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Diane Martel

American music video director (1962–2025)

Summary

American music video director (1962–2025)

FieldValue
nameDiane Martel
other_namesBucky Chrome
Diamond Martel
birth_date
birth_placeNew York City, U.S.
death_date
death_placeNew York City, U.S.
occupation
years_active1989–2025
relativesJoseph Papp (uncle)

Diamond Martel

Diane Martel (May 7, 1962 – September 18, 2025) was an American music video director and choreographer. As a music video director, she worked with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Sting and Jennifer Lopez. One of her most well-known videos was for "Blurred Lines" (2013) by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell.

Early life

Martel was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 7, 1962. Her uncle was theatre producer and director Joseph Papp.

Career

Martel began her career as a street artist after dropping out of high school, and soon became a choreographer.

Martel began directing music videos in the early 1990s, beginning with "Throw Ya Gunz" by Onyx. Martel had also directed the 2013 video for Thicke's song "Blurred Lines". Both the song and the video were accused of misogyny. Martel defended the video, saying she intended it to be satirical: "[The women in the video] are actually ridiculing the men. It's hysterical". Martel's career spanned more than thirty years, concluding with the video for "Ecstasy" by Ciara, released in April 2025.

In 2022, Martel was the Harlan J. Strauss Visiting Filmmaker at the University of Oregon.

Death

Martel died of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, on September 18, 2025, at the age of 63. She never married and had no children.

Credits

Choreographer

  • 1989: Bloodhounds of Broadway – film
  • 1991: "Shiny Happy People" – R.E.M. music video, directed by Katherine Dieckmann
  • 1993: Life with Mikey – feature film directed by James Lapine

Documentary director

  • 1990: House of Tres – short documentary on voguing in the New York ballroom scene
  • 1992: Reckin' Shop: Live From Brooklyn – PBS documentary about hip-hop dancers in Brooklyn

Music video director

1990s

YearVideoArtistRef.
1992Throw Ya GunzOnyx
1993Crewz PopDa Youngsta's
DreamloverMariah Carey
Chief RockaLords of the Underground
1994You're Always on My MindSWV
HappinessBilly Lawrence
Bring the PainMethod Man
What I'm AfterLords of the Underground
Mass AppealGang Starr
Mad PropsDa Youngsta's
The Most Beautifullest Thing in This WorldKeith Murray
All I Want for Christmas Is YouMariah Carey
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)Mariah Carey
Anytime You Need a Friend (unreleased)Mariah Carey
1995Can't WaitRedman
Get LiftedKeith Murray
Live NiguzOnyx
Brooklyn ZooOl' Dirty Bastard
I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get ByMethod Man featuring Mary J. Blige
How HighMethod Man & Redman
The RiddlerMethod Man
1996FunkoramaRedman
It's AlrightDave Hollister
World So CruelFlesh-n-Bone featuring Ms. Chaz Monique & Reverend Run
1997Head over HeelsAllure featuring Nas
Closer/Driver's SeatCapone-N-Noreaga featuring Smoke of Complexions
Just Wanna Please U (Remix)Mona Lisa featuring The Lox
4, 3, 2, 1LL Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, Canibus, and DMX
1998The WorstOnyx featuring Wu-Tang Clan
The RoofMariah Carey
BreakdownMariah Carey featuring Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
My All (So So Def Remix)Mariah Carey
Whatcha Gonna Do?Jayo Felony featuring DMX and Method Man
Whenever You CallMariah Carey featuring Brian McKnight
Money, Power & RespectThe Lox featuring DMX and Lil' Kim
Angel of MineMonica
N.O.R.E.N.O.R.E.
Eyes Better Not WanderNicole Wray
1999Heartbreaker (Remix)Mariah Carey
Genie in a BottleChristina Aguileraurl= https://www.mtv.com/news/sj6s8r/beyonce-ruben-studdard-to-appear-in-luther-vandross-videotitle= Beyonce, Ruben Studdard To Appear In Luther Vandross Videofirst= Coreylast= Mossdate= July 21, 2003access-date= September 28, 2023work= MTV}}
Watch Out Now/Turn It OutThe Beatnuts
Cre-A-TineCool Breeze
Another Love SongInsane Clown Posse
What a Girl WantsChristina Aguilera
IncredibleKeith Murray featuring LL Cool J
PaperKrayzie Bone
G'd UpTha Eastsidaz featuring Snoop Dogg

