DGainz's 25 Favorite Videos

Chicago's rap video visionary shares the 25 clips that inspired him to become a director.

Not Available Lead
Image via Complex Original
Not Available Lead

Chicago's rap video visionary shares the 25 clips that inspired him to become a director.

This feature is a part of Complex's "Finally Rich" Week.

DGainz is the 24-year-old video director responsible for Chief Keef's most iconic visuals, including the videos for "I Don't Like" and "Love Sosa." His gritty, verite style has made him the go-to director for Chicago rappers like King Louie, Lil Durk, Sasha Go Hard, Chris Mille, Chinchilla Meek, and Spenzo.

Having grown up in the now-demolished Robert Taylor homes, DGainz knew the harder side of the Windy City firsthand. He initially planned to be a producer, but when he had trouble with his hearing he put down his beat making gear and picked up a video camera.

Since he already broke down his 25 essential videos (a mere fraction of his prolific output), for "Finally Rich" week, we asked him about the videos that inspired him to become a director in the first place.

Though he's a completely untrained cinematographer—at least in the traditional sense—that didn't keep him from studying the masters. So pay close attention as this self-taught video visionary speaks about the directors who shaped the way he approaches his art—from concepts to technical details. These are DGainz's favorite videos.

Ludacris "Southern Hospitality" (2000)

Not Available Interstitial

St. Lunatics "Midwest Swing" (2001)

Not Available Interstitial

Sum 41 "Fat Lip" (2002)

Not Available Interstitial

Busta Rhymes f/ P. Diddy and Pharrell "Pass the Courvoisier" (2002)

Not Available Interstitial

Clipse "Grindin" (2002)

Not Available Interstitial

Youngbloodz "Damn" (2003)

Not Available Interstitial

Missy Elliott "Pass That Dutch" (2003)

Not Available Interstitial

Smitty "Diamonds on my Neck" (2005)

Not Available Interstitial

50 Cent "Window Shopper" (2005)

Not Available Interstitial

Jay-Z "Lost One" (2006)

Not Available Interstitial

Rick Ross "Hustlin" (2006)

Not Available Interstitial

Justin Timberlake f/ T.I. "My Love" (2006)

Not Available Interstitial

Rich Boy "Throw Some D's" (2006)

Not Available Interstitial

T.I. "What You Know" (2006)

Not Available Interstitial

Hurricane Chris "A Bay Bay" (2007)

Not Available Interstitial

Young Buck "Get Buck" (2007)

Not Available Interstitial

Jay-Z "Blue Magic" (2007)

Not Available Interstitial

Usher "Love In This Club" (2008)

Not Available Interstitial

Eminem "3 a.m." (2009)

Not Available Interstitial

Jamie Foxx f/ T-Pain "Blame It" (2009)

Not Available Interstitial

Young Dro "I Don't Know Y'all" (2009)

Not Available Interstitial

Page f/ Drake "Still Fly" (2009)

Not Available Interstitial

Rick Ross f/ Styles P "BMF" (2010)

Not Available Interstitial

M.I.A. "Bad Girls" (2012)

Not Available Interstitial

The Game "How We Do" (2004)

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Music