Thundercat – the musical maestro, bass wonder and worldwide star – is known for his transcendent mix of genres and has now left an indelible mark on the musical world. For Stephen Bruner – as Thundercat is known to Los Angeles civil administration services – his stage name is both a reference to the cartoon he’s been crazy about since childhood, as well as an expression of his broad, vibrant and often superhuman approach to his craft. In 2020, the circle was complete when Bruner wrote a track for the cartoon series Thundercats Roar on Cartoon Network and became the voice of the character Grune the Destroyer.

In recent years, Thundercat has completed this transformation from genius bassist to bona fide star. He released The Golden Age of Apocalypse (2011), Apocalypse (2013) and Drunk (2017). His album It Is What It Is (2020) won in the category ‘Best Progressive R&B Album’ during the 63rd Grammy Awards. The artists who contributed to that album are Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole, Pedro Martins and Zack Fox.

Thundercat produced the album together with his former partner Flying Lotus, who in turn received a Grammy nomination in the category ‘Producer of the Year, Non-Classical’ for his work on the album.

2022 was a top year too, the highlight being his vocals and bass on the Gorillaz single and title trackCracker Island. He also played the main role in the video clip and appeared together with Gorillaz on stage at Coachella. He toured North America and Europe as support act to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers too.

This year started with a bang when Thundercat and Steve Lacy played their hit single Bad Habit on stage at the 65th Grammy Awards. What’s more, he released his latest single No More Lies with Tame Impala and announced a tour of five continents, including a concert in Belgium.

Aside from his own phenomenal albums, his basslines can also be heard on the albums of musical innovators like Kamasi Washington, Erykah Badu, Childish Gambino, Vic Mensa and Mac Miller. Even Prince was a fan.

© Daria Miasoedova (pictures)