After-party for TOMS Shoes at Active sponsored by Red Bull, RVCA, and Crew West, with live painting by 7th Letter and music and visuals provided by MATTER and Phi Phenomenon from INSTRUMENTAL.

that INSTRUMENTAL signed Garth Trinidad?

For those that know, the name says it all in the world of music and progressive worldwide urban culture. For those that don’t know – listen up.

The man has been so influential in the last decade with his award-winning KCRW (89.9) broadcast music show ‘Chocolate City’, that in 2003 The Grammys created a category based on the format of his music program and invited him on as a voting member for the ‘Best Urban Alternative Performance’ category. Even the powers that be (despite their perpetual tardiness in the recognition of true urban pioneering) had to recognize. But, we already knew Garth was the man, didn’t we?

As a veteran DJ on one of the only stations in the country that breaks new artists, Garth has helped catapult such acts as Jill Scott, Van Hunt and Gnarls Barkley. In addition, The Authority On Urban Alternative Culture (newly created title by yours truly) has musically consulted for top companies such as HBO, Nike, Infiniti, and United Airlines, produced for labels such as Warner Bros. and BBE, and orchestrated countless events for charities and companies such as Toyota and Ford.

But for all his accolades and successes The Authority On Urban Alternative Culture is a self-admitted “low-key dude.” If it were up to him (and it isn’t, just ask his loving wife and three kids) he would be completely content with just spinning five days a week at KCRW, having a couple of residencies at clubs, and blogging to further educate the masses with maybe a few panel appearances thrown in for good measure; all the while eschewing shameless (or any) self-promotion.

At 6’2” with a commanding presence, Garth could be an imposing figure – even boorish if he so chose – but his intellect and compassion conveys an old soul. He’s a husband, father, cultural revolutionary, and one hell of a DJ who embraces the community that he holds dear with the same passion that he spins his music.

Del signs with Def Jux for his new album 11th Hour. His first So. Cal show as a member of the Def Jux team.