Vashtie Kola has long been coined with the nickname “Downtown’s Sweetheart,” so it is only suitable that the director, designer and all around businesswoman would be in attendance at Paper Magazine’s 7th Annual Nightlife Awards, sponsored by Hennessey.
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The awards show was a celebration of New York City’s unique trademark: nightlife. Hosted by Wendy Williams and attended by Estelle, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beats, Amanda Lepore and an impressive slew of eccentric guests, the event was one for the books.
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GlobalGrind caught up with Vashtie at Hiro Ballroom during the show last night to talk about how it feels to be a G in the NYC party scene, her recent trip to South Africa and sneaking into clubs as a teenager.
GALLERY: Scenes & Celebs @ 7th Annual Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards!
GlobalGrind: What award are you presenting tonight?
Vashtie Kola: I am presenting Best New Club.
What is the best new club for you in New York, personally?
I don’t frequent a lot of the new ones, but I have been hearing a lot of reviews about Westway. I like to stick to my classics, the ones I know, I have really good service and fun at, which is Santos Party House. But I am hearing a lot of good things about Westway and Westway is on the awards list.
You just came back form Africa. Where did you travel to?
I went to Johannesburg, South Africa.
What was that like?
It was weird, but then it felt normal and then it felt like home, but then it was South Africa. There were parts of South Africa that felt like it could have been Denver because it was mountainous. And then parts felt like Downtown L.A. And then there were definitely parts that felt like South Africa. There were these weird highs and lows and it was beautiful. The people were amazing and everyone I talked to had an interesting story. It was also strange because there were very wealthy people and very poor people. You could be out at a very posh space and you could look out and see the poor towns. So that was unsettling and strange, but the people were amazing.
Were you there for business or pleasure?
Business.
How did you get involved in NYC nightlife? You obviously love music since you have directed music videos. Can you talk about that a little bit?
Growing up, my brother and sister were 7 and 8 years older than me and just like any other little kid, you always think that your brother and sisters are really cool and you want to be like them. My brother in particular, he is a gay dude who at the time (we were from Albany), he would travel to go to the Limelight and hang out with the club kids. Even in Albany, that club kid culture worked its way up and hip-hop parties worked its way up.
So being involved in that, being 14, sneaking into clubs was always the thing. It wasn’t about drinking. I didn’t start drinking until a couple of years ago and I am not even much of a drinker, but it was all about the music and the dancing and the parties. I think the whole culture just really infected me at a young age.
I would go out a lot and, coming here, I just accidentally fell into it. It’s weird, because I don’t enjoy parties for the sake of partying. If it is a good DJ and the party will be great, then that is awesome! But, if it is just for any old thing, it is never really that fun.
I think I have fallen into it because of my musical background and my musical taste and I feel like it is a part of NYC’s foundation, which is somewhat still in existence. But a little bit fleeting with this new world we are in. I feel honored to be a part of it in NYC. Paper was the magazine that we grew up reading in another city and I never dreamt that I would end up being a part of it.
You are occupying a space that is usually reserved for the cool guys. How does it feel knowing that you’re a reference for young girls now?
It makes me feel good, but it is scary because when you think about yourself, you don’t think about yourself as someone who is paving a way. You have to be very careful and make sure what you’re doing and what you are saying is proper. Not that I am forcing anything, but you know that you’re always doing the right thing because you’re not just a person, people are looking up to you and watching you. But then I also feel like a G! It is cool to be seen that way.
Can you tell us about what we can expect from you in the coming months?
I have been directing, but directing for artists that I really want to work with now that I have more of a choice in my career. I am working with some really amazing artists! I just directed a video for Big K.R.I.T that will be coming out soon, I have also been … I won’t call it DJing, because I don’t feel that I am proper enough to say that I am a DJ. I am doing a lot of events and that is interesting for me because, even though I am not someone who is a really experienced DJ, a lot of people are asking me to come on board, even if it is just playing music that I like, it is just great. I am also working on my brand and re-launching it soon and working on this Polaroid book that I have been working on for a minute.
