Kobalt Music, the world’s largest independent music publisher, has long been known for championing songwriters and redefining the way music publishing works. From its advanced tech infrastructure to its artist-first approach, Kobalt has earned the trust of some of the most iconic names in music—Paul McCartney, Phoebe Bridgers, Stevie Nicks, and now, Bizzy Crook, the writer behind one of R&B’s biggest recent hits.
The company announced the signing of Bizzy Crook, the multi-talented rapper and songwriter who co-wrote Leon Thomas’s breakout single “Mutt,” which has climbed to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The song, a standout blend of nostalgic balladry, modern R&B, and guitar-fueled rock, has already surpassed 51 million streams on Spotify and continues to gain momentum.
A statement from the company discloses that “We’re beyond excited to welcome Bizzy Crook to the Kobalt family,” said Genevieve Huguely, Kobalt’s Manager, Creative. “His talent as a songwriter and storyteller is undeniable, and his work on ‘Mutt’ is a testament to the kind of creativity and vision we love to support. Bizzy brings a fresh perspective and a unique voice to everything he touches, and we’re proud to be part of this next chapter in his journey.”
Bizzy’s lyrical contributions were key to the success of “Mutt,” the lead single from Leon Thomas’s sophomore album of the same name. Their creative partnership has been widely praised, with Thomas crediting Bizzy for his sharp lyrical instincts and inventive ideas. In a 2024 interview with Blavity, Thomas explained, “Bizzy Crook is a rapper and he’s really good at coming up with outlandish things and bars, and I have all of the melodies… It’s kind of like playing Tetris with words.”
The album Mutt has received widespread acclaim, landing the #1 spot on Billboard’s list of Top R&B Albums for 2024. Its success has been further bolstered by two official remixes, including one with Chris Brown released in March 2025.
Reflecting on his journey to this milestone, Bizzy Crook shared what the signing means to him. A statement from the company quotes him saying, “Ultimately, after 15 years of grinding, being told no, and never giving up; then finally catching my first #1 record, ownership was important to me. I felt like Kobalt best understood my journey, my vision, and my value.”
For Kobalt, the signing underscores its continued focus on partnering with forward-thinking artists who are shaping the future of music. And for Bizzy Crook, it marks the beginning of a new chapter—one where his voice, vision, and songwriting are set to reach even greater heights.
