50 Best Music Video Directors (2019)
by osewa | created - 07 Aug 2018 | updated - 28 Jan 2019 | PublicWe all do love well produced music videos, right? So find a collection of the greatest music video directors right here on IMDb. I have added links to their Instagram pages (or Twitter / Wikipedia in case they are not on the gram).
Credit:
Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_video_director
Pigeons & Planes | https://pigeonsandplanes.com/in-depth/2017/11/25-music-video-directors-you-should-know/
1. Dave Meyers
Director | The Hitcher
Dave Meyers is a director and producer, known for The Hitcher (2007), Foolish (1999) and Volatile Love (2015).
Latest directed music video:
2018 | STOP TRYING TO BE GOD - Travis Scott featuring Kid Cudi, Stevie Wonder, James Blake, Philip Bailey
https://www.instagram.com/dave_meyers/
2. Nabil Elderkin
Director | Gully
Latest directed music video:
2017 | SZA - Dove In The Wind featuring Kendrick Lamar
https://www.instagram.com/nabildo/
3. Lacey Duke
Director | Queen Sugar
Latest directed music video:
2018 | Janelle Monáe - I Like That
https://www.instagram.com/laceyduke/
4. Romain Gavras
Director | Notre jour viendra
Romain Gavras is a director and actor, known for Our Day Will Come (2010), M.I.A.: Bad Girls (2012) and The World Is Yours (2018).
Latest directed music video:
2016 | Gosh - Jamie xx
https://twitter.com/romain_gavras
5. Melina Matsoukas
Director | Queen & Slim
Melina Matsoukas was born on January 14, 1981. She is a director and producer, known for Queen & Slim (2019), Insecure (2016) and Beyoncé: Formation (2016).
Latest directed music video:
2016 | Formation – Beyoncé
https://www.instagram.com/msmelina/
6. Eric Wareheim
Producer | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Eric Wareheim was born on April 7, 1976 in Audubon, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (2007), Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories (2013) and Master of None (2015).
Latest directed music video:
2016 | Dripping – Blonde Redhead
https://www.instagram.com/ericwareheim/
7. Spike Jonze
Producer | Her
Spike Jonze made up one-third (along with Andy Jenkins and Mark Lewman) of the triumvirate of genius minds behind Dirt Magazine, the brother publication of the much lamented ground-breaking Sassy Magazine. These three uncommon characters were all editors for Grand Royal Magazine as well, under the ...
Latest directed music video:
2015 | Only One - Kanye West feat. Paul McCartney
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_Jonze_videography
8. Johan Renck
Director | Chernobyl
Johan Renck is one of the most respected and sought after directors of commercials and music videos today, so much so that the French magazine CB News dubbed him "the number one director of commercials and music videos in the world".
His directing career started in 1992 when he joined the production...
https://www.instagram.com/johanrenck/
10. Paul Thomas Anderson
Director | Punch-Drunk Love
Anderson was born in 1970. He was one of the first of the "video store" generation of film-makers. His father was the first man on his block to own a V.C.R., and from a very early age Anderson had an infinite number of titles available to him. While film-makers like Spielberg cut their teeth making...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Thomas_Anderson
11. Tyler the Creator
Soundtrack | The Grinch
Tyler, The Creator is an American musician in all aspects, including producing, directing music videos as well as writing and performing as an artist. He was born in Boulder, Colorado as Tyler Okonma to a single mother. In 2008 Tyler, The Creator founded the hip-hop collective Odd Future, a ...
https://www.instagram.com/feliciathegoat/
12. Jake Schreier
Director | Robot & Frank
Jake Schreier is a director and producer, known for Robot & Frank (2012), Paper Towns (2015) and Thunderbolts.
https://www.instagram.com/jakeschreier/
14. Matthew Dillon Cohen
Director | Gus Dapperton: Prune, You Talk Funny
https://www.instagram.com/itsbongoboy/
15. Cole Bennett
Director | Post Malone: Motley Crew
Cole Bennett is a director and editor, known for Post Malone: Motley Crew (2021), Lil Skies Feat. Landon Cube: Nowadays (2017) and Juice WRLD Feat. Young Thug: Bad Boy (2021).
https://www.instagram.com/_colebennett_/
16. Austin Vesely
Director | Slice
Austin Vesely is a director and actor, known for Slice (2018), Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment: Sunday Candy (2015) and Kehlani Feat. Chance the Rapper: The Way (2015).
https://www.instagram.com/austinvesely/
18. Petra Collins
Director | Olivia Rodrigo: Good 4 U
Petra Collins is a director and actress, known for Olivia Rodrigo: Good 4 U (2021), Spiral and Transparent (2014).
https://www.instagram.com/petrafcollins/
20. Floria Sigismondi
Director | The Runaways
Floria Sigismondi is a photographer and director. Apart from her art exhibitions she is best known for directing music videos. Her trademark dilating, jittery camerawork, noticeable as early as her video for Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People", has been replicated by a great number of directors...
https://twitter.com/floriamamaroma
21. Hannah Lux Davis
Director | Ariana Grande: Thank U, Next
Hannah Lux Davis is a filmmaker best known for her work in music videos. With a passion for creating striking imagery, storytelling, and making stars look and feel their very best, she has established herself as one of today's most in-demand creators.
