In a surprising upset on the urban radio landscape, rising star Leon Thomas has officially dethroned Drake on the prestigious Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart with his breakout hit “Mutt.” The track, produced by D. Phelps and Freaky Rob, climbed from No. 4 to No. 1 on urban radio charts in late May 2025, displacing Drake’s “Nokia,” which fell to No. 5.
According to Mediabase tracking data, “Mutt” garnered 5,685 spins and generated 14.98 million audience impressions during the week of its ascension to the top spot. This milestone represents Thomas’ first No. 1 on the urban radio chart, marking a significant achievement in his burgeoning career.
Industry-tracking metrics confirm Thomas’ explosive entry to the top tier of urban radio with his debut No. 1 hit.
The song’s impressive performance extends beyond urban radio, as “Mutt” simultaneously rose from No. 2 to No. 1 in its 16th week on the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. The track has demonstrated remarkable staying power, maintaining an extended run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart for at least seven weeks by mid-2025, having previously enjoyed a 14-week reign at the top position.
On the broader charts, “Mutt” peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, reached No. 19 on Radio Songs, achieved No. 5 on Rhythmic Airplay, and climbed to No. 3 on R&B Digital Song Sales. This multi-chart success solidifies Thomas as a significant new presence in the R&B landscape.
The urban radio competitive field in mid-2025 featured several notable entries, including SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar (“30 For 30”), Kendrick Lamar with SZA (“Luther”), and Chris Brown’s “Residuals,” alongside Drake’s “Nokia.” Thomas has maintained his #1 position for 13 weeks, an impressive streak that illustrates his growing influence in the industry.
Thomas publicly celebrated his first No. 1 achievement on social media on August 24, 2025, when “Mutt” topped Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The hit song serves as the title track for Thomas’ sophomore album released through Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY/Motown Records in September 2024.
Thomas has effectively leveraged streaming platforms to build momentum for “Mutt,” securing placements on influential curated playlists across Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. His team executed strategic pre-save campaigns that helped generate anticipation before the single’s official release.
Industry insiders have noted that this breakthrough represents a potential shift in the genre’s hierarchy, as Thomas has successfully challenged established artists like Drake while building his own fanbase through consistent chart performance and growing radio presence.
