Tyrone Brunson was an American musician and R&B artist known primarily for his contribution to the 1980s funk movement. Brunson's style intertwined traditional funk with the emerging electronic music scene, resulting in his signature sound best exemplified by his hit single "The Smurf." His ability to integrate the Roland TR-808 drum machine into his compositions significantly influenced the evolution of electro-funk and hip-hop genres. Despite a relatively brief peak, Brunson’s innovative approach left a lasting impact on the landscape of electronic music.