Grand Mixer DXT
Derek Showard, better known by the stage name GrandMixer DXT, is an American musician, and the first DJ to use the turntable as a musical instrument.
Grand Mixer DXT | |
|---|---|
Grand Mixer DXT in Harlem, New York 1998 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Derek Showard |
| Also known as | GrandMixer D.ST |
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician DJ, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Turntables, drums, keyboards, vocals, samples |
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. 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. He is featured in the 2001 documentary, Scratch.