I’m DGainz, Chicago born and raised. I’m a director, producer, artist, and more! Been active for about 15 years now with a YouTube with over 400 million views and 600k+ subscribers and growing. I’ve worked with artists such as Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Tink, Sza, Kevin Gates and the list goes on.

Q: What can you tell readers about your video and song The Light? What is the story behind it?

A: I came up with the song after my mother called me “The Light”. She said I would bring a certain essence back to hip hop that she felt, it was lacking. My sister called me the same thing a couple of weeks later after a phone call of me telling her, “when I stepped outside the sunlight came out”, so I decide to make a song using the phrase. There’s a spiritual element tied to it.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

A: Definitely putting out my own music. I struggled so long to find the confidence to do so, so that’s my biggest accomplishment. Outside of that, being able to travel as much as I have been able to.

Q: How would you say you have evolved and grown as an artist? In what ways?

Understanding music theory more. Just being confident in the music I’m creating. Perfecting my mixes and visuals. All around taking myself more seriously.

Q: If you could meet your younger self, what is something you would tell them?

A: Treat yourself better. Speak up more and be patient.

Are you an artist?

Would you like to be featured?

Click here.

Q: How do you feel knowing that SZA follows you? Do you remember when you saw that notification?

A: Well I met her when I was in Cali. We basically had the same manager at the time and lived in the same complex. I don’t know her too well tho. It was brief but a huge learning experience. I got to go on the road with her a bit and Coachella. Seen the behind the scenes of her BET performance. It was dope.

Q: What do you like most about making videos?

A: I love making the world look the way I want it to. It’s sorta liking painting but using real images. I love capturing the energy and bringing the visuals to life (especially when the song is great). I’m getting into CGI and digital fx now so I’m excited to see what I can do next.

Q: What is your creative process when coming up with the ideas for these videos?

A: Sometimes I go running and listen to the music over and over again until ideas hit me. A lot of the stuff I do is run and gun tho, we think of stuff on the fly. Real organic.

Q: How do you manage to make your career more fun?

A: Working with people that share the same goals and energy as I do. Or working alone. It could get stressful when you’re dealing with multiple personalities so nowadays I limit the amount of people I involve myself with. That makes it way more fun. And traveling of course.

Q: If you could work with anybody in the industry who would it be and why?

A: I'd work with Kanye. I think we could be a dope visual together and music. He inspired some of the work I’ve done so it makes sense. Other than that I’m open to working with anyone on the same frequency. I really like working alone so I don’t think about that too much honestly lol

Q: What do you want to accomplish in your lifetime?

A: I’ve accomplished most of what I’ve wanted to do. Now I just wanna set up generational wealth for my family. Leave a great legacy behind. Oh and travel a lot more. I haven’t really been overseas so that’s on my bucket list.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay

up to date with our latest post.

Chicago artist DGainz

S. Touze - “Two Lives”

Philip Johnson producer, actor, and more.