Joe Hahn - Career Biography

Career Biography

Hahn began deejaying in high school, and he studied illustration at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. In college, he met Mike Shinoda, and joined his band Xero, which later became known as Linkin Park.

Hahn and Shinoda guested in The X-Ecutioners' hit single "It's Going Down". Hahn also guested in Shinoda's Fort Minor album The Rising Tied.

Hahn was called Chairman Hahn on the back cover of Linkin Park's Remix album Reanimation next to the songs "With You" and "Cure For The Itch". Hahn has directed several of Linkin Park's music videos, such as those for "Numb", "From the Inside", "What I've Done", "Somewhere I Belong", "Pts.OF.Athrty", "New Divide", "Bleed it Out" and "Iridescent". He has also directed videos for Story of the Year, Xzibit, and Alkaline Trio. In a 2003 interview, he told MTV that film-making was his true passion, and that "doing the music more of an extra thing".

Outside of his work in music, Hahn provided special effects work on The X-Files and the miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune. He also directed a short film called The Seed, and acquired the rights to produce a film adaption of China Miéville's novel King Rat.

Hahn directed the trailer for the video game Medal of Honor, featuring Linkin Park's single "The Catalyst". Hahn also directed the music video for "The Catalyst", which premiered on August 26, 2010, as well as the music video for Linkin Park's "Waiting for the End" and "Burning in the Skies". On April 13, 2011, Mike Shinoda confirmed on his blog that the music video for "Iridescent" would be directed by Hahn.

Hahn became the first Korean American to receive a Grammy when the band won the 2002 award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

In November 2011 Hahn designed a helmet of Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi.

Hahn's most recent work is directing the music video to Linkin Park's single, "Burn It Down".

As of April 2012, Hahn is directing a film, "Mall" starring and exec produced by Vincent D'Onofrio.