Thundercat On 'It Is What It Is,' Losing Mac Miller And Learning To Do Nothing
Stephen Bruner, better known as Thundercat, is one of the music industry's most eclectic and prolific collaborators. Over the past five years, the virtuosic bass player has worked with everyone from Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar to Michael McDonald. His latest album, It Is What It Is, was released on Friday and it features the same expansive range of genres and styles.
With appearances from Childish Gambino, Kamasi Washington and Lil B, It Is What Is hops from jazz to funk to R&B, full of Thundercat's signature dizzyingly-fast bass runs and sense of humor. The album also has plenty of somber moments, like when he reflects on the passing of his late friend Mac Miller.
"It's hard to see clearly through the pain of losing him," he says.
NPR's Michel Martin spoke to Thundercat about the influence of Mac Miller, including the story behind his cameo the Tiny
