Trading Places: Songwriters Turned Singers

Check Ester Dean on 106 & Park tonight at 6P/5C!

Drop It Low - Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland, Katy Perry, Usher, Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj and Teyana Taylor all have one thing in common and her name is Ester Dean. Whether she's penning a song or in the booth creating a hit, Ester Dean is an artist to pay attention to.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Drop It Low - Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland, Katy Perry, Usher, Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj and Teyana