Ester Dean

Driven by an intense urge to sing professionally, Ester Dean began phoning recording studios near her Oklahoma base and built enough rapport to contribute vocals to various demo recordings. She eventually relocated to Atlanta in search of greater opportunities, yet the distinctive rasp in her voice combined with a figure that defied conventional expectations slowed her advancement amid considerable industry skepticism. Recognition arrived first through her songwriting, which led to a deal with Zone 4, the Interscope-affiliated imprint run by Polow da Don. Her debut single, “Drop It Low” featuring Chris Brown, surfaced in summer 2009; while it never became a blockbuster hit, the track lingered on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart until December. At the time her name surfaced more frequently in connection with compositions for other artists, among them Teyana Taylor’s “Google Me,” Ciara’s “Never Ever,” Rihanna’s “Rude Boy,” and Mary J. Blige’s “The One.”

Although several years elapsed before another solo single appeared, her catalog of credits kept expanding. Early-2010s highlights included Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Rihanna’s “What’s My Name?,” Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass,” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All.” Demand also grew in Hollywood, where she supplied voice work and soundtrack performances, most prominently in Ice Age: Continental Drift and Pitch Perfect. Still operating as an Interscope recording artist, she issued the singles “Get My Dough” and “Twirk’n 4 Birk’n” in 2014.