2000s

YearVideoArtistRef.
2000Case of the ExMýa
Send It OnD'Angelo
If You Don't Wanna Love MeTamar
Keep It ThoroProdigy
FocusErick Sermon featuring DJ Quik & Xzibit
Front 2 BackXzibit
2001Who's That Girl?Eve
Young, Fresh n' NewKelis
LapdanceN.E.R.D.
After the Rain Has FallenSting
2002My Neck, My Back (Lick It)Khia
Grindin'Clipse (as Bucky Chrome)
Like I Love YouJustin Timberlake
Just a Friend 2002Mario
From tha Chuuuch to da PalaceSnoop Dogg
Star702 featuring Clipse
ProviderN.E.R.D. (as Bucky Chrome)
My GoddessThe Exies
2003Rest in PiecesSaliva
StuckStacie Orrico
Dance with My FatherLuther Vandross
2004InvisibleClay Aiken
If I Ain't Got YouAlicia Keys
What's Happenin'Method Man featuring Busta Rhymes
Welcome to My TruthAnastacia
I Could Be the OneStacie Orrico
Nobody's HomeAvril Lavigne
Truth IsFantasia Barrino
Bridging the GapNas
Shake Your CoconutsJunior Senior
2005Hold You DownJennifer Lopez featuring Fat Joe
Get Right (Remix)Jennifer Lopez featuring Fabolous
FearlessThe Bravery
Don't Let It Go to Your HeadFefe Dobson
So HighJohn Legend
I Don't CareRicky Martin featuring Fat Joe and Amerie
Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)Vivian Green
TouchOmarion
Do You Want ToFranz Ferdinand
U Already Know112
L.O.V.E.Ashlee Simpson
2006Doing Too MuchPaula DeAnda featuring Baby Bash
Ride a White HorseGoldfrapp
In My MindHeather Headley
I'm Not Missing YouStacie Orrico
ListenBeyoncé
Tu AmorRBD
PromiseCiara
2007Read My MindThe Killers
For Reasons UnknownThe Killers
Men's NeedsThe Cribs
An End Has a StartEditors
ConquestThe White Stripes
Like You'll Never See Me AgainAlicia Keys
Like a BoyCiara
2008The BossRick Ross
Who's That GirlRobyn
Google MeTeyana Taylor
Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom)N.E.R.D.
AddictionRyan Leslie featuring Cassie and Fabolous
Eat You Up (American version)BoA (the music video was later scrapped)
Whatcha Think About ThatThe Pussycat Dolls featuring Missy Elliott
Best of MeDaniel Powter
2009MadNe-Yo
If This Isn't LoveJennifer Hudson
Love Sex MagicCiara featuring Justin Timberlake
Outta HereEsmée Denters
Show Me What I'm Looking ForCarolina Liar
WantNatalie Imbruglia
Boys and GirlsPixie Lott
3Britney Spears
Sleza glamuraIrina Saltykova

2010s

YearVideoArtistRef.
2010Whataya Want from MeAdam Lambert
MissingFlyleaf
RideCiara featuring Ludacris
Kiss & CryIconiq
Light AheadIconiq
Tokyo LadyIconiq
Right Thru MeNicki Minaj
2011No One Gonna Love YouJennifer Hudson
Best Thing I Never HadBeyoncé
You Can't Be Friends with EveryoneMake Out
25/8Mary J. Blige
Mr. WrongMary J. Blige
Until It's GoneMonica
2012Lazy LoveNe-Yo
Brand New MeAlicia Keys
2013Just Give Me a ReasonPink featuring Nate Ruess
LeggoB. Smyth featuring 2 Chainz
Blurred LinesRobin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell
LolitaLeah LaBelle
We Can't StopMiley Cyrus
Give It 2 URobin Thicke featuring 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar
Evil EyeFranz Ferdinand
2014Pills n PotionsNicki Minaj
2015Ba$$inYelle
Love MeThe 1975
BB TalkMiley Cyrus
2016After the AfterpartyCharli XCX featuring Lil Yachty
2017Old SchoolUrban Cone
MalibuMiley Cyrus
A L I E N SColdplay
Younger NowMiley Cyrus
2018Feel the Love GoFranz Ferdinand
Give Yourself a TryThe 1975
DoseCiara
Close to MeEllie Goulding, Diplo & Swae Lee

