GrandMixer DXT, uniquely dubbed the world’s first “Turntablist,” will be presented with the Hip-Hop Innovator Award at the TEC Experience on Thursday, April 13, at The 2023 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. The award recognizes an artist whose work has advanced the art form of hip-hop and honors GrandMixer DXT’s contribution in innovating the turntable as a musical instrument, the impact of which can be heard in every musical genre.
TEC Committee members Tony Baraz and OP! Miller say, “DXT is at the foundation of turntable performance and innovation. His early works laid the foundation for the art form and collaboration. They were influential in forwarding DJ culture and technology, influencing others who came after him, such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Q-bert, Mixmaster Mike, and countless others chronicled in the documentary Scratch.”
Of the award, GrandMixer shares, [I am] “honored to be recognized for this contribution to the arts as the latest model of the ancestors that came before [me].”
DXT’s turntable mastery became a game changer in the ’80s when he introduced the musical versatility of the turntable as a musical instrument, causing his mentor Herbie Hancock to coin the term “Turntablist” when referring to GrandMixer DXT. He has appeared on several recordings with Hancock, including “Rockit,” the song that earned Hancock a Grammy.
He reunited with Hancock for a performance at the 100th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. A musical virtuoso and the original DJ at The Roxy in NYC, he has also enjoyed the role of arranger, keyboardist, vocalist, and more on a number of urban and pop releases. He also innovated a technique called Forensic Editing which he used to restore Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall. He is currently working on several additional Thelonious Monk projects.
In recent years, GrandMixer DXT was inducted into the Guitar Center Rock Walk of Fame (2014) and contributed to the music for HBO’s Grammy Award-winning four-part documentary, “The Defiant Ones.”
The award will be presented at the TEC Experience, held on The NAMM Show Campus, on April 13. Previously announced, this year’s event will also present the Impact Music & Culture award to rap legend Chuck D, an award conceived by musician, producer, and songwriter Brian Hardgroove as an opportunity to recognize individuals who move culture through the power of music.
The NAMM TEC Experience is a communal reception that gathers the crossroads of the industry to applaud the achievements of the researchers and developers, product designers, marketers, and innovators behind the innovations in pro audio. View the product finalists here. Admission to the TEC Experience is open to all NAMM Show attendees.
Additional notable Hip Hop 50 events planned during the 2023 NAMM Show include a Friday, April 14 session from 5-6 p.m.: “Chuck D on Hip Hop at 50, Hosted by Brian Hardgroove,” presented by Black to the Future and showcasing a historical look at the American music and cultural phenomenon; and on Saturday, April 15 from 3-5 p.m., the Yamaha Grand Plaza stage will come alive with the MIDI@40 celebration showcasing a performance by Resonant Alien, the new band featuring Brian Hardgroove and DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy.
The performance will recognize the impact that hip-hop and MIDI — as an underlying, enabling technology — have had in breaking down barriers, as MIDI drum machines, sequencers, synths, and turntables are at the heart of many of the iconic records that made hip-hop the cultural phenomenon that it is today.
The TEC Experience joins the return of much-loved industry events, including the Parnelli Awards and the She Rocks Awards, as well as other event gatherings and networking opportunities, including the Top 100 Dealer, Pro Audio Pool Party, Women of NAMM and NAMM Young Professionals receptions, and more. View the schedule here: https://www.nammshow.org/event/the-2023-namm-show
In addition to the events and receptions, attendees of The 2023 NAMM Show will feature a robust show floor with exhibiting brands, including Adam Hall; ADJ; Allen & Heath; American Music & Sound; Apogee; Avid; beyerdynamic; C.F. Martin & Co.; Casio; Conn-Selmer; d&b audiotechnik; Ernie Ball; ESP; Harman; IK Multimedia; Ibanez; Kala; Kawai; KMC Music; Konig and Meyer; Line 6; Pioneer; Shure; Tama; Ultimate Ears; and Yamaha, among many others.
Registration for The 2023 NAMM Show is now open at: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend
