# Leon James (composer)

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Indian film composer and singer

Leon James Born (1991-12-01) 1 December 1991 (age 34) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Origin Tamil Nadu, India Occupations Film composer Music director Instrument keyboard/piano

Musical artist

**Leon James** (Leo) is an Indian [film composer](/source/Film_score) and singer who works in [Tamil](/source/Tamil_cinema) and [Telugu](/source/Telugu_cinema) films. He made his debut by composing two songs for the Tamil film, *[Kanchana 2](/source/Kanchana_2)* (2015) directed by [Raghava Lawrence](/source/Raghava_Lawrence), before being noticed for his work in *[Ko 2](/source/Ko_2)* (2016).[1]

## Early life

Leon James became interested in music as a result of his father Noel James's involvement in the industry as [A. R. Rahman](/source/A._R._Rahman)'s manager. As a child, Leon was both a singer (as part of a chorus group) and pianist. He played in a school band called Zinx alongside [Anirudh Ravichander](/source/Anirudh_Ravichander), with the pair remaining close friends.[2] He is also currently a part of Project Yuj, a "neo-Carnatic funk" band alongside [Aalap Raju](/source/Aalap_Raju), Prakash Hariharan and Jeoraj George and the team released an independent album in November 2014.[3] Prior to making his debut as a composer, Leon has worked as a keyboardist for stage shows and film albums composed by [Santhosh Narayanan](/source/Santhosh_Narayanan), [Anirudh Ravichander](/source/Anirudh_Ravichander) and [Thaman](/source/S._Thaman).[4] Leon's father died in January 2025.[5]

## Career

Leon James made a breakthrough in the Tamil film industry after his work was spotted by [Raghava Lawrence](/source/Raghava_Lawrence), who was working on his horror comedy film *[Kanchana 2](/source/Kanchana_2)* (2015). Lawrence had heard a romantic melody song composed by Leon on YouTube and wanted it adapted to be used in his film, and subsequently brought the composer on board to work on the film's soundtrack. The song, "Vaayaa En Veera" sung by [Shakthisree Gopalan](/source/Shakthisree_Gopalan), won positive reviews with [Karthik Srinivasan](/source/Karthik_Srinivasan) noting that "Leon's music seems very new-agey" and his "sound is fresh, and purposefully cluttered".[6] He later asked Leon to work on a further fast-paced song to be used in the film's climax, and the tune "Sandi Muni" was resultantly produced. The film went on to become amongst the profitable ventures of the year, with Leon's work noticed by critics.[7][8] Soon after the release of the film in April 2015, he teamed up with singer [Andrea Jeremiah](/source/Andrea_Jeremiah) to record a song called "Ezhunthu Vaa" to promote female empowerment.[9]

The successful nature of his work in his first album prompted producer [Elred Kumar](/source/Elred_Kumar) to sign him up to work on the whole album for the political-thriller, *[Ko 2](/source/Ko_2)* (2015).[10] The album of *Ko 2* entailed of six tracks, with a promotional song titled "Unnai Maatrinal" released early as a tribute to former Indian President [Abdul Kalam](/source/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam), consisting of lyrics based on his speeches. The album featured vocals from Bollywood artistes [Vishal Dadlani](/source/Vishal_Dadlani), [Salim Merchant](/source/Salim%E2%80%93Sulaiman) and [Neeti Mohan](/source/Neeti_Mohan), while [Chinmayi](/source/Chinmayi_Sripada) and Leon James, himself, also recorded songs. Leon James also chose to introduce Harish Sivaramakrishnan from the [Bangalore](/source/Bangalore)-based rock band [Agam](/source/Agam_(band)) and London-based singer Inno Genga, for their first respective songs in the Tamil film industry.[11][12]

## Discography

### As composer

#### Original soundtrack

Year Work Language Notes 2015 Kanchana 2 Tamil 2 songs "Sandi Muni" and "Vaaya Veera" Ko 2 2016 Kavalai Vendam 2018 Veera Next Enti? Telugu Silukkuvarupatti Singam Tamil 2019 LKG 2020 Oh My Kadavule 2021 Paagal Telugu 1 song "Kanapadava" Background score 2022 Ori Devuda Remake of Oh My Kadavule 2023 Das Ka Dhamki Single Shankarum Smartphone Simranum Tamil Saba Nayagan 2025 Laila Telugu Dragon Tamil Mazaka Telugu Sundarakanda Premante [13] TBA G.O.A.T †

