Thundercat Quotes

Powerful Thundercat for Daily Growth

About Thundercat

Born on October 18, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, Stephen Bruner, better known by his stage name Thundercat (real name a nod to the animated superhero), is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has made a significant impact on contemporary jazz and R&B music. Raised in the LA suburb of Ladera Heights, Thundercat was exposed to music at an early age through his father Ronald Bruner Sr., a renowned drummer, and his uncle, bassist Stephen "Steve" Bruner Jr. Known for his distinctive bass playing style that seamlessly blends funk, jazz, rock, and electronic elements, Thundercat's musical journey began in church where he learned to play the organ and bass guitar. Thundercat's professional career took off when he joined the band Suicidal Tendencies as a bassist at the age of 16. He later collaborated with electro-funk artist Flying Lotus, appearing on his albums "Cosmogramma" (2010) and "You're Dead!" (2014), which solidified Thundercat's position in the music industry. In 2011, Thundercat released his debut studio album, "The Golden Age of Apocalypse," followed by "Apocalypse" (2013) and "Drunk" (2017), which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance for the single "These Walls." Thundercat's music is known for its complex compositions, thoughtful lyrics, and emotional depth, making him one of the most influential figures in modern jazz. Throughout his career, Thundercat has collaborated with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Kamasi Washington, and Pharrell Williams, among others, demonstrating his versatility and ability to traverse various musical genres. With a unique approach to music-making, Thundercat continues to push the boundaries of jazz while maintaining a strong connection to his roots.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Now or never, because the future ain't promised"

This quote by Thundercat encourages immediate action, as the uncertainty of tomorrow implies that we should seize opportunities when they present themselves. It underscores the importance of living in the moment while acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of the future.


"We are the planet"

This quote by Thundercat, "We are the planet," implies a deep understanding that humanity is an integral part of Earth, not its master or conqueror. It suggests a profound interconnectedness between humans, other species, and our environment. The message calls for responsibility and stewardship over the planet we inhabit, emphasizing that our actions have far-reaching consequences for all life on Earth. Essentially, it asserts that human existence is wholly dependent on the health of our planet, urging us to treat it with care and respect.


"Friends, I must say that this life is a beautiful thing"

This quote emphasizes the beauty inherent in human relationships and life itself. It suggests that our existence, with its imperfections and complexities, holds a unique charm and value. The beauty of life lies not only in the individual moments but also in the connections we share with others, which are often characterized by friendship and camaraderie. The speaker seems to be reminding us to appreciate the richness and preciousness of our lives and relationships, as they make life truly beautiful.


"The truth is hard to swallow but it sets you free"

The quote suggests that acknowledging difficult or uncomfortable truths, despite their initial discomfort, ultimately liberates us. By confronting reality, we gain clarity, growth, and the ability to make informed decisions, leading to personal freedom and improved understanding of ourselves and the world around us.


"Don't forget to be awesome" (often abbreviated as DFTBA)

The quote "Don't Forget To Be Awesome" (DFTBA) by Thundercat is a call-to-action, encouraging people to remember the importance of individuality, creativity, and uniqueness in their daily lives. It serves as a reminder that everyone has potential for greatness and should strive to express themselves in extraordinary ways. Essentially, it encourages individuals to live boldly and maintain their personal awesomeness amidst the mundane aspects of life.


Driving around with my dad, growing up, he would play everything: Philip Bailey, Manhattan Transfer, Frank Zappa, Cream. I'd be like, 'Dad, cut this stuff off!' And he'd say, 'No, you're gonna listen to it.' I didn't understand why he liked it so much. In my mind, I would be thinking about the theme song to 'Sonic the Hedgehog.'

- Thundercat

Play, Frank, Cut, Sonic

I'm left-handed.

- Thundercat

Left-Handed

The church we grew up playing at was not one of those churches known for its music, but it was just this all-around energy that would be happening because, at the same time we'd be playing in church, we'd be playing in the city jazz band under Reggie Edwards.

- Thundercat

City, Jazz, Jazz Band, Churches

'Mortal Kombat,' the first arcade one, that soundtrack sounds like a Chick Corea album.

- Thundercat

Like, Soundtrack, Sounds, Arcade

It doesn't even feel like racism is real. It just feels like the weirdest ploy, like we're just being had on so many levels. It's even kind of funny when you think about it. A reason not to like someone is 'because you're black.' C'mon, man. How dumb is that?

- Thundercat

Reason, Feels, Many Levels, Ploy

Yeah, I'd like to collaborate with God. Do a collaboration with God!

