Ester Dean

Esther Renay Dean (born April 15, 1982), known professionally as Ester Dean, is an American R&B singer and songwriter. She has written songs for many artists, with numerous Top 10 hits, including No. 1 hits for Rihanna and Katy Perry, earning the name "The Song Factory". At the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, Dean was nominated for Album of the Year as a producer on Rihanna's album Loud. Outside of music, she voiced two of the characters in the fourth film in the Ice Age franchise, Ice Age: Continental Drift, and also wrote a song for the movie, titled "We Are (Family)". Dean made her acting debut in the film Pitch Perfect (2012) as Cynthia-Rose Adams, a role she reprised for the sequels, Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017). Life and career Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ester Dean is the youngest of five children brought up by their single mother Hester, in a low-income household. At a young age, Dean learned how to channel her emotions into her music; creative writing served as Dean's self-therapy. At the age of 15, her mother moved Dean and her sister Deandria to Omaha, Nebraska. Leaving her older siblings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the separation made Dean again dig deeper for a connection, drawing her closer to the music and the music industry. Singing in every studio and writing for local Omaha rappers and producers, Dean unknowingly embedded herself in the industry grassroots. Learning the ins and outs of talent and creativity, at 20 years old Dean made a bold move, packed her bags and left Omaha with only US$500 to her name. She drove 18 hours alone to Atlanta, Georgia, to crack the music industry. She sang for anyone who would listen. While at a Gap Band concert, music producer Christopher "Tricky" Stewart overheard Dean singing in the crowd along with the band. He immediately asked to set up a meeting. While going through her catalog of songs, Stewart was impressed not only by her voice but also her songwriting ability. He signed her to a small publishing deal that allowed Dean to grow and connect with other known writers and producers. This opportunity provided Dean with the tools, tricks, and skills to writing potential hit songs. Although her time with Stewart was a significant point in her career, Dean eventually parted ways and relocated to Los Angeles. Upon relocation, Dean began to build a name in the songwriting world.