This article is missing information about when, and why did he change from D.ST to DXT. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (June 2015)
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Derek Showard,[1] 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
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Background information | |
Birth name | Derek Showard |
Also known as | GrandMixer D.ST |
Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
Genres |
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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 SideofManhattan, 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.[citation needed] He was the first person to establish the turntable as a fully performable and improvisational musical instrument (Alberts 2002).[full citation needed] 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 scratchingonHerbie 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]
With Ginger Baker
With Herbie Hancock
With Jah Wobble
With King T
With Bill Laswell
With Praxis
With Sly and Robbie
D.ST: The Home Of Hip Hop (Celluloid, 1985)