- Thundercat

Collaboration, Like, Yeah, Collaborate

My first reaction to playing at Coachella was like a kid who has no idea of the rules. I just wanted to go have a jam session with my friends. I didn't get that we couldn't just jump on one another's stages while they were performing!

- Thundercat

Kid, Idea, Session, Stages

I feel like I try to write from an honest of a place as I can - without scaring people off too much, I guess.

- Thundercat

Too Much, Feel, Like, Scaring

I always wanted to be involved with music that would stand the test of time, being on one of those definitive things that you have to have listened to at some point.

- Thundercat

Test, Some, Always, Definitive

Prayer is not passive. It takes a big man to pray - and to admit that he prays.

- Thundercat

Prayer, Admit, Big, Passive

I remember playing Billy Cobham's 'Total Eclipse' for Snoop Dogg. I also played him Frank Zappa, 'Apostrophe.' And I played him 'Saint Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast.'

- Thundercat

I Remember, Frank, Saint, None

I remember, with Kendrick on 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' I was in tears. I literally was because it had pulled me and pushed me and stretched me and crushed me and expanded me. It was like I didn't know which way was up. By the end of it, I felt like I was floating in the ocean like a carcass.

- Thundercat

Tears, I Remember, Had, Floating

My high school teacher, Reggie Andrews, was a huge factor in my learning my instrument. He didn't play bass, but it was the part where he gave me a knowledgeable perspective of what it was that I was doing.

- Thundercat

Play, Doing, Part, Factor

A lot of joking stems from a very dark place a bit.

- Thundercat

Very, Lot, Stems, Joking

I'll look at superheroes and comics and stuff and wonder, 'Why wouldn't you dress like that if you could?' With fashion, I look at it as a way to express that. I don't really pull any punches on it; otherwise, you get caught up in this nexus of dressing like everyone else.

- Thundercat

Dress, Caught, Punches, Superheroes

My family is all musicians - my dad plays drums, my mom plays flute, my older brother plays drums, my little brother plays drums and piano. For some reason, I didn't get the memo, so I just play bass.

- Thundercat

Play, Little Brother, Some, Flute

My parents were very encouraging in having us get into the arts, whereas I have a lot of friends that didn't have that.

- Thundercat

Very, Encouraging, Having, Whereas

I grew up in Compton: 116th and Wilmington.

- Thundercat

Up, Grew, Wilmington

As a working musician, your first instinct is to try and do your job. It wasn't always my aspiration to sing; I just wanted to be a great working musician. But then Flying Lotus suggested I try, and nothing has ever been the same since.

- Thundercat

Instinct, Been, Lotus, Aspiration

I'm a guy where my perfect pitch has been altered by the fact that I usually tune up to what's going on. When I was a kid, it was horrible! If two notes were playing right next to each other, and they were dissonant, it would drive me nuts. If it was something that sounded like it was in between notes, it'd make me cringe.

- Thundercat

Next, Other, Been, Cringe

When I'm at home creating music, I usually wind up laughing. It's always, like, funny - like, what the hell did I just write?

- Thundercat

Hell, Always, Like, Wind

It's a blessing and a curse at the same time, the idea of genre.

- Thundercat

Same, Idea, Same Time, Blessing

My theory is if Tony Williams can sing, and if Kanye West can sing, so can I! So I try!

- Thundercat

Tony, Kanye, Williams, None

I do enjoy a bit of the fantasy world that anime provides, but at the same time, I need the reality in it. I'm very much a stickler about the actual animation. I'm not into the cutesy, stereotypical animation with big eyes and a small chin. That annoys the hell out of me.

- Thundercat

Small, Big, Very, Animation

I appreciate my parents for everything they instilled in me and my brothers.

- Thundercat

Me, Appreciate, Brothers, Instilled

The truth is hip hop has always complemented jazz and vice versa, but there's always been this communication barrier that exists based on music to lyrics.

- Thundercat

Always, Vice, Based, Lyrics

I hate studios; I'll be honest with you. People get weird in the studio. I've had some great and terrible times with people. People's personalities come out in the worst way.

- Thundercat

Some, Studio, Studios, Personalities

I actually went to an arts middle school with Shia LaBeouf, but even there, I was one of the weirder kids.

- Thundercat

Middle, Weirder, Actually, Middle School

I don't play with toys anymore. I mean, I do play with toys, but not like when I was a kid. I don't crash cars into each other, but now I collect certain toys.

- Thundercat

Play, Toys, Other, Collect

I've never been called the black sheep. Everybody in my family had something weird about them, like, 'What's wrong with you?!' We all were black sheep.

- Thundercat

Like, Been, Everybody, Sheep

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