Thundercat: ‘Writing with Mac Miller was a glorious day’

Some artists do their best work alone. Others thrive on collaboration. Grammy-winning bassist, producer and singer-songwriter Thundercat — also known as Stephen Bruner — has always lived in both worlds. But coming from a musical lineage where music feels more like a conversation between artists, collaboration has become central to his creative life. His latest album, Distracted, features collaborations with Willow, A$AP Rocky, Tame Impala and, most importantly, his late friend Mac Miller. Thundercat joins Q guest host Ali Hassan to talk about a song he and Mac recorded together before Mac’s death in 2018, the memories attached to it, and why he felt the time was finally right to share it with the world.