Ester Dean
Ester Dean | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ester Renay Dean |
| Born | Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, actress, voice actress |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Roc Nation / Interscope |
| Website | EsterDean.com |
Ester Renay Dean (born December 15, 1987)[1] is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Roc Nation. 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, Kelly Clarkson, Ciara, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher, Kelly Rowland, Girlicious, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Britney Spears, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Pia Toscano, Tinie Tempah, Lil Wayne, Machine Gun Kelly and recently Shakira.
In 2012 Dean also lent her voice to Ice Age as one of the characters, as well to the film Pitch Perfect and the soundtrack.
Biography
1987-2010: Early life and career beginnings
Ester Dean was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1987, but lived in Tulsa, 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. In an interview Dean spoke on her family life, "Yes, in the country!". She was influenced by her mother’s blues music and her church singing. "I used to sing into anything I could hear myself back on. That's what I'd do. Even if it was karaoke, I just wanted to be heard, you know? I believe my mom wanted me to be a star and an artist. I think it trickles down. Sometimes it takes them to want it for you to do it."[2] 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, Kelly Clarkson, Ciara, Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Pia Toscano, Ginuwine, Teyana Taylor, Scotty McCreery, 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).
2011-Present: First studio album and Roc Nation
Throughout 2011 Dean carried on song writing while working on her album, she co-wrote "Super Bass", for Nicki Minaj's debut album Pink Friday (2011).[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". Dean is featured on the song "Invincible", the second single by American rapper Machine Gun Kelly's debut album. The song has been used in a HTC ReZound ad and also served as one of several theme songs for WrestleMania XXVIII.
Talking on her debut album Ester said "I did not want to be an artist because I was afraid" Dean confesses, "I had tried that before but I learnedI had to lose 20 pounds when I weighed only 130 pounds, it poisoned me, however Polow wanted to embrace everything about me and welcomed me to his family just like me ".[6] Dean is working on her debut studio album set to be released in early 2012. 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."[7] In January 2012 Dean took to twitter to announce that she has signed to Roc Nation “I’m so Grateful 4 my Team Past and Present! Bringing in the New Year with my new Team @RocNation 2012,”[8] She has worked with Stargate on six of the album's tracks.[9] Gimme Money featuring Nicki Minaj was released online in February 2012 through Dean's official Twitter. Dean tweeted “If you guys Love Gimmie Money ft Nicki Minaj as my Single let’s get it Trending #GimmieMoney”.[10] Dean has also picked 10 tracks that will be featured on her debut album.[11]
Dean made an appearance in Ice Age: Continental Drift. "I'm just excited," Dean 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: Continental Drift cast. Drake, Nicki Minaj, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Lopez are lending their voices to the film.[7]
For her album, Dean has been reported to be working with rapper Nicki Minaj and Roc Nation signee Alexis Jordan.[12][13]
Discography
Singles
| 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 OST | |
| "Gimmie Money" (featuring Nicki Minaj) |
2012 | — | — | — | TBA | |
Guest Vocals
| Year | Title | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "I Think I Love Her" | The State vs. Radric Davis | Gucci Mane |
| 2009 | "Birthday Sex (Remix)" | Jeremih | Jeremih |
| 2009 | "I Love U" | Graffiti | Chris Brown |
| 2010 | "Hot Tottie" | Versus | Usher |
| 2010 | "Grammy" | The DeAndre Way | Soulja Boy |
| 2010 | "I Know You Got a Man" | Battle of the Sexes | Ludacris |
| 2010 | "Super Bass" | Pink Friday | Nicki Minaj |
| 2010 | "Love Suicide" | Disc-Overy | Tinie Tempah |
| 2011 | "Invincible" | Lace Up | MGK |
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Rio | Boy in gondola | |
| 2012 | Ice Age: Continental Drift | Sloth Siren | |
| Pitch Perfect | Cynthia Rose |
References
- ^ a b "I Want Her Job: Ester Dean (Singer / Songwriter)". blogtalkradio.com. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 28 Deecember 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Clayton Perry (26 October 2009). "Interview: Ester Dean - Singer and Songwriter". blogcritics.org. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ Gary Trust (15 June 2011). "Adele 'Rolling' Along Atop Hot 100, Jason Aldean & Nicki Minaj Reach Top 10". billboard.com. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Super Bass - Billboard.com". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "Pink Friday (Super Bass Edition) - Amazon.com". amazon.co.uk. Amazon.com. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ "Ester Dean biography - all about Ester Dean". artistwiki.com. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ a b Erica Thompson (19 August 2011). "Ester Dean Talks 'Ice Age 4,' New Album and Missy Elliott". billboard.com. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ "Ester Dean Signs Management Deal With Roc Nation". rap-up.com. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ "Ester Dean - Twitter Status". twitter.com. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "New Music: Ester Dean F/ Nicki Minaj – 'Gimmie Money'". rap-up.com. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ "New Music: Ester Dean – 'Let It Grow (Celebrate The World)'". rap-up.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ David Greenwald (22 February 2012). "Nicki Minaj Guests on Ester Dean's 'Gimme Money': Listen". billboard.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ "Ester Dean & Alexis Jordan". dailymusicjuice.blogspot.com. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
External links
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