Thundercat is a pseudonym of Stephen Bruner (b. Los Angeles, CA, USA), a virtuoso bassist, composer, producer and singer.  He débuted with No Curfew’s “18” (2001) and his latest album is “Apocalypse” (Jun 2013, Brainfeeder).  A member of legendary thrash punks Suicidal Tendencies (since 16 years of age), a protégé of Steven Ellison (aka Flying Lotus) - Bruner has collaborated with many, including jams with Snoop Dogg and Stanley Clarke.  “I do believe that hip-hop can be the new jazz, and I’m helping create that”, Bruner said in an interview to Bass Player, in 2008.  He is part of this new generation of jazz literate / hip-hop loving instrumentalists, who can play beyond traditional limits - a mutant jazz cat - and, that’s how ‘Thundercat’ (a monicker he chose), suits him well (even if it’s purely the result of an unhealthy cartoon addiction, dating back to childhood).  Sites: Wikipedia.