What can we say about the passing of music video director goddess and seminal visionary maverick?
Diane Martel was born on a very special, vital day: May 7, 1962. For those in the know, you understand. For those just coming around—INYIM Media’s own inventor was born on the same day. Cosmic alignment? We think yes.
She was a one-of-one, an individual groundbreaking brain thinker. Provocation and beauty were Martel’s signature. She got her start directing videos for NYC hip-hop legends and quickly became one of the most in-demand directors of her generation.
She worked with some of our greatest inspirations and muses of all time, including:
- Mariah Carey
- Christina Aguilera
- Franz Ferdinand
- Kelis
- The Bravery
…and so, so many more!
Diane Martel trailblazed a galaxy of music videos that not only raised us but gave us creative juice we’ve been squeezing since the 1990s. We shall carry the artist torch and continue her legacy in one creative form or another.
We have a treasure chest brain of wondrous, one-of-a-kind playlists. The following is an in-depth, meticulous archival collection where Diane Martel helmed as captain of the ship.
In the words from some of the titles of her most legendary masterpieces: Get right by rubbing the genie out of the bottle with your neck, your back, and all your fearless creative ideas.
Iconic Martel-Directed Music Videos
- Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera (1999): A pop masterpiece that launched a global icon.
- All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey (1994): Co-directed by Martel, this holiday classic has defined the season for generations.
- If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys (2003): A soulful visual that cemented Keys’ artistry.
- My Neck, My Back (Lick It) – Khia: Unapologetically bold and unforgettable.
- Right Thru Me – Nicki Minaj: Vulnerability meets edge in this visual stunner.
…and dozens more that shaped the visual language of pop, R&B, and alternative music.
First up! It’s “Genie in a Bottle” by one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Miss Christina Aguilera. Establishing her as a global pop star. Circa 1999. A classic debut music video from the early days of her career. A pop masterpiece was born!
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994), Mariah Carey: Martel co-directed this perennial holiday classic, which has been streamed and viewed billions of times, defining the holiday season for an entire generation.
“If I Ain’t Got You” (2003), Alicia Keys: This acclaimed video is a prominent example of Diane Martel’s extensive collaboration with Keys.
“Breakdown” – Mariah Carey: Co-directed by Diane Martel, this 1998 visual pairs Carey’s emotional vulnerability with striking imagery, making it one of her most artistically resonant collaborations.
“After the Afterparty” – Charli XCX: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2016 music video features Charli and Lil Yachty partying with zombies in a wild, neon-lit Halloween fantasy. It’s a bold, chaotic celebration of pop excess and Martel’s signature visual flair.
“3” – Britney Spears: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2009 music video features Spears in a sleek black-and-white setting, delivering bold choreography and playful visuals that match the song’s provocative energy.
“Case of the Ex” – Mýa: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2000 music video features Mýa and her dancers in a fierce desert showdown, complete with choreographed pole work and Mad Max-inspired visuals. It became one of her breakthrough hits and remains a defining moment in early 2000s R&B-pop video artistry.
“Dreamlover” – Mariah Carey: Directed by Diane Martel, this 1993 visual is one of her most iconic collaborations. Set in sunlit fields and carefree landscapes, it marked the beginning of Martel’s long creative partnership with Carey and helped define the pop aesthetic of the early ’90s.
“Eat You Up” – BoA: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2008 video marked BoA’s bold entrance into the Western pop market. With high-energy choreography and futuristic visuals, it stands as one of Martel’s most dynamic international collaborations.
“Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom)” – N.E.R.D.: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2008 video is one of her most provocative and visually chaotic works. Tackling themes of nightlife excess and social commentary, Martel brought N.E.R.D.’s edgy concept to life with bold, club-inspired visuals that matched the song’s frenetic energy.
“Evil Eye” – Franz Ferdinand: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2013 video is one of her most daring and visually intense works. Styled as a low-budget horror pastiche, it’s a gruesome, surreal ride through blood-soaked imagery and campy gore—perfectly matching the band’s dark, funky energy.
“Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)” – Vivian Green: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2005 video showcases Green’s soulful strength and emotional clarity. With sleek visuals and empowering energy, it became her second No. 1 on the Billboard Dance chart and stands as one of Martel’s standout R&B collaborations.
“Like a Boy” – Ciara: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2007 video is one of her most powerful statements on gender roles. With sharp choreography and a flipped narrative, Martel helped Ciara deliver a bold, female-empowerment anthem that remains a standout in both of their careers.
“My Neck, My Back (Lick It)” – Khia: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2002 video is one of her boldest and most controversial works. With its unapologetically explicit lyrics and raw visual energy, Martel helped cement the track as a Dirty South club anthem and a defining moment in early 2000s hip-hop culture.
“Promise” – Ciara: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2006 video is one of her most visually striking R&B collaborations. Featuring Ciara performing with a gravity-defying microphone in a sleek, minimalist setting, Martel’s direction emphasized raw emotion and movement—earning the video a BET Award nomination and solidifying its place as a standout in both their careers.
“Right Thru Me” – Nicki Minaj: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2010 video is one of her most emotionally raw and cinematic works. Featuring intimate scenes of love and conflict, Martel helped reveal a vulnerable side of Minaj rarely seen at the time—making it a standout moment in both of their visual legacies.
“Fearless” – The Bravery: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2005 video stands out as one of her most stylized rock collaborations. Featuring the band performing on speeding boats, Martel infused the visual with kinetic energy and sleek black-and-white cinematography—perfectly complementing the track’s bold, defiant spirit.
“She Moves in Her Own Way” – The Kooks: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2006 video captures the band’s carefree charm during their early rise. As one of Martel’s standout indie rock collaborations, it blends road-trip visuals with sunlit nostalgia—perfectly complementing the song’s breezy Britpop vibe.
“Stuck” – Stacie Orrico: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2003 video captures the emotional rollercoaster of teenage heartbreak. Set in a high school backdrop, Martel’s storytelling and visual style helped elevate the song into an international hit—making it one of her standout pop collaborations.
“What a Girl Wants” – Christina Aguilera: Directed by Diane Martel, this 1999 video followed the success of Genie in a Bottle and helped solidify Aguilera’s status as a rising pop icon. With vibrant colors, playful choreography, and a confident tone, it’s one of Martel’s most iconic early-2000s pop visuals.
“Who’s That Girl?” – Eve: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2001 video is one of her standout hip-hop collaborations. With bold styling and fierce attitude, Martel helped showcase Eve’s commanding presence—cementing the track as a defining anthem of early 2000s rap culture.
“Young, Fresh n’ New” – Kelis: Directed by Diane Martel, this 2001 video is one of her most electrifying and futuristic works. Filmed in Los Angeles, it matched Kelis’s bold style with Martel’s kinetic visuals—creating a vibrant, genre-defying statement that helped define early-2000s alt-R&B aesthetics.
And so we close this tribute with full hearts and deep reverence at a soul who succumbed to breast cancer this week.
Diane Martel was more than a director—she was a creative force, a visionary who shaped the visual language of pop, R&B, hip-hop, and indie music across decades. Her work amplified the voices of some of the greatest stars of our time, from Mariah Carey to Christina Aguilera, from Kelis to Franz Ferdinand. She didn’t just direct videos—she sculpted moments that became part of our cultural DNA.
She was a creative like the rest of us. Here to make beautiful things. To provoke, to inspire, to elevate. And though she has passed, her spirit remains in every frame she touched, in every beat she helped bring to life.
She will always be remembered beautifully.
Drop your favorite Diane Martel-directed video in the comments. Let’s celebrate her legacy the way she would’ve wanted—boldly, creatively, and with love.
