Behind the Beat: Adam Pena Keeps Union City Hip-Hop in the Mix

The local hip-hop scene is rumbling with young energy.

In the last year, artists such as KNX, Jay Clarks and Rula have been making headway in the Bay Area, releasing mixtapes and opening up for nationally recognized artists at Oakland and San Francisco venues.

But there’s a lot more to the music than what you hear in the rhymes or see onstage.

Among the key players in the local scene is a fresh-faced 17-year-old who isn’t often seen in the spotlight.

Meet Adam Pena.  

The Class of 2011 l grad works as a mixing engineer at Studio92 in Hayward where he plays an integral role in the recording process, ensuring that every song he records is flawless.

He’s quickly become the go-to studio guy for many up and coming artists, having had his hand in a number of local projects, including rapper ’s Nothing Less Than Perfect and ’ Second Class Flight mixtapes.

Patch asked the studio whiz a few questions about his work and why his keen ears are among the most trusted by local artists.

Q: How long have you been involved in music?

A: It all started in the summer after my sophomore year when I bought my first USB microphone. All of my friends were into rapping … so when I got my mic, we put it to use and I guess it just grew from there. I began to learn about the process of making music and began to love it.

Q: Who are some of your influences?

A: I have a lot but to name a couple: Phil Tan, the guy who mixed Rihanna's “SOS” and “Unfaithful,” is definitely one. [He’s a] great guy and great mixer. Also, Drake’s engineer/producer, 40.

Q: What are some notable projects/tracks you've been involved with? You've worked with a lot of young cats, but also Bay Area heavyweights like The Jacka and Erk Tha Jerk.

A: I came into contact with The Jacka through Studio92. He came by one day and recorded a verse and I ended up mixing the song. Erk I have never been in the studio with, but I mixed a song he did with another artist I work with named Rula. I also met Polyester through Rula; he came by the studio and recorded some songs. Real cool guy. I've mixed a few songs for him off Rula's latest project, Nothing Less Than Perfect.

Q: Everyone's been shouting you out on Twitter as one of the best engineers in the area. You've also had your hands in just about every hip-hop project coming out of Union City. What do you think it is that you do that sets you apart from others?

A: I put a lot of time and thought into each mix. Mixing is an art, so I treat each song as if it were my piece of art.

Q: Why's it important to have a good engineer in the studio?

A: A mix engineer adds so much to a song. It is up to us to create a mix that adds to or creates the entire feel of a song.

Q: There's a lot of talent here, but Union City's often overshadowed by Oakland and San Francisco. What's it going to take for the local bubble to pop?

A: I think with the shift in sound that is happening with Bay Area music right now, there is no better time for the talent in this city to be heard.

Q: What's next for you?

A: I have a few projects in the works. My most recent project I mixed is SaafirJ’s mixtape, HomeComing. I am currently working on GenuineZo’s debut mixtape, so be on the lookout for that. And, of course, working with Jay Clarks on his next project, Remember Me.

Follow Adam Pena on Twitter at @AdPen.