Today we’d like to introduce you to Diamond Love-Sorrells.
Hi Diamond, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in nearby Decatur, Diamond Love-Sorrells’s journey into the film industry was far from what she initially envisioned. Like many professionals in the sound department, her first love was music. Diamond’s passion for music developed early on as she observed her older brother creating beats for a group managed by their father. Eager to be part of the creative energy, Diamond joined an all-girls group her father had formed, but quickly realized that singing wasn’t her strength.
Everybody pretty much knew I was only in the group because of my dad,” she says with a laugh. “Lord knows I couldn’t carry a tune.” Eventually, she realized that if she couldn’t sing, she’d find her voice through the music itself. She spent countless hours learning beat-making on Fruity Loops (now FL Studio), quickly developing a deep love for music production. It was then that Diamond realized creating sound was her true passion.
After college, Diamond began engineering for rappers within the thriving Atlanta music scene. Her big break came when she landed an internship at Hustle Gang Studios in Decatur, working under the guidance of B Rich and Stroud Elliot. This opportunity eventually led to her role as a full-time studio engineer, where she worked with both high-profile artists and underground talent. “It was cool being a part of Atlanta history,” she reflects. “You can’t live in Atlanta and not know who T.I. and Hustle Gang are, formerly known as Grand Hustle.”
However, despite the success she was achieving in the music industry, Diamond began to feel frustrated with its limitations and yearned for something more fulfilling. “It’s funny,” she says. “One day, me and my dad were sitting in a room, visualizing and putting dreams into the atmosphere. He said, ‘You’re going to work for Tyler Perry Studios.’ I turned to him and said, ‘Now that would be a dream.’ Who knew that just a year later, I’d land an interview and start working there as a Sound Editor?”
At Tyler Perry Studios, Diamond found an environment of constant creativity that fueled her passion for sound design. Working on a year-round production schedule, she contributed to over 200 episodes across more than 10 series, including The Oval, All the Queen’s Men, House of Payne, Sistas, Zatima, Caught Up, Young Dylan, The Michael Blackson Show, and more. “Every day is something new,” she says. “We’re always shooting and creating. It keeps us sharp.” The pace is relentless, with each episode completed in a fraction of the time it would take most productions. “The amount of work we get done in one week would take most productions two to three weeks to complete.”
Diamond approaches each project with the mindset of the viewer, emphasizing the importance of fully understanding the tone and emotional undertones of each show. “When I first receive a show, I watch it down without distractions to really feel it — to understand the tone and the amount of work it needs,” she explains. The first episode of each show is particularly important to her, as it sets the sonic identity for the entire season. “Once the world around the dialogue is built, it becomes easier to fill in the gaps for the rest.”
In addition to her work in sound editing and design, Diamond has expanded her expertise into music supervision, most notably for Perimeter on BET+, a series directed by Armani Ortiz and starring Tatyana Ali, Donovan Christie, and Ava Monet. “Music is my first love — a love-hate relationship,” she admits with a smile. “But I always come back to it.” As a music supervisor, she plays a crucial role in translating the director’s visual storytelling into a powerful, emotional auditory experience.
Diamond’s work has earned her recognition as a proud member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, and she has been acknowledged for her contributions to two Emmy-nominated PBS documentaries, one of which also earned a Telly Award.
As the only Black female sound designer at Tyler Perry Studios, Diamond’s role holds profound significance both personally and professionally. “Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has been a journey,” she shares. “You’re always having to prove that you know what you’re talking about and that you’re capable of the job. It’s a constant reminder that I’m not just working for myself; I’m paving a path for others who look like me.” For Diamond, her work goes beyond just being in the room — it’s about ensuring her voice and perspective are not only heard but valued. She embraces the responsibility of breaking down barriers and proving that women, especially Black women, belong in the field of sound design just as much as anyone else.
Looking to the future, Diamond remains committed to expanding what sound and music can achieve together in film and television. “We’ve only scratched the surface of how sound can tell stories,” she says. “I want to help push the future of sound forward from a Black woman’s point of view.” In addition to her professional aspirations, Diamond is dedicated to creating opportunities for underprivileged youth to access professional audio training, ensuring that the next generation has the tools to succeed in the entertainment industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is ever perfectly smooth—not even one freshly paved. Every path has its bumps, and it’s the challenges along the way that truly shape the journey. People often talk about what it feels like to “make it,” but the real story—the part we live for—is everything that happens on the way there. The struggle is what makes the reward truly worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What do you do, what do you specialize in?
I’m a sound designer, sound editor, and music supervisor, for film and I specialize in bringing stories to life through sound.
What are you known for?
I’m known for my work as a sound editor, with credits on shows that have aired across BET, BET+, Paramount, Nickelodeon, PBS, In the Black Network, and Amazon. I co-produced the main title theme for Tyler Perry’s Bruh, and I’ve contributed to two Emmy-nominated documentaries, one of which also received a Telly Award. I have music placement in over 50 television shows, and I recently music supervised two episodes of Perimeter on BET+.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I believe finding a mentor should never be about what you can get from someone — it’s about what you can offer. The key is figuring out what that person needs and how you can be of service to them. Once you understand that, people are usually more open and willing to guide you. Another approach that’s worked for me is simply respecting people’s time — and sometimes, that means paying for it. Time is valuable, and offering a small incentive can go a long way in showing you’re serious and appreciative.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.boredcreativesaudio.com/
- Instagram: ProRow
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diamond-love-sorrells-a3509b71/
Image Credits
The photo in ABS studio is shot by Courtney Coprich