2020s

YearVideoArtistRef.
2020My LoveJack Gilinsky featuring Don Toliver
2021ObsessedAddison Rae
Billy GoodbyeFranz Ferdinand (co-directed with Alex Kapranos & Ben Cole)
Make Some MoneyFabolous & Dave East featuring Snoop Dogg
2022GraceMarcus Mumford
OjalaMaluma, the Rudeboyz and Adam Levine
2023LifelineAlicia Keys
2025EcstasyCiara

Awards

Martel was nominated for the following MTV Video of the Year awards:

  • 2000 for "What a girl wants" by Christina Aguilera
  • 2013 for "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I.

References

References

  1. Eric Ducker. (June 26, 2013). "Q&A: Veteran Music Video Director Diane Martel on Her Controversial Videos for Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus".
  2. Amanda Dobbins. (June 26, 2013). "‘Blurred Lines’ Director: ‘I Don’t Think the Video Is Sexist’".
  3. Taylor, Derrick Bryson. (September 20, 2025). "Diane Martel, Inventive Director of Music Videos, Dies at 63". [[The New York Times]].
  4. (April 21, 2022). "Get the skinny on making music videos during filmmaker's visit".
  5. "2022 The Art of Music Video".
  6. Blistein, Jon. (September 18, 2025). "Diane Martel, Trailblazing Music Video Director Of ‘We Can’t Stop,’ ‘Blurred Lines,’ Dead At 63". Rolling Stone.
  7. "Diane Martel". Flaunt.
  8. Mitoma, Judith; Zimmer, Elizabeth; Stieber, Dale Ann u. a. (2002): Envisioning dance on film and video. New York: Routledge.
  9. (July 17, 1992). "TV Review: Alive TV: Reckin' Shop: Live From Brooklyn".
  10. "Billboard".
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  15. (March 7, 2020). "Mariah Carey's LOST Music Video From 1994". Entertainment Tonight.
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  26. Moss, Corey. (July 21, 2003). "Beyonce, Ruben Studdard To Appear In Luther Vandross Video". MTV}}{{dead link.
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  29. Tortorici, Frank. (December 17, 1999). "Christina Aguilera". MTV.
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  31. vanHorn, Teri. (June 7, 2001). "Kelis In Wanderland, But Still In Your Face". MTV.
  32. "Billboard".
  33. (October 4, 2002). "Snoop Says, 'It Is Cool To Say No To Drugs'". MTV.
  34. Oh, Minya. (October 18, 2002). "702 Are Wishing On A Star With Neptunes, Clipse". MTV.
  35. Moss, Corey. (October 30, 2002). "N.E.R.D. Dropping New Single, Planning New Album". MTV.
  36. "The Exies "My Goddess"". HIP Video Promo.
  37. DAngelo, Joe. (March 28, 2003). "Saliva Show Their Stinky Selves And Say, 'Kiss And Aerosmith, Dude!'". MTV.
  38. Moss, Corey. (April 23, 2003). "Stacie Orrico Won't Be 'Stuck' With Christian Tag". MTV.
  39. "Billboard".
  40. Reid, Shaheem. (February 5, 2004). "Alicia Keys Ready To Join Childhood Mic Buddy On Tour; Nabs Method Man For Video". MTV.
  41. Moss, Corey. (April 14, 2004). "Missy, P. Diddy, Snoop, Busta Join Method Man On New LP". MTV.
  42. DAngelo, Joe. (July 29, 2004). "Avril Tries Her Hand At Acting In 'Nobody's Home' Video". MTV.
  43. Moss, Corey. (November 22, 2004). "Missy's Got Fantasia's Ear, But An Ex-Lover Has Caught Her Eye". MTV.
  44. "Billboard".
  45. (March 30, 2005). "NEW RELEASE: Jennifer Lopez "Hold You Down"". VideoStatic.
  46. Montgomery, James. (April 20, 2005). "Killers Beef, Hipster Backlash Can't Bring The Bravery Down". MTV.
  47. (July 26, 2005). "For The Record: Quick News On Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Fefe Dobson, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan & More". MTV.
  48. Moss, Corey. (July 26, 2005). "John Legend Fantasizes While Couples Embrace 'So High'". MTV.
  49. (August 11, 2005). "For The Record: Quick News On Usher, Rihanna, JoJo, Lil' Kim, My Chemical Romance, Mya, Neil Young & More". MTV.
