As he gets ready to headline the Vogue, Thundercat flies his space-invading freak flag for "Dragonball Durag"

    1 of 2 2 of 2

      We’ve all been there, politely minding our own business on the 14 Hastings bus, in line at No Frills, or chilling in Oppenheimer Park only to be interrupted by a random stranger who doesn’t understand the concept of personal space.

      Where do such lunatics come from? Why do they assume the rest of the world can’t wait to interact with them? How come they never look like Brad Pitt, or Michael B. Jordan, or Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul?

      Thundercat’s new “Dragonball Durag” video provides something of a window into such burning questions.

      The former Suicidal Tendencies bass player and sometimes Kendrick Lamar collaborator born Stephen Lee Bruner starts out his day like the rest of us: applying lip gloss with purple-nail-polished fingers, and watering the lawn while wearing leopard-print cat’s-ear headphones and an ensemble that Spinal Tap’s Ian Faith might describe as an “Australian’s nightmare.”

      And then, after happening upon a Japanese-anime Dragonball-issue durag in a pile of alleyway garbage, Thundercat decides to really let his freak flag fly.

      Before you can say “Avoid all eye contact” he’s running doggie-style on all fours in the park and then moonwalking up to a woman who’s trying to have a cellphone conversation while minding her own business at the foot of a tree.

      And popping and locking in front of the house of a woman who's trying to have a texting conversation on her cellphone while smoking around her plush-toy stufies in bed.

      And popping out of a dumpster before attempting to engage three Valley girls who clearly haven’t got the Surgeon General’s memo that, while they might taste great, Winstons, Camels, and Lucky Strikes aren't good for you.

      Watch below while Thundercat enlists a supporting cast that includes comedian Quinta Brunson, singer Kali Uchis, and indie-pop darlings Haim. Then mark April 2 on your calendar for the official release of the inspirationally out-there musician and producer’s fourth full-length It Is What It Is.

      And, more immediately, head to the Vogue this Friday (February 28) to see Thundercat give a clinic in the art of hip-hop/R&B/soul-jazz genre-mashing. Don’t forget to think long and hard about the pros and cons of making eye contact, especially if he's sporting a Dragonball durag and looking like a guy who can't wait to freak you out, even though you're obviously trying to mind your own goddamn business.

      Comments