Leon Thomas Turns His Viral NPR Tiny Desk Performance Into a New EP

Leon Thomas has transformed his February NPR Tiny Desk performance into an EP.

Mutt (Live From NPR’S Tiny Desk) arrived on Friday (Aug. 15), and includes the recorded performances of “Yes It Is,” “Mutt,” “Vibes Don’t Lie,” “Treasure in the Hills” and “Breaking Point.” The EP comes after Thomas’ Tiny Desk surpassed 3.5 million views on YouTube.

The stripped-down version, meant as a special edition, is a gift to fans and will get them ready for Leon Thomas’ upcoming Mutts Don’t Heel World Tour. The sold-out North American leg kicks off Oct. 30 in Dallas, with stops in Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles. Rising R&B standout Ambré will join as support across the U.S. and Canada. Before hitting the road, Thomas will headline Billboard’s Hip-Hop & R&B LIVE concert on Sept. 5 at Webster Hall in New York City.

The exciting release also comes after Ty Dolla $ign declared Leon Thomas to be the new King of R&B. In an interview with Billboard, Ty Dolla said Thomas was the easiest artist he’s ever worked with. He signed Thomas to his EZMNY record label earlier this year.

“We started our record company EZMNY — me and Shawn Barron — and signed Leon Thomas, who is now the new king of this s–t,” Ty Dolla $ign said. “He’s the easiest artist I’ve worked with — ever in life. He’s the new example of what an artist should be, in my eyes.”

Revisit Leon Thomas’ Tiny Desk performance below.