Cliff Martinez is a former rock drummer known for his work with bands like Captain Beefheart and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who transitioned to becoming a Grammy-nominated film scorer. He has collaborated extensively with director Steven Soderbergh on projects like Sex, Lies & Videotape and The Knick, and has also worked on video games such as Far Cry 4 and films like Drive and Too Old to Die Young.

Born in New York and raised in Ohio, Martinez's early music career included drumming for various bands before he shifted his focus to composing for television and film. His partnership with Soderbergh led to critical acclaim and award nominations for their work on films like Traffic. Martinez's distinctive style, characterized by unsettling keyboard-based music, has made him a sought-after composer in the industry, with notable collaborations with directors Nicolas Winding Refn and Todd Phillips.