Some of Davis' most notable achievements include...
https://www.instagram.com/hannahluxdavis/
22. Kevin Abstract
Soundtrack | Helmet Boy
Kevin Abstract is a director and producer, known for Helmet Boy (2017), The Grinch (2018) and Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021).
https://www.instagram.com/iansimpson/
23. Mark Romanek
Director | One Hour Photo
Mark Romanek was born on September 18, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a director and producer, known for One Hour Photo (2002), Never Let Me Go (2010) and Michael Jackson Feat. Janet Jackson: Scream (1995). He is married to Brigette Romanek.
https://www.instagram.com/markromanek/
24. Director X.
Director | Across the Line
Director X (formerly known as Little X) was born on October 31st,1975 in Toronto, Canada, and is of Trinidadian and Swiss descent. Moving to New York City he became the protégé of pioneering hip hop director Hype Williams, X has been noted for directing high-budget, visually distinctive videos for ...
https://www.instagram.com/directorx/
25. Canada
Director | Dua Lipa: Physical
CANADA is an international duo of directors and a creative production company based in Barcelona and London.
https://www.instagram.com/lawebdecanada/
26. Chris Cunningham
Make_up_department | Judge Dredd
Chris Cunningham made his directorial debut in 1997 with the music video for "Come to Daddy" by Aphex Twin, which was instantly praised, banned, and raved about by many people in the business. He followed up by making the music video for "Windowlicker" by Aphex Twin, and the astounding "All is Full...
Know for:
1997 | Come to Daddy - Aphex Twin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Cunningham
27. Daniel Sannwald
Director | Yves Tumor Feat. James K: Licking an Orchid
https://www.instagram.com/danielsannwald/
28. Beyoncé
Soundtrack | Dreamgirls
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas. Her mom, Tina Knowles-Lawson designs their glittering costumes & her dad, Mathew Knowles manages Destiny's Child. Solange, her sister (they're 4 years apart) has released her debut album. She dances with her big sister during ...
https://www.instagram.com/beyonce/
29. Ye
Soundtrack | The Great Gatsby
Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer. His musical career has been marked by dramatic changes in styles, incorporating an eclectic range of influences including soul, baroque pop, electro, indie rock, ...
Latest directed music video:
2018 | Kanye West & Lil Pump ft. Adele Givens - I Love It
https://twitter.com/kanyewest
30. David Fincher
Director | Se7en
David Fincher was born in 1962 in Denver, Colorado, and was raised in Marin County, California. When he was 18 years old he went to work for John Korty at Korty Films in Mill Valley. He subsequently worked at ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) from 1981-1983. Fincher left ILM to direct TV commercials...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Fincher
31. Lady Gaga
Soundtrack | A Star Is Born
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is an American songwriter, singer, actress, philanthropist, dancer and fashion designer.
Gaga was born on March 28, 1986 in Manhattan, New York City, to Cynthia Louise (Bissett), a philanthropist and business executive, and Joseph Anthony ...
https://www.instagram.com/ladygaga/
32. Hype Williams
Director | Belly
Hype Williams was born in July 1970 in Queens, New York, USA. He is a director and producer, known for Belly (1998), Coldplay: Viva La Vida (2008) and Busta Rhymes: Fire (2000).
https://twitter.com/hypewilliams
33. Drake
Actor | Degrassi: The Next Generation
Aubrey Drake Graham was born in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Dennis Graham, an African-American musician born in Memphis, Tennessee, and Sandi (Sher) Graham, a Canadian Jewish educator. As a young man, Drake appeared in several commercials, for such retailers as Sears and GMC. In 2001, Drake rose ...
https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/
34. Kendrick Lamar
Soundtrack | Black Panther
Kendrick Lamar is a hip-hop artist from Compton, California. He's signed with Dr. Dre's label, Aftermath. Kendrick also has his own label, known as 'Top Dawg Entertainment', with includes artists such as Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q and Ab Soul. Kendrick's major label debut album, 'good kid m.A.A.d city' ...
https://www.instagram.com/kendricklamar/
35. Britney Spears
Soundtrack | Crossroads
Britney Jean Spears was born on December 2, 1981 in McComb, Mississippi & raised in Kentwood, Louisiana. As a child, Britney attended dance classes, and she was great at gymnastics, winning many competitions and the like. But, most of all, Britney loved to sing. At age 8, Britney tried out for The ...
https://www.instagram.com/britneyspears/
36. Michael Bay
Producer | Armageddon
A graduate of Wesleyan University, Michael Bay spent his 20s working on advertisements and music videos. His first projects after film school were in the music video business. He created music videos for Tina Turner, Meat Loaf, Lionel Richie, Wilson Phillips, Donny Osmond and Divinyls. His work won...
