DGainz Tells All: The Stories Behind His Best Music Videos

The director that put Chicago's new rap scene on the map opens up about working with Chief Keef, Lil Durk, and many more.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Chicago's hip-hop scene gained national attention this year, but it wasn't just about the music. Since 2011, video director Duan Gaines has been showing the world a side of Chicago that was previously invisible.

The 24-year-old grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes housing projects, and has managed to build a career from the bottom up. After his basement flooded, a FEMA check helped pay for a video camera, and since then he's been shooting videos for the bulk of artists in Chicago's drill scene. His eye for talent and awareness of his audience helped drive his success. As a result, his videos have racked up millions of views, minting local stars before the media was even aware of them.

Although he's not classically trained, and it's easy to see DGainz's evolution as a videographer over the course of the past year. His style has become refined and distinctive. He's also produced a few of the scene's signature anthems ("Money Dance," "Go In"). With a tireless work ethic (his YouTube channel has 225 self-directed videos), he's inspired many others to shoot their own videos and helped create a space online for artists who previously were cut off from the music industry.

After the runaway success of one of his latest videos, Chief Keef's "Love Sosa," we spoke with DGainz about the 25 most significant videos he's ever shot.

RELATED: The 50 Greatest Chicago Rap Songs
RELATED: DJ Premier Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records
 

Lil Kenny "I B Silly" (2009)

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Lil Durk "I'm A Hitta" (2011)

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King Louie "Gumbo Mobsters" (2011)

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Shady "Go In" (2011)

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Chief Keef "Bang" (2011)

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King Louie and Boss Woo "Money Dance" (2011)

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Shady and King Louie "Go In (Remix)" (2011)

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Chinchilla Meek "Smoker's Delight" (2011)

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King Louie "Loud Pack" (2011)

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Vic Mone f/ Billion Ballout "Do What We Want To" (2011)

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Chief Keef "Aimed At You" (2011)

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Chris Mille "All Day" (2011)

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Choppa da Goon f/ Shady "Gettin Nat" (2011)

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Chief Keef f/ Lil Reese "I Don't Like" (2012)

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Lil Durk "L's Anthem" (2012)

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Spenzo "Do This All Night" (2012)

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Buck 20 Brick Boys "Gettin Off Dat" (2012)

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Chella H and Sasha Go Hard "Real Bitch" (2012)

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Tink "Fingers Up" (2012)

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Spenzo "Go Crazy" (2012)

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Sasha Go Hard "Tatted" (2012)

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M.I.C. (Mikey Dollaz) "All We Know is Drill" (2012)

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Spenzo "Converse" (2012)

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M.I.C. (Lil Chris) "Same Shit Different Day" (2012)

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Chief Keef "Love Sosa" (2012)

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