Leon Thomas Brings His ‘Authentic Essence’ to ‘Mutt’ Performance at 2025 BET Awards

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The R&B singer shredded his way through his hit single.

Leon Thomas III performs onstage at the BET Awards 2025 held at the Peacock Theater on June 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Leon Thomas III performs onstage at the BET Awards 2025 held at the Peacock Theater on June 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Christopher Polk

Leon Thomas performed his blockbuster hit “Mutt” at the 2025 BET Awards.

On Monday (July 9), the buzzing R&B crooner took the stage and ran through his Billboard chart-topping hit. The rockin’ run-through of the track concluded with a shredding guitar solo, which caused the audience to erupt in applause. The singer is currently nominated for best new artist and best male hip hop artist later in the show.

In a red-carpet interview with Billboard prior to the show, the singer said it was “so surreal” being at the BET Awards. “The first time I ever came to the BET Awards, I was 17 years old, just brand-new to the industry trying to figure things out,” he said. “So to be here performing and to be nominated is such a big deal, definitely full-circle.”

The singer also spoke about his impending performance, saying that it was meant to encapsulate who he is as an artist. “I’m really just bringing my authentic essence to that stage,” Thomas said. “I’m not trying to be anything I’m not.”

He also spoke about his upcoming Mutts Don’t Heel World Tour, and said he plans to just be himself when he steps out on that stage. “We goin’ outside, I’m real excited,” Thomas said, adding, “I really wanna get more into the storytelling aspect of my music.”

Leon Thomas’ tour kicks off in Dallas on Oct. 30 and will conclude in Perth, Washington, on April 19. Ambré will serve as Thomas’ opening act.

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