Stephen Lee Bruner, better known by his stage name Thundercat, is an American bass guitarist, singer, producer, and songwriter from Los Angeles.
Thundercat Parents: Who Are Thundercat Parents?
Bruner was born into a family of musicians, including his father Ronald Bruner Sr., a drummer, and his mother Pam a flutist and percussionist. They raised him in Compton and other parts of Los Angeles.
His father played drums for The Temptations, The Supremes, and Gladys Knight amongst others. After Bruner Sr. sobered from dealing with cocaine, the children would watch him play gigs at the Crenshaw Christian Center.[6] Bruner attended Locke High School, playing in the school’s jazz band.
His teacher, Reggie Andrews, produced and co-wrote Let It Whip and collaborated with Rick James. Andrews re-introduced Bruner to Kamasi Washington, who originally met as children through their fathers’ play in a gospel fusion band.