Karena Evans

Karena Evans started her creative career like so many of us do – as an intern. Unlike many, though, she rocketed up the ladder at Director X’s production company Popp Rok, becoming a director in record time, and going on to direct two Drake videos at the age of 22.

She’s also become the first woman to receive The Lipsett Prize – one of Canada’s highest honours for music video direction. And that’s just her 2018 so far.

“God’s Plan” and “Nice for What” have been two of Drake’s most-discussed videos of recent times. The former shows the Toronto rapper doling out gifts and wads of cash to communities in need, putting a smile on everybody’s face. The latter is a glittering celebration of women breaking glass ceilings in the public eye, and features Tiffany Haddish, Rashida Jones, Jourdan Dunn, Issa Rae, and more.

Each visual marks Drake stepping into self-aware and socially conscious territory, while remaining his playful, meme-worthy self – and they’ve turned heads towards Evans herself. As Director X put it in an Instagram post, she’s that rare gem of “when work ethic is matched by talent.”

Aimee Cliff