“There’s a specific Texas pride in Fort Worth”

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I moved to Fort Worth when I was two years old, so I’m a Texan. I love the slower pace here and that the people are so salty. I’m always on the go – in Los Angeles, in New York, on tour – and sometimes I find people a little superficial or pretentious. Life here has a simplicity. My parents still live in Fort Worth, and my inner circle — the people I met at the height of fame, including my security — are all based here, too.

Fort Worth isn’t as progressive as Austin, but the food scene and population are evolving. There’s a specific Texas pride here—in our roots and in our culture—and I think my music reflects that. It’s Texas twang meets R&B and all the western aesthetics that go along with it.

The city has seen the addition of many cool hotels recently: Bowie House is one of the best. It’s a great environment to meet people and it’s also near Dickies Arena, so people flock there from all over to see musicians like Paul McCartney and Janet Jackson. I played there too. The Dryce Hotel is another great option – it’s housed in an old industrial warehouse – and I love the Drover Hotel in the Fort Worth Stockyards for its great bar and true Texas spirit. The Stockyards is where cowboys historically traded cattle and still has that classic western vibe, right down to the rodeo. There are so many places to hang out with drugs.

I still love going and playing impromptu shows at the dive bar where I was discovered

I cut my teeth on Magnolia Avenue, an artsy part of town with lots of music venues and restaurants. Sadly, some of the staples have closed as the musicians have moved on to Nashville and LA, but there is one dive bar – the Boiled Owl Tavern – that is particularly significant as it was where I was discovered. I still love to go and play impromptu shows with the original musicians of the time.

Cherry on Magnolia Cafe is always a stop for an Americano and gluten-free cake. It was started by friends, so I like to support them. Paris Coffee Shop is another old school favorite. It is located in the Near Southside district and is a great place for breakfast or lunch. Heim Barbecue is the place for classic Texas barbecue – brisket and pulled pork – Calisience makes the best tacos and burritos, and Shaw’s Patio Bar & Grill serves up late-night burgers and wings.

There is so much going on in Fort Worth right now. The Kimbell Art Museum and Water Gardens were both featured in Kendrick Lamar’s video for “N95,” while the Tadao Ando-designed Museum of Modern Art is a highlight of the Cultural District. One of my favorite exhibits was in 2023 at Jammie Holmes, whose work explores the stories of the South. Trinity Park is also very nostalgic: I spent a lot of time playing here as a child.

Shopping is great fun and Doc’s Records and Vintage are favorites for everything from vinyl to vintage Wrangler jeans and broken-in cowboy boots. I love a Canadian tuxedo – head to toe denim – and I’m currently working on finding the right pair of denim boots. For custom styles, ML Leddy’s is the OG, and I recently got my dad a colorful pair of custom made Ramblin Trails custom boots that were inspired by the New Orleans Saints, his favorite football team. For an authentic Texas experience, go to a Texas Christian University game. Football is a religion here, and while our team doesn’t really have the sauce at the moment, the fans have great spirit.

I love that Fort Worth has its own identity: it doesn’t aspire to be New York or LA, or even nearby Dallas. It always has that charming, down-to-earth feel, and I don’t think that will ever change. My last album, Leonshines a light on Fort Worth and growing up in the historic South. It’s about the experiences – and the city – that made me who I am today.

Leon is out now on Columbia Records