Look out for Va$htie

She's an Upstate New York girl, Albany to be exact, but the 23-year-old School of the Visual Arts alumna is as NYC as a MetroCard. And as downtown as Canal Street. Born Vashtie Kola, the upstart director's love of film began when her parents made her older brother and sister drag her along with them to the movies. After graduation, her passion eventually landed her a gig in the video and creative department of Def Jam. But her real big break came when she recently funded and directed a clip for the Kanye West/ Lupe Fiasco/ Pharrell Williams mixtape track "Us Placers." The Web video features mini-me versions of the three rap titans, replacing the original stars à la Biggie's "Sky Is the Limit." Next up for Vash is more script-writing and continuing her and her partner's successful 1992-theme parties — where the music is all about the last decade — as well as starting a line of accessories and clothing called Violet. "It's ultra-hard," she said of juggling her many endeavors. "But I'm sure it's satisfying in the end."

--Courtesy MTV