FSD: What was the video that put you over the edge as one of the leading directors in the city?
Gates: It’s kind of hard to say, because I’m a veteran in the game, man. I’m a lot older than a lot of the guys that are out now. L.E.P. gave me a Meek Mill video—that was dope! I’ve done three Waka Flocka videos. I don’t want anybody getting mad at me for leaving them out. [Laughs.]
FSD: What was the song with Meek Mill song you directed?
Gates: It was L.E.P.’s song featuring Meek Mill, “Rush Hour.”
FSD: With the resurgence of the Chicago music scene, there has been an abundance of rappers coming out of the woodwork and surprisingly aspiring directors as well. With the directing field being so saturated now, do you feel like this lowers the worth for popular directors like yourself?
Gates: Nah, not at all! People know what they are getting when they come to us. I talk to people on the phone all the time about videos. Some get mad at the prices I quote them, but you have to know what your worth is. I’ve been doing this for so long that I know what I can do and bring to the table. Plus, I spent a shit load of my money on my own equipment. I got a $20,000 camera, I can’t shoot you a $200 video [Laughs.].
FSD: A few months ago you directed Waka Flocka’s mini movie “Streets Most Wanted”. How did you link up with Waka?
Gates: Shit, my cousin Blind Folk Vision. He does the same thing I do. He was like, “I got this idea for Flocka,” and I told him I got his back 100%. We drove down to Atlanta, and were there for four days. Waka and the whole Brick Squad Monopoly showed us love. Shout out to Blind Folk.
FSD: With you having such a high-profile, how do you go into choosing what artists you work with?
Gates: I don’t really have a preference, bro. Some directors will be like “Nah this song is wack.” I feel like as a director, we get paid to do a service. Our service is to come up with creative ways to make an artist’s song hotter. It’s kind of like being a painter. If you get commissioned to make some art out of a twig and two rocks, you have to roll with it. You can’t complain that you need paint brushes or whatever. You have to make the best out of the twig and two rocks. It’s about being artistic.
FSD: How are you dealing with your fame?
Gates: I don’t look at is as fame like that. I’ve always been in the middle of the Chicago scene—even when it wasn’t popping. It’s not about us directors receiving fame. It’s our job to make the artists hot as possible. At the end of the day, I’m an entrepreneur. I started Open World Films, and we are like eight deep on the staff side. Shout out to my partner Raphah Anderson.
[Click Below For Next Page]
Nothing but hardwork……..24 hour grind Maaain #BballCrazy
Shout to my bro Will Gates he’s one of the greatest directors in the chi and one of the realest people i’ve been blessed to know. If people knew about the blood sweat and tears that come with this business and how much he put in, they would have to give him the ultimate respect. Salute!!!
WILL GATES THE TRUTH…U JUST SNAPPED ON THAT KING SAMSON “MIND GAMES”
Gates I see u boi….. and im not even from the Chi….
Dj Moet #Team BLACKHEART
THEY ON THE LAM RIGHT BY THE CHURCH & THE SCHOOL ALL DAY
L’S UP 63
great read of a great director.. Highly underrated