### As vocalist

#### Non-film songs

- 2015 – "Ezhunthu Vaa" (featuring [Andrea Jeremiah](/source/Andrea_Jeremiah))

- 2015 – "Punnagaiyya" (featuring [Andrea Jeremiah](/source/Andrea_Jeremiah))

- 2018 – "Kanne Kanne" (featuring [Jonita Gandhi](/source/Jonita_Gandhi))

- 2020 - "Unna Vida Maaten" (featuring [Andrea Jeremiah](/source/Andrea_Jeremiah))

- 2020 - "Suzhaluren" (featuring [Ko Sesha](/source/Ko_Sesha))

- 2021 - "Unakaaga Naan Irupen" (featuring Avinash Ashok & Shubhangi Jha)

#### Film songs

Year Film Song Notes 2006 Varalaru "Thottapuram" composed by A. R. Rahman 2015 Kanchana 2 "Sandimuni" Ko 2 "Kohila", "Vidaadha" 2016 Kavalai Vendam "En Pulse Yethitu Poriye" 2017 Sakka Podu Podu Raja "Unakkaga" composed by Silambarasan 2018 Veera "Ootaanda Soltuvaa" 2020 Oh My Kadavule "Haiyyo Haiyyo" 2025 Mazaka "Baby Ma" Telugu song Dragon "Rise of Dragon" Telugu dubbed song

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["From Kanchana-2 to Ko 2"](http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ko2-music-director-leon-james-talks-about-his-music-journey/article7927396.ece). *The Hindu*. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Srinivasan, Latha. ["No rivalry between Anirudh and me, says 23-year-old music director Leon James"](https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-no-rivalry-between-anirudh-and-me-says-23-year-old-music-director-leon-james-2139084). *DNA India*. Retrieved 15 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Srinivasa Ramanujam (27 October 2014). ["The new funk formula"](http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/meet-the-members-of-project-yuj-a-chennai-band-that-promises-a-different-sound/article6538290.ece). *The Hindu*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["An exclusive interview with Leon James by Avinash Pandian"](http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-director/leon-james/an-exclusive-interview-with-leon-james-by-avinash-pandian.html). *Behindwoods*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Leon James's Father Passes Away; Music Director Performs Final Rites Yet Delivers Song On Time"](https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/telugu/leon-jamess-father-passes-away-music-director-performs-final-rites-yet-delivers-song-on-time-article-117699163). *Times Now*. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Srinivasan, Karthik](/source/Karthik_Srinivasan) (11 April 2015). ["Hitman"](http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/hitman/article7092834.ece). *The Hindu*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Thrilled when Lawrence asked for my song"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Thrilled-when-Lawrence-asked-for-my-song/articleshow/46945353.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Srinivasa Ramanujam (2 April 2015). ["Striking a musical chord"](http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/striking-a-musical-chord/article7062430.ece). *The Hindu*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Actress Andrea Jeremiah and Leon James team up for a song called Ezhunthu Va, on women empowerment"](http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/andrea-and-leon-james-teams-up-for-a-song-called-ezunthu-va-on-women-empowerment.html). *Behindwoods*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Leon James signs Bobby Simhaa's film"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Leon-James-signs-Bobby-Simhaas-film/articleshow/47231226.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Exclusive details of 'Ko 2' music Album from its composer Leon James"](https://www.indiaglitz.com/exclusive-details-of-ko-2-music-album-from-its-composer-leon-james-tamil-news-142932.html). *IndiaGlitz*. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Ko2 song-preview by Sony Music!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151104072108/http://www.sify.com/movies/ko2-song-preview-by-sony-music-news-tamil-pj0lINchbchde.html). *Sify*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sify.com/movies/ko2-song-preview-by-sony-music-news-tamil-pj0lINchbchde.html) on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Devulapally, Aditya (9 October 2025). ["'Dhochaave Nanne' from Premante? strikes the perfect fusion of melody and groove"](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Oct/09/dhochaave-nanne-from-premante-strikes-the-perfect-fusion-of-melody-and-groove). *Cinema Express*. Retrieved 9 November 2025.

## External links

- [Leon James](https://www.facebook.com/leonjamesofficial) on [Facebook](/source/Facebook_(identifier))

Authority control databases: Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Leon James (composer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_James_(composer)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_James_(composer)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.