PLAYDAR: Diane Martel Video Retrospective

A video retrospective from the woman who brought us two of summer's most-talked-about music videos.

Director and choreographer Diane Martel has raised plenty of eyebrows this summer as the provocateur behind two of 2013’s most-talked-about music vids — Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop.” Both works have spawned chatter for their racy story lines and hypersexual imagery, shining a late-in-the-game spotlight on a videographer who’s been dropping videos loved by the gay community since the mid-’90s. 

Martel started making videos in 1992, when she directed hip-hop group Onyx in “Throw Ya Gunz.” From there, she went on to direct videos for everyone from Mariah to Mia to Miley. That’s what I’m focusing on in today’s playlist, Martel’s videos for some of our favorite divas. My top pick here is Ciara’s 2006 ballad “Promise.” The video shines, thanks to all its disco-glam imagery, and Martel’s capturing of the young singer in all her microphone-writhing, wall-twerking glory. Christina’s debut “Genie in the Bottle” is also in the lineup, along with “3” by post-breakdown Britney. I start, however, with what is arguably one of the most gasp-inducing tunes of the last decade — Khia’s “My Neck, My Back.” Because, come on, any director with the balls to direct a song with lyrics like that is a-for-amazeballs in my book. Enjoy the musical retrospective.

“My Neck, My Back” by Khia

“We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus

“Genie In A Bottle” by Christina Aguilera

“Promise” by Ciara

“Case of the Ex” by Mia

“Heartbreaker (Remix)” by Mariah feat. Da Brat, Missy Elliott

“3” by Britney Spears

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Have music you’d like to see featured on an upcoming Playdar? Email Patrick DeMarco at tintedoz@yahoo.com.