HOT GALLERY: Check Out These Retro Pics of VMA-Nominated MTV Stars!

Who Am I?

Neil Mockford/Getty Images

Rihanna: Best Collaboration

Rihanna is all over this year's VMA nominations, picking up nods for her work with Kanye West and Eminem. Before she collaborated with music's biggest names, young Rihanna (Robyn Fenty) performed a sweet rendition of Mariah Carey's “Hero.”

Who Am I?

Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Adele: Video of the Year

British phenomenon Adele has charmed American audiences with her soulful songwriting and powerful voice. "Rolling in the Deep," the first video from her album 21, nabbed a total of seven nominations! Check out young Adele (before she discovered false eyelashes!) performing "Painting Pictures" during a 2006 music festival in London.

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for ACE Awards

Kanye West: Best Hip-Hop Video

Handsome young “Yeezy” was a solid A and B student at Polaris High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois, back in 1995. Kanye went on to release six wildly popular hip-hop albums and is nominated for videos for “All of the Lights” and “Power.”

Who Am I?

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Lady Gaga: Best Female Video

Wait, Lady Gaga has a human face? With eyes and everything? Before she was donning outrageous fashion and hiding in eggs, Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) popped up in 2005 on the MTV show Boiling Points. Will Lady Gaga lose her temper with a terrible waiter?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, David McNew/Getty Images

Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park): Best Special Effects

Before the majorly popular Linkin Park was nominated for "Waiting for the End," guitarist/vocalist Mike Shinoda was quite the dapper senior at Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California, back in 1995.

Who Am I?

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Katy Perry: Video of the Year

She may have kissed a girl, but her younger version, Katy Hudson, might not have approved. Check out "Firework" and "E.T."-nominated Katy Perry smoldering as a Christian singer/songwriter back in 2001.

Who Am I?

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Justin Bieber: Best Male Video

Yeah, right. Like you didn't know who this was. Like you totally don't watch Beeb videos at work all day. Well, “Beliebers,” we found a good one for you. Check out a 12-year-old baby Bieber strumming a guitar and belting out Edwin McCain's "I'll Be" for a live audience. How hard must Simon Cowell be kicking himself for not discovering this kid?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy

Eminem: Best Male Video

Michigan high school freshman Eminem, a.k.a. Marshall Mathers, came thisclose to being featured in our mullets gallery in this shot from 1989! After a break from his music career, Eminem stormed back with the VMA-nominated video "Love the Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna.

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Chris Brown: Best Collaboration

It's hard to believe that Chris Brown was just a high school freshman a few years ago in this 2004 picture from Essex High School in Tappahannock, Virginia. Chris is nominated for his video "Look at Me Now," which also features Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes.

Who Am I?

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for TIME

Bruno Mars: Video of the Year

These cute little cheeks belong to international pop sensation Bruno Mars! Bruno started out as the most adorable Elvis impersonator in the world and has gone on to snag a bunch of VMA nominations on top of his already impressive career.

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Britney Spears: Best Pop Video

Baby Brit was mere months away from starting on her road to stardom in this first-grade portrait from Parklane Academy in McComb, Mississippi. In addition to her nomination, Britney will also be honored with a star-studded tribute to her flamboyant career. Dig out those plaid skirts and giant safety pins!

Who Am I?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Beyonce: Best Female Video

Nominated for "Run the World (Girls)," Beyonce started out as a typical freshman at the Houston School for the Performing and Visual Arts back in 1996. But Snakkle knows what she was really up to. We unearthed this '90s homemade music video of Beyonce and a friend rocking awesome bangs at the mall!