Grand Mixer DXT

Derek Showard,[1] better known by the stage name GrandMixer DXT, is an American musician, one of the earliest to use turntables as a musical instrument in the 1980s.

Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT in Harlem, New York 1998
Background information
Birth nameDerek Showard
Also known asGrandMixer D.ST
OriginNew York City, New York, United States
GenresHip hop, electro, jazz, funk, rock
Occupation(s)Musician DJ, producer
InstrumentsTurntables, drums, keyboards, vocals, samples
Associated actsInfinity Squad aka iSquad, Herbie Hancock & The Rocket Band, Material, Praxis

Early in his career, he was known as Grand Mixer D.ST, a reference to Delancey Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City.[2] He was featured in the influential hip hop film Wild Style.

Widely recognized as a pioneer, Grand Mixer DXT is credited as being the first turntablist. He was the first person to establish the turntable as a fully performable and improvisational musical instrument (Alberts 2002). Especially important is his technique of altering the pitch of the note or sound on the record.

He is also credited with helping to popularize DJing through his scratching on Herbie Hancock's single "Rockit", from the Bill Laswell and Material produced album Future Shock.[3][2] He is featured in the 2001 documentary, Scratch.[4]

Discography

With Ginger Baker

With Herbie Hancock

With Jah Wobble

  • Heaven and Earth (Island Records, 1995)

With King T

With Bill Laswell

With Praxis

With Sly and Robbie

References
  1. "Grandmixer D.ST". Oldschoolhiphop.com. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 223/4. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  3. "Turntablism to be Taught at Berklee College of Music". Synthtopia.com. March 1, 2004. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  4. Hollis, Kim (March 1, 2002). "Scratch Movie Preview, Starring Afrika Bambaataa and Grand Mixer DXT, Directed by Doug Pray". Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
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