Leon Thomas & Halle, RATHER BE ALONE | Dazzling Duets

In the 20^th edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), R&B musicians Leon Thomas and Halle collaborate on “RATHER BE ALONE.”

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case when it comes to Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight striking songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column. In the 20^th edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), Leon Thomas and Halle collaborate on “RATHER BE ALONE”. Let the dazzle begin!

Oh, indeed, Leon Thomas! The Grammy-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer collaborates with the talented, Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Halle (Halle Bailey) on “RATHER BE ALONE”. “RATHER DIE ALONE” was released as a single ahead of Thomas’s 2025 album, MUTT Deluxe: HEEL. Here, the duet appears as the sixth track on the second disc. “ALONE” was written by Thomas, Halle, Robert Fairfax III, and D. Phelps (David Kenneth Phelps). Thomas, Freaky Rob, and D. Phelps produced it.

On “RATHER BE ALONE,” Leon Thomas and Halle have great synergy.  They are also supported by a sublime backdrop, with an intriguing harmonic progression.  This is R&B, but it also showcases the creative spirit and versatility of Thomas. Thomas draws first blood, performing most of the chorus alone. “I’d rather be alone, rather be alone / Than in a broken home,” he sings, and concludes, “Tryin’ to do this for the both of us on my own.” Halle enters on the final word.  She sings alongside Thomas in the post-chorus, on the lyric, “Oh.” From there, Leon continues to ‘lead the charge,’ if you will.  He performs the refrain, first verse, and once more, most of the second chorus.  “‘Cause you’re unpredictable, and I’m used to having control / Risk is acquired, I pay the toll,” he memorably sings in the first verse, adding, “My heart’s bulletproof, I’m wearing a vest.” In the second chorus, Halle plays a slightly bigger role, joining forces with Thomas in the final line. She earns her first notable solo moment performing the second verse and taking the lead on the third chorus.  Despite the dysfunction of their relationship, Halle asserts, “‘Cause without you I’m crazy / You’re dangerous, my baby, we’re broken, but beautiful.” Wow! Here, she sounds angelic. “RATHER BE ALONE” concludes with one final post-chorus and an outro, performed mostly by Thomas. All in all, both Leon Thomas and Halle bring it separately, and when duetting on “RATHER BE ALONE”.  R&B is cooler than it once was, at least in regards to the pop charts, but collaborations like this, with incredibly gifted artists, prove the genre is far from dead.

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Leon Thomas » MUTT Deluxe: HEEL » EZMNY Records / Motown Records » 2025

Leon Thomas & Halle, RATHER BE ALONE: Dazzling Duets No. 20 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; EZMNY Records / Motown Records; ANTONI SHKRABA production from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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