  50. (August 4, 2005). "NEW RELEASE: Omarion "Touch"". VideoStatic.
  51. (September 15, 2005). "NEW RELEASE: Franz Ferdinand "Do You Want To"". VideoStatic.
  52. (December 7, 2005). "For The Record: Quick News On Ashlee Simpson, The Inc., Juelz Santana, Beyonce, Yellowcard, Seether & More". MTV.
  53. (November 1, 2006). "NEW RELEASE: RBD "Tu Amor"". VideoStatic.
  54. Moss, Corey. (October 6, 2006). "50 Cent Gives Ciara The 'Flavor' She's Looking For". MTV.
  55. (November 30, 2007). "NEW RELEASE: The White Stripes "Conquest"". VideoStatic.
  56. (November 20, 2007). "NEW RELEASE: Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"". VideoStatic.
  57. (May 29, 2008). "New Video: N.E.R.D., 'Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In the Line for the Bathroom)'". MTV.
  58. (March 24, 2009). "WATCH IT: Ciara f/ Justin Timberlake "Love Sex Magic"". VideoStatic.
  59. Anitai, Tamar. (October 30, 2009). "Video Premiere: Britney Spears, '3'". MTV.
  60. Anitai, Tamar. (January 15, 2010). "Video Premiere: Adam Lambert, 'Whataya Want From Me'". MTV.
  61. "Billboard".
  62. Montgomery, James. (October 4, 2010). "Nicki Minaj's 'Right Thru Me' Video: Go Behind The Scenes!". MTV}}{{dead link.
  63. (December 18, 2012). "WATCH IT: Alicia Keys "Brand New Me" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  64. (February 9, 2013). "P!nk f/ Nate Ruess "Just Give Me a Reason" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  65. (March 20, 2013). "Robin Thicke "Blurred Lines" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  66. Rubenstein, Jenna Hally. (May 8, 2013). "New Video: Leah LaBelle, 'Lolita'". MTV.
  67. (June 19, 2013). "Miley Cyrus "We Can't Stop" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  68. (August 27, 2013). "Robin Thicke f/ 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar"Give It To" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  69. (September 9, 2013). "Franz Ferdinand "Evil Eye" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  70. (June 10, 2014). "Nicki Minaj f/ The Game "Pills N Potions" (Diane Martel, Geoffrey Lillemon, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  71. (May 20, 2015). "Yelle "Ba$$in" (Diane Martel & Geoffrey Lillemon, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  72. (October 29, 2015). "THE 1975 "Love Me" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  73. (December 12, 2015). "Miley Cyrus "BB Talk" (Miley Cyrus & Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  74. (October 31, 2016). "Charli XCX f/ Lil Yachty "After The Afterparty" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  75. (May 11, 2017). "Miley Cyrus "Malibu" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  76. (August 18, 2017). "Miley Cyrus "Younger Now" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  77. (June 4, 2018). "THE 1975 "Give Yourself A Try" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  78. (October 29, 2018). "Ciara "Dose" (Ciara, Diane Martel, Jamaica Craft, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  79. (April 17, 2020). "Jack Gilinsky f/ Don Toliver "My Love" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  80. (March 21, 2021). "Addison Rae "Obsessed" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  81. "SNOOP DOGG X DIANE MARTEL". Geoffrey Lillemon.
  82. (August 4, 2022). "Marcus Mumford "Grace" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  83. (October 31, 2022). "The Rudeboyz, Maluma, Adam Levine "Ojalá" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic.
  84. (September 3, 2000). "MTV Music Awards". Asbury Park Press.
  85. (September 17, 2013). "Kendrick Lamar, Miguel Among Nominees for the 2013 Soul Train Awards".
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