OMAR SANTANA

DJ • Producer • Editing King • Hardhop Pioneer

Born on October 25, 1967, in Queens, New York, Omar Santana is a legendary DJ and producer best known for his groundbreaking edits in the 1980s and his pioneering work in hardcore techno and breaks what he proudly calls hardhop.

Omar’s journey began in the early ’80s, inspired by John “Jellybean” Benitez’s iconic sets at The Funhouse in Manhattan. As part of the Dynamic Rockers crew, he immersed himself in New York’s underground culture, rocking jams, sound-battles, and pushing the boundaries of the city’s dance scene. This hustle soon connected him with influential figures like Arthur Baker and the Tommy Boy and Sleeping Bag Records families, leading to studio work with trailblazers such as Mantronix, Boogie Boys, T La Rock, and Stetsasonic.

By the mid-to-late ’80s, Omar had become one of the most sought-after remixers and editors in the industry. His cutting-edge work reshaped tracks for artists like Public Enemy, Janet Jackson, Simply Red, Quincy Jones, and even The Rolling Stones earning him the reputation as one of the true Editing Kings.

Not content to stop there, Omar launched his own imprint, H2OH Recordings, creating a powerhouse platform for hardcore sounds that gained worldwide respect. The label’s success later spawned a sister label, Tricked Out Recordings, pushing his hardhop and breakbeat vision even further. Together, these imprints cemented Omar’s status as a driving force in the evolution of hardcore and breaks in America.

To this day, Omar Santana continues to run H2OH Recordings and remains an inspiration to generations of DJs and producers who follow in his footsteps.
His tale from the hardside is far from over.