Diane Martel, Acclaimed Video Director, Dead at 63

Diane Martel, acclaimed video director and all-around creative talent, has died at the age of 63. A statement issued to Rolling Stone confirmed that she passed away on Thursday (Sept. 18).

“Diane passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital  – surrounded by friends and family – after a long battle with breast cancer,” relayed her family. She is survived by her Aunt, Gail Merrifield Papp (wife of Joseph Papp, founder of The Public Theatre), her three beloved, loyal cats (Poki, PopPop, PomPom), and many loving lifetime friends.”

Known for her work with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Ciara, Jennifer Lopez, Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and more, the industry collectively grieved the loss of the visionary powerhouse.

“You believed in me and I believed in you! You will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am forever grateful for all the magic we’ve were able to make together,” wrote Ciara on Instagram. Martel’s most recently released work is the singer’s “Ectasy” music video issued earlier this year.

“I know it was all God! Heaven has just gained an Angel. I love you so much @DianeMartel_ A.k.a. Miss D! Rest In Paradise,” she closed with a red heart emoji.

Gang Starr, the Hip-Hop duo comprised of MC Guru and DJ Premier, also released a tribute to Martel on social media, listing some of her most memorable work.

“R.I.P. DIANE MARTEL who passed yesterday Sept. 18th from breast Cancer,” began the post, which featured an image of Martel behind the camera.

“She directed our @gangstarr video ‘MASS APPEAL’ (1994). She directed so many classics from Onyx (Throw Ya Gunz), ODB (Brooklyn Zoo), Method Man (Bring The Pain), Clipse (Grindin), Big Shug (Treat U Better), Keith Murray (The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World), Khia (My Neck, My Back), Mariah Carey (Dreamlover/All I Want For Christmas), Christina Aguilera (Genie In A Bottle), Robin Thicke (Blurred Lines), Miley Cyrus (We Can’t Stop) and many more… And add Photography to her menu. Your endless history will remain recognized. Sleep Peacefully.”

Pusha T also shared a message on Instagram stories thanking Martel for “everything,” with her moniker Bucky Chrome.

Born in New York, Martel got her start in the 1990s as a street artist, according to her biography at the University of Oregon, where she was named the 2022 Harlan J. Strauss Visiting Filmmaker at the Department of Cinema Studies. As described, her experience in dance and choreography influenced her filmmaking career, with her first big projects existing as dance documentaries funded by the National Endowment for the Arts that aired on the Public Broadcasting Service.

She continued to enter the music video space, excelling behind the camera lens for Onyx’s “Throw Ya Gunz” video in 1992.

“I love performers and my minimalist work puts them front and center,” she explained to Grantland in 2013 as she broke down her work with women who express themselves sexually.

“They have to perform because there is not a lot else going on; they feel this on set, and the way I shoot invites them to contribute a lot. Some songs are about sex, some moments in careers are about sex. If it’s called for, we go there. I was a dancer, I know what it takes to go there.”

In VIBE Magazine’s December 2003 issue, Martel spoke to her passion for Hip-Hop and finding opportunity after dropping out of high school at the age of 16. She has also been featured in Rolling Stone, FADER, Paper Magazine, Flaunt, and more.

“Just like a hot beat makes you move, a hot video should excite and inspire you. Yes, it’s a sales tool, but it’s also a visual presentation of the artist’s poetry and culture interpreted by the director. Just like a sick lyricist, producer, or singer, a director must have an authentic vision, a point of view, and a voice,” she explained to Mimi Valdés.

“I feel blessed to work in my field.”

VIBE sends our condolences to the family, friends, fans, and collaborators of Diane Martel.