and were not only musical collaborators, but great friends. Since Mac’s passing in September 2018, Thundercat has made clear many times how important the 26-year-old recording artist was to him. Thundercat (real name Stephen Bruner) has , which was recorded shortly before he died. In a recent interview, the revered bassist also . 

On Monday’s episode  Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Mar. 9), Thundercat paid tribute to his departed friend in a spirited way. While performing the first single f his forthcoming album, “Black Qualls”, he transitioned to playing an instrumental interlude Mac’s “What’s The Use?”. Thundercat played bass on “What’s The Use?”, which appears on Mac’s 2018 album, Swimming. Towards the tail-end his Kimmel performance, Thundercat and Steve Lacy ( the Internet) started jamming the easily-identifiable bassline Mac’s track. At the 3:17-mark, the two can be seen getting in to the funk in their matching gem-covered sweaters. Thundercat was also accompanied on stage by Steve Arrington (vocals) and (keys). 

“” serves as the second single f Thundercat’s next project, It Is What It Is, which will be released on April 3 Brainfeeder.