CHRIS LE (June 2009) | Interview By: Jose Ho-Guanipa

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Interview was conducted in June 2009 

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Dubcnn: We all know you as the hip-hop MySpace guy. Can you tell us how you got into designing MySpace pages for top name rappers and how that turned into you directing music videos for an artist like Glasses Malone?

Chris Le: I started designing CD covers and logos for local artists in my area. With the work I was putting out, it brought attention to many record labels and more established artists. This was around the time when MySpace wasn't even that big of a deal yet. My first mainstream artist I designed a MySpace for was Sean Kingston. After working on his visuals, the staff from The Black Wall Street camp contacted me about doing work for The Game. From there, I started getting jobs here and there from Warner Brothers Music to Def Jam all the way in NYC. Getting connected with the industry because of my talents in graphic designing allowed me to introduce my clients to my film work as well. That’s how I began to establish myself as a music video director.


Dubcnn: Was there a particular individual or group of people that put you on and really believed in your work in the beginning when you were first starting out?

Chris Le: Yes, I owe a lot of my successes to DJ Warrior, DJ Skee, The Black Wall Street Camp, The Game, Purple City, and all the record labels that worked with me and not to mention, my boy, Andrew Lim.


Dubcnn: When did you make the transition from graphic designer to music video director? In other words, what was the first video you shot?

Chris Le: In high school, I was working with a close friend who was starting out in the rap game. I had a cheap camera, a group of friends, the artist, and a school lunch cafeteria. In other words, I shot a small budget video with a school cafeteria scene, haha.


Dubcnn: Did you go to school or get any format training for any of that stuff (graphic design, film school)?

Chris Le: I have never gone to any school during my career, people just really believe in my talent. After a while, I decided to take on school to experience it and bring a degree home for my parents, which I promised them a long time ago. Besides, it doesn't hurt to learn more right?


Dubcnn: Was that always the plan for you to become a director or did it just happen?

Chris Le: I have always had the dream of becoming a director since I was in elementary school. Originally, I wanted to direct and animate CG movies like the ones Pixar makes. Hip Hop had a stronger affect over me, though, so I gravitated towards the music I loved and combined it with my skills.


Dubcnn: How were you able to create a name for yourself and make connections with so many big west coast artists being somewhat removed from the west coast hip-hop scene out in Utah?

Chris Le: I have learned to use the internet as my main networking tool. Especially social networks like Myspace. Also, I wouldn't say Utah is out of the loop since it’s located on the west side. Many artists come and perform here and many celebrities own property because of the Sundance Film festival. Utah has a fast growing hip-hop scene so people should respect its grind. We have many artists on the come up including my artist, Calico, who recently got signed to Purple City in NYC.


Dubcnn: What do you think about the future of hip-hop, the music industry and the shifting away from more traditional channels of media like print, radio, and television, to avenues like MySpace and other places on the internet? Where do you think all this is this headed?

Chris Le: I believe in the future. TV will not exist at all since we can watch our favorite programming anytime we want on the Internet. With HD quality videos streaming on the net now, people are turning away from their TV sets more and more everyday. The Internet will be our main media that will basically replace everything.


Dubcnn: Who are some of your favorite visual artists, both in the realm of graphic design and music videos?

Chris Le: Some of the greats I look up to are Fatoe (Designer), Chuck Anderson (Designer), Hype Williams (Director), Benny Boom (Director), Lil X (Director), Estevan Oriol (photographer/director) and Mr. Cartoon (illustrator/designer).


Dubcnn: Is there someone you’d like to model your career after?

Chris Le: I really don't want to model my career after anybody. I'm just following my own path and seeing what comes to me tomorrow.


Dubcnn: What are some upcoming projects you have on your plate?

Chris Le: Just finished a project for Colby O’Donis (Akon's artist) and Rick Ross's “Deeper than Rap” campaign. I'm currently working on projects for BabyGrande Records, Def Jam, and, of course, The Black Wall Street.


Dubcnn: Which West Coast hip-hop artists would you like to work with that you haven’t gotten a chance to?

Chris Le: I have worked with tons of west coast artists, especially from the L.A. area. But two artists I haven't gotten a chance to work with are Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. Dr. Dre projects are in the talks right now. Hopefully I'll play a part in the Detox project.


Dubcnn: Any closing comments or shout outs you’d like to make?

Chris Le: Big ups to the homie DJ Warrior, The Game (thanks for the West Coast love, I'm returning the shout, he shouted me out in the album credits on L.A.X. which is very major to me (plus I received a GOLD plaque for L.A.X.), DJ Skee, Glasses Malone, Jay Rock (Always rockin’ my T.D.E. logo I designed as a chain), Tommy Gunnz, Calico and Blocks, Dsepshun, J-Wang, and most of all, my boy Andrew Lim (Wuzi) from the east side.


Dubcnn: Thanks a lot for your time. Keep your eyes on the lookout for more of Chris Le’s work. With this much accomplished at only twenty, he’s only gonna get bigger and better.

Check out Glasses Malone Sixty Million Dollar Flow (Video)