https://www.instagram.com/michaelbay/
37. George Michael
Soundtrack | Beverly Hills Cop II
George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in Finchley, north London, in the United Kingdom, to Lesley Angold (Harrison), a dancer, and Kyriacos Panayiotou, a restaurateur. His father was a Greek Cypriot, and his mother was of English background. He first discovered fame as a musician ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Michael
38. David LaChapelle
Director | Krumped
By 2011, LaChapelle had a major exhibition of new works at The Lever House in New York and went on to have retrospectives at the Museo Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico, the Hangaram Design Museum in Seoul, and Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague. In the following years, LaChapelle's works ...
https://www.instagram.com/david_lachapelle/
39. Jonas Åkerlund
Director | Lords of Chaos
Jonas Åkerlund was born on November 10, 1965 in Bromma, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden. He is a director and editor, known for Lords of Chaos (2018), Polar (2019) and Try (2000). He is married to B. Åkerlund. He was previously married to Charlotta Palmbäck.
https://twitter.com/akerlund_jonas
40. Marc Webb
Director | (500) Days of Summer
Marc Webb is an American film and music video director. He directed over 100 music videos before he made his film directorial debut with 500 Days of Summer, a romantic comedy. He later directed The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. The box office ...
https://twitter.com/marcw
41. Samuel Bayer
Producer | Pony
Having photographed and directed hundreds of music videos and commercials over the last 15 years, Samuel Bayer has firmly established himself as one of the industry's most prolific and sought-after talents.
A 1987 graduate of New York City's School of Visual Arts, Bayer was a painter who saw film ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bayer_videography
42. Spike Lee
Director | Do the Right Thing
Spike Lee was born Shelton Jackson Lee on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia. At a very young age, he moved from pre-civil rights Georgia, to Brooklyn, New York. Lee came from artistic, education-grounded background; his father was a jazz musician, and his mother, a schoolteacher. He attended ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_Lee_filmography
43. Bryan Barber
Director | Idlewild
Bryan Barber was born December 20, 1970. He is a music video and motion picture director. He has directed many music videos for popular artists.
Bryan Barber takes inspiration from many sources and says his upbringing has always helped form his vision. For Barber, writing and directing began as an ...
Latest directed music video:
2018 | Something New - Wiz Khalifa ft. Ty Dolla Sign
https://www.instagram.com/bryanbarber/
44. Joseph Khan
Director | Black Eyed Peas: Behind the Bridge to Elephunk
Joseph Khan is a director, known for Black Eyed Peas: Behind the Bridge to Elephunk (2004) and E! Live from the Red Carpet (1995).
Latest directed music video:
2018 | Dinero - Jennifer Lopez Feat. DJ Khaled, Cardi B
https://www.instagram.com/josephkahn/
45. Chris Robinson
Director | ATL
Filmmaker Chris Robinson is from Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Foothill College in Los Altos where he played football and studied mass communication. He discovered Spike Lee's independent film"She's Gotta Have It" and was inspired to pursue the craft. Robinson began shooting music videos for ...
Latest directed music video:
2017 | Way Back - TLC Feat. Snoop Dogg
https://www.instagram.com/mrrobotodirector/
46. John Landis
Director | The Blues Brothers
John Landis began his career in the mail room of 20th Century-Fox. A high-school dropout, 18-year-old Landis made his way to Yugoslavia to work as a production assistant on Kelly's Heroes (1970). Remaining in Europe, Landis found work as an actor, extra and stuntman in many of the Spanish/Italian "...
Know for:
1983 | Thriller - Michael Jackson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Music_videos_directed_by_John_Landis
47. Michel Gondry
Director | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
He grew up in Versailles with a family who was very influenced by pop music. When he was young, Gondry wanted to be a painter or an inventor. In the 80s he entered in an art school in Paris where he could develop his graphic skills and where he also met friends with whom he created a pop-rock band ...
Latest directed music video:
2016 | City Lights - The White Stripes
https://twitter.com/michelgondry
48. Amanda Adelson
Writer | The Dirt
Amanda Adelson is known for The Dirt (2019), Mid90s (2018) and Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013).
Latest directed music video:
2018 | I Love It - Kanye West
https://www.instagram.com/amandukah
49. Zia Anger
Director | I Remember Nothing
Zia Anger is a director and actress, known for I Remember Nothing (2015), Always All Ways, Anne Marie and My Last Film (2015).
Latest directed music video:
2018 | Fallingwater - Maggie Rogers
https://www.instagram.com/zfoa/
51. Dan Kwan
Director | Swiss Army Man
Dan Kwan was born on February 10, 1988 in Westborough, Massachusetts, USA. He is a director and actor, known for Swiss Army Man (2016), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and DJ Snake and Lil Jon: Turn Down for What (2014).
https://www.instagram.com/dunkwun/
52. Hiro Murai
Director | Atlanta
Hiro Murai is a director and producer, known for Atlanta (2016), Guava Island (2019) and Childish Gambino: This Is America (2018).
Latest directed music video:
2018 | This Is America - Childish Gambino
https://www.instagram.com/muraihiro
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