Legendary Bronx DJ Grandmixer DXT, the first DJ to be dubbed a "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, CA. The award recognizes artists whose work has advanced Hip-Hop as an artform, and NAMM recognizes DXT (formerly D.ST) and his innovation and turning the turntable into an instrument. "I am honored to be recognized for this contribution to the arts as the latest model of the ancestors that came before me", DXT said. TEC Committee member Tony Baraz said “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.”

As a member of Material, DXT produced several records on the Celluloid label where he released his own records such as "D.ST Cuts It Up," "Mega Mix II: Why Is It Fresh" and "Crazy Cuts." It was 1983's "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock that took DXT around the world, shot him to the top of the pop charts, and placed him on the Grammy stage.

After meeting Celluloid founder Jean Karakos at the Roxy, DXT was introduced to Bill Laswell of Material who introduced him to Herbie Hancock. DXT then became part of Herbie's Rockit Band and he co-produced and scratched on Herbie's Future Shock, Sound System, and Perfect Machine albums. In 2014, Grandmixer DXT, Grandmaster Flash, and Grandwizzard Theodore were inducted into Guitar Center's Rock Walk.