R&B powerhouse Leon Thomas is launching the next phase of his career with the just-released deluxe edition of his platinum “Mutt” album, a Grammy last year for his work on SZA’s smash “Snooze,” and a just-announced massive world tour — and, less expectedly, a concert at JFK Airport.
He wasn’t busking: His performance christened the new Capital One Lounge at his hometown’s main airport. He transformed the state‑of‑the‑art space into a cozy live venue and performed a tight set of songs, including new tracks from “Mutt Deluxe: Heel.”
The Capital One Lounge feels like a restaurant/bar in a high‑end NYC high‑rise — without the overpriced drinks or long lines. From decor crafted by native New York businesses to taster trays with local fare, it gives travelers a taste of the city before takeoff.
As a touring musician and, previously, a working actor on shows like “Victorious” (he was even on a Variety “Up Next” list in 2010), Thomas is no stranger to travel. “My mom, she was the type to have us at the airport almost like two hours before the flight, so that kind of carried on into my adult life,” the Brooklyn native says. “So I actually really enjoy the lounges. It’s a great way for me to be able to catch up, get a little coffee, free breakfast.”
(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Capital One)
Getty Images for Capital One
Jenn Scheurich, Capital One’s Head of Travel, Lounge & Retail Experience, says, “When we decided how we were going to bring local to life within our footprint, it was really important to us that it felt authentic and true to the region, actually buying products and things from local purveyors. We were contributing back to the local economy, bringing artwork into our lounges so that we were leveraging this incredible platform for artists. And who better to introduce our lounge to the media and the local community than someone deeply rooted in New York?”
The platinum success of “Mutt” has brought Thomas a lot of new fans — including one he did not expect. “A friend of mine called me — Ledisi, she’s an artist herself,” Thomas recalls, speaking with Variety after the JFK performance. “She was like, ‘Hey, I wanna put somebody on the phone’ — and Stevie Wonder jumped on the phone and sang the hook of ‘Mutt’ to me, but in a really funny accent.” He laughs, “I thought that was so cool, man. It really feels like this is a changing of a chapter — and there’s plenty of great storylines to come.”
See more from the conversation below:
Your tour sold out within minutes — why do you think it and the album are connecting so well?
When I was working on this album, the whole concept was to make records that would translate really well on the stage. For me, I look up to artists like Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars and Prince — these are artists who made records that resonate with a live audience. They’re selling more than just music; it’s an experience. People want to come and party, they want to have a good time with me. It’s going to be a really great experience to not just go domestically, but worldwide — to hit Australia, Europe, America, all in one fell swoop.
What does it feel like to be engaging with some of these new audiences?
It’s amazing, man. My trip to the UK — I did two shows in London at Coco — and I wasn’t quite sure if people really knew a lot of my music out there. But when I touched down, man, it was nothing but love. So I’m looking forward to most likely having that same experience in other European countries as well. I’m really excited that we’re at a place right now where I can turn that dream into fruition.
(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Capital One)
Getty Images for Capital One
That’s a lot of travel. How do you keep yourself together while on the road?
You know, being organized is something that doesn’t come naturally to me, so I’ve been working on that, to be honest. I have my process of how to pack and what I do when I first get to a hotel now. It’s really important to look into mental health — that’s a big thing. So meditation in the morning, if I can find my way to a little gym, a little run, it all helps when you’re on the road and you’re constantly dealing with stressful situations, which just come up when you’re doing shows. From things not being delivered on time or whatever else, you gotta find your peace first thing in the morning and right before sleep.
How does it feel to be recognized now as a major New York artist?
Listen man, it’s the city that raised me. There’s so much of the city that resonates with who I am as a human being — the different cultures, the style, the swag — and I’m just glad that the city’s embracing me. There’s so many people that come from New York, but it’s really hard to start getting mentioned in those few names that are discussed when you think of the city. I’m going to continue to rep the New York City flag, you heard? in my DNA, man — so I’m never gonna stop.
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