Fresh off receiving six Grammy nominations for his 2024 effort Mutt, Leon Thomas arrived in Atlanta earlier this month for his MUTTS DON’T HEEL World Tour, one of 25 stops on the North American leg.
This year’s ONE Music Fest didn’t hinge on new trends or viral moments. It was all about the classics. The festival’s lineup leaned heavily on legacy acts whose hits still soundtrack cookouts and car rides decades later. From ’90s icons to early-2000s chart-toppers, the energy across both days proved that nostalgia still holds the strongest pull in music.
On Thursday, September 4th, Billboard hosted its annual Hip-Hop/R&B Power Players Awards at Unveiled in Brooklyn, New York.
From 8 PM to 2 AM, the energy inside Avalon was electric. The night blended music, celebration, and artistry in a space that matched the bold, genre-defying spirit of Leon Thomas’ latest project.
Last week we were at Academy LA, in the heart of Hollywood, for one of the best Grammy’s Afterparty’s. After the most anticipated nights in music, Lucid Motors and Affinity presented “Music is Life | Life is Music” hosted by that night’s 2x Grammy Award-winning Leon Thomas and Grammy award-winning songwriter Derrick Milano.
Affinity Nightlife is an event, casting, and promotion company based in Los Angeles. With over 20 years of experience producing extravagant nightlife and lifestyle events, they have been able to develop worldwide relationships.
The first host, Leon Thomas, is known for his work behind some of the biggest songs in music. He has worked with artists like Sza, Ariana Grande, Drake, Post Malone, Chris Brown, Zendaya, Jack Harlow, Ty Dolla $ign, 6lack, Ella Mai, Kehlani, Giveon, Jessie Reyez, and Babyface. The other host of the night, Derrick Milano, is also well known for writing hit songs for artists like Justin Bieber, Pop Smoke, Nicki Minaj, and Megan Thee Stallion.
The invite-only celebration honored the excellence of music’s biggest names who are songwriters, producers, creators, and talent. Guests were able to enjoy sounds by celebrity DJs Talon Reid, Dre Sinatra, and Justin Credible with a surprise guest performance by Ty Dolla $ign. Celebrity DJ Talon Reid and Dre Sinatra called Ty Dolla $ign to the stage where he performed and gave congratulatory shout-outs to his friend’s wins along with a congratulatory shot. This surprise performance was a treat for a night that was already filled with music, dancing, and overall good vibes.
More images from the night are below.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Talon Reid attends Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: A general view of atmosphere at Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Derrick Milano and Adam Glove attend Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Westside V attends Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Leon Thomas III attends Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: A general view of atmosphere at Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: 3Six, Ryan Witherspoon, Rod Henley and Capella Grey attend Affinity Nightlife presents "Music Is Love | Love is Music" Grammys after party at Academy LA on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Affinity Nightlife)
You may know him from ‘Detroit’, ‘Victorious, for being 1/2 of ‘The Rascals’, or maybe even from ‘Insecure’ — Leon Thomas is a multifaceted artist whose catalog is only growing towards bigger and better things.
Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit is more relevant now than ever.