'm fucking with y'all. Thank y'all. That's a vibe.
04:19When I'm talking to you, I don't know what to say. But I can call up a stranger and talk my whole life away. Milwaukee margaritas, I didn't know that was a thing.
04:33Carry me home or marry me now. I promise you everything. Chanel in every city. Sitting pretty, talking dirty. Filthy mouth, filthy legs, want my teeth purty.
04:45I know Bible scriptures on your left eye, verses you don't really live by. All she do is work, fuck Uber Eats and get high.
04:55Never will I fly your coach, babe. Never will I fly your coach, babe. Spend your summers on a boat, babe. I'm a vocal coach for your throat, babe.
05:05My ears are sensitive. Tell me that it's mine. My ears are sensitive. Tell me that it's mine.
05:25Oh, yes it is. Yes it is. My ears are sensitive. So when I ask you, is it mine? All I ever hear is yes it is.
05:43And Renee Covino walking across the tightrope. Bruises on her heart from jumping off boats. Gone for the weekend, yeah, that wasn't planned at first. Left on the first and it's already the hurt first.
05:59Young, wild, and free, I can't tame her. Young, wild, and pretty, and my Amy, I can't blame her. She a vodka, so I can't explain her. Tell me yes it is. Oh, yes it is.
06:25My ears are sensitive. Tell me that it's mine. Oh, yes it is. Oh, yes it is. My ears are sensitive. So when I ask you, is it mine? All I ever hear is yes it is.
06:49All you gotta do is say yes. Don't deny what you feel. Let me undress you, babe. Open up your mind just to rest. I'm about to let you know you make me so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so,
07:19so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so
07:49so much.
08:02I appreciate y'all having me out here. I'm a band coming out in the snow to
08:08catch a vibe with us tonight. Let's get it. Let's get it.
08:19She said, take your time, what's the rush I said, baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
08:35She said, take your time, what's the rush I said, baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
08:45I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
08:48I can't smoke no Reggie's, so pardon my bluntness
08:53I see past pretty faces, oh, I got trouble trusting
08:57But I'ma let my guard down for you
09:00Said, I put my guard down for you
09:02Said, I'll be vulnerable
09:05So you can break my heart if you want to
09:07She said, take your time, what's the rush
09:12I said, baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
09:17She said, take your time, what's the rush
09:22I said, baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
09:25I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
09:28New crib, told her come through, it's time to break it in
09:3332 like my pants size, cause a nigga tried breaking in
09:38New condo, say your name at the front, you can stay if you want
09:42It's been one of those nights, one of those nights I ain't had in a minute
09:47It's been a minute, had to pop a shroom to recreate the feeling
09:52But it's never the same as the first time we did it
09:56First time we did it
09:58I let my guard down for you
10:00Said, I put my guard down for you
10:02Said, I'll be vulnerable
10:05So you can break my heart if you want to
10:07She said, take your time, what's the rush
10:12I said, baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
10:16She said, take your time, what's the rush
10:22I said, baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
10:25I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
10:37I'm a dog, I'm a mutt
11:02Before we jump into this next one, I wanna dedicate it to Grandpa John
11:06who just left this earth not too long ago
11:08This is one of his favorite songs
11:37Oh, oh
11:49Slow dancing in this burning house
11:53I don't wanna go nowhere
11:59Ooh
12:04It's hard for me to listen
12:08When there's miles and miles of distance
12:12Feel your heart is drifting but you're right there
12:18I call you home
12:22But I might be alone
12:26I can't hear it in your tone
12:28We're in the danger zone
12:30In the danger zone
12:36Way past the breaking point
12:40Cause I can't talk down the line
12:44You are my only choice
12:48And we're both just in a void
12:52Way past the breaking point
12:56Cause I can't talk down the line
13:00You are my only choice
13:04And we're both just in a void
13:08Breaking point
13:12Breaking point
13:21They told me love was fragile
13:23They told me love was breakable
13:25I thought that I could handle
13:27But that is still debatable
13:29I thought that this was for me
13:31But it's feeling impossible
13:34Breaking point
13:36Breaking point
13:44City
13:48I said breaking point
13:51Breaking point
13:54What's running through my head
14:01How bad can it get
14:08No I'm not the type of man
14:12To run off on a bed
14:16And show my forehand
14:20Bring my plans for you
14:23What am I going through
14:28Cause it was
14:31What I've been going through
14:35My love is my only proof
14:38That this is what I'm supposed to do
14:40And they told me love was fragile
14:42They told me love was breakable
14:44I thought that I could handle
14:46But that is still debatable
14:48I thought that this was for me
14:50But it's feeling impossible
14:53Breaking point
14:55Breaking point
14:58I said whoa
15:02City
15:07I said breaking point
15:10Breaking point
15:26Breaking point
15:29applause
15:40whoo!
15:46guitar solo
15:54Yeah, yeah
15:59Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
16:04Yeah
16:07Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
16:11Yeah
16:15Play by those rules
16:20But I'd rather do something harder
16:24Let's find a room
16:29Inside this after party
16:33Been on the hunt
16:36Found what I want
16:38Found what I want
16:41Oh
16:43I found treasure in the hills
16:48I found treasure in the hills
16:53I found treasure in the hills
16:57I found treasure in the hills
17:03Chase more than diamonds and gold
17:06I'm trying to find me a soul
17:12Chase more than diamonds and gold
17:16I'm trying to find me a soul
17:20You'd live alone
17:25And right now it's you and your shadow
17:29Let's change that up
17:34Let's take it into tomorrow
17:38Been on the hunt
17:41Found what I want
17:43Found what I want
17:46Oh
17:48I found treasure in the hills
17:53I found treasure in the hills
17:58I found treasure in the hills
18:02I found treasure in the hills
18:07Chase more than diamonds and gold
18:11I'm trying to find me a soul
18:16Chase more than diamonds and gold
18:20I'm trying to find me a soul
18:28Yeah, oh, yeah
18:59cheers & applause
19:04laughs
19:08cheers & applause
19:13Thank y'all so much.
19:16cheers & applause
19:19whoo!
19:21cheers & applause
19:26Oh, first of all, thank y'all for coming out in the snow.
19:29Man, it was kind of crazy.
19:30I wasn't even sure if this was going to happen, for real.
19:32Yeah, thank y'all so much, for real.
19:34cheers & applause