Richy Peña | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Richard Peña |
Also known as | Richy |
Born |
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
October 27, 1984
Genres | Reggaeton, Merengue |
Occupation(s) | Songwriter, Producer, Engineer |
Years active | (2000-Present Producer/Engineer/Songwriter) |
Associated acts | Don Omar, Nely El Arma Secreta, Chino y Nacho, Matt Hunter |
Website | twitter |
Richy Peña (born Richard Peña; October 27, 1984), is a music producer in the U.S.
Peña was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 2001, Peña formed his first group, a boy band called Alofoque for Latino teens in Boston, and a record label with the same name.
Peña left for New York with no job, friends or real plan. A young producer, Nely “El Arma Secreta” was working with the top talent in Reggaeton, including Daddy Yankee and Don Omar. Before long Peña was working on songs with Zion, Rihanna, and Don Omar. Don Omar asked Richy to be part of his team, as Nely had moved to Miami.
An early success was the song “Calm My Nerves” by Don Omar. Don Omar set up collaborations with artists including Tony Dize, Las Moscas and a group from Venezuela called Chino y Nacho. He produced two songs for Chino y Nacho at that time, including one of their early hits, “Dentro de Mi” featuring Don Omar. In 2008 he set up a studio in downtown Boston, within view of the Statehouse.
Peña began plans for the first Boston Music Conference (BMC) in 2008, and in September of that year, they held the BMC. It brought together aspiring talent, A&Rs from major labels and artists including Lapiz and Sensato del Patio.
Chino y Nacho came to Boston at the end of 2008, writing the hit song Niña Bonita. Peña helped to get Chino y Nacho signed to Universal; it went to the top of the charts.
In 2010 Richy won a Grammy for “Niña Bonita”, and signed a co-publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music. Peña also co-founded Rich Republic, a 360 music marketing company.