Ester Renay Dean (frequently seen as Esther Dean born on December
15, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter, and record producer
signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable
for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture (2011)
and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured
singer Chris Brown. Dean has also written songs with many artists
including Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige,
Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher, Kelly Rowland,
Girlicious, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Britney Spears, and Soulja Boy Tell
'Em.
Ester Dean was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, then in her late teens,
she moved to Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Omaha North High
School, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, until relocating to Los Angeles,
California
[edit] Present: Songwriting
When Dean relocated to Los Angeles, California, she became a successful
songwriter, and was introduced to Polow da Don, and later signed
to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. During her tenure, Dean has
amassed a catalog of songs she has written or co-written for other
artists, such as Britney Spears, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Monica,
Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland, Girlicious, Katy Perry,
Trey Songz, Ciara, Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Teyana Taylor,
Beyoncé Knowles, and Christina Aguilera, among others.
Dean recorded and released her first single, "Drop It Low" which
features singer Chris Brown, from the LeBron James documentary, More
Than a Game (2009), which peaked at #38 on the US Billboard Hot 100,
becoming her first US Top 40 single. The song received positive reviews,
and the song was remixed by artists such as Lil Wayne, Trey Songz
and Diddy. Dean has co-written songs featured on the Step Up 3D Original
Motion Picture Soundtrack (2010) and Burlesque: Original Motion Picture
Soundtrack (2010). She also co-wrote "Super Bass", a bonus
track for Nicki Minaj's debut album Pink Friday (2011). The song
was received well, with many fans stating it was better than some
of the main tracks, and should have been on the standard edition
of the album. "Super Bass" was released as a single and
after becoming Minaj's first top ten placement as a lead artist[3]
has gone on to achieve the position of number three on the Hot 100.[4]
The song's title is included as part of the title of a UK Deluxe
edition of the album, Pink Friday (Super Bass Edition).[5] Dean has
a dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture (2011) with "Let
Me Take You To Rio" and "Take You To Rio".
[edit] 2011-Present: First Studio Album & Debut Film
She is working on her debut studio album set to be released in 2011..
Ester told billboard "We're working on picking songs right now," Ester
tells The Juice. Ester is shooting for a sound that suits her unique
voice, which she calls "hard" and "raspy."[6]
Ester made a appearance in Ice Age 4 "I'm just excited," Ester
says of playing her character, the Sloth Siren. "On August 23,
I go put my voice down. And my character gets to sing." Ester
is one of many musicians in the Ice Age 4 cast. Drake, Nicki Minaj,
Queen Latifah and Jennifer Lopez are lending their voices to the
film.[7]
[edit] Discography
Main article: List of songs written by Ester Dean
[edit] Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications,
showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions
Certifications Album
US US R&B US Pop
"
Drop It Low"
(featuring Chris Brown) 2009 38 33 32 More Than a Game