It Is What It Is (Thundercat album)

It Is What It Is
Studio album by
Thundercat
ReleasedApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Genre
Length37:38
LabelBrainfeeder
Producer
Thundercat chronology
Drunk
(2017) 		It Is What It Is
(2020)
Singles from It Is What It Is
  1. "King of the Hill"
    Released: October 30, 2018[1][2]
  2. "Black Qualls"
    Released: January 15, 2020[3]
  3. "Dragonball Durag"
    Released: February 17, 2020[4]
  4. "Fair Chance"
    Released: March 17, 2020[5]
  5. "Innerstellar Love"
    Released: April 2, 2020[6][7]

It Is What It Is is the fourth studio album by American musician Thundercat, released through Brainfeeder on April 3, 2020.[8] It was preceded by five singles: "King of the Hill," which was released as a single from the label's compilation album Brainfeeder X in 2018, and "Black Qualls," "Dragonball Durag," "Fair Chance," and "Innerstellar Love," the latter four being released in 2020. The track "Unrequited Love" had previously been used in an episode of the anime Carole & Tuesday in 2019. The album was executive produced by Thundercat and Flying Lotus,[9] and features guest appearances from Louis Cole, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, Childish Gambino, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, BadBadNotGood, and Zack Fox.[10]

It Is What It Is received critical acclaim, with critics praising Thundercat's typical sense of humor in his lyrics and bass playing, as well as Thundercat's way of expressing emotions - in particular, his grief over the loss of long-time close friend and collaborator Mac Miller, which feeds into many of the musical and lyrical elements of the album.[11][12][13] The title track of the album contains a vocal sample from the late Miller; Thundercat also dedicated the album in his memory.[14]

The album won Best Progressive R&B Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, beating out fellow nominees Jhené Aiko, Chloe x Halle, Free Nationals, and Robert Glasper.[15]

  1. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (March 10, 2020). "Watch Thundercat Pay Tribute to Mac Miller With "Black Qualls" on 'Kimmel'". Complex. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  2. ^ Daramola, Israel (October 30, 2018). "Thundercat – "King of the Hill" ft. Flying Lotus & BADBADNOTGOOD". Spin. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  3. ^ Schatz, Lake (January 15, 2020). "Thundercat announces new album It Is What It Is, shares "Black Qualls" featuring Steve Lacy and Steve Arrington: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  4. ^ Bacior, Robin (February 17, 2020). "Thundercat Shares New Single "Dragonball Durag": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  5. ^ Alston, Trey (March 17, 2020). "Thundercat's Stirring New 'Fair Chance' Pays Tribute To Mac Miller". MTV. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Leas, Ryan (April 2, 2020). "Thundercat – "Interstellar Love"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  7. ^ Jarrod II, Johnson (April 2, 2020). "Thundercat Shares "Innerstellar Love" From Forthcoming LP It Is What It Is". Paste. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "It Is What It Is by Thundercat on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  9. ^ Sawyer, Jonathan (March 31, 2020). "Everything We Know About Thundercat's New Album 'It Is What It Is'". Highsnobiety. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  10. ^ Price, Joe (April 3, 2020). "Thundercat Drops New Album 'It Is What It Is' f/ Childish Gambino, Steve Lacy, and Lil B". Complex. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference allmusic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference exclaim-review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference independent-review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Suskind, Alex (April 2, 2020). "Thundercat comes up for air". EW. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  15. ^ "63rd Annual Grammy Awards". Grammy Awards. Retrieved March 15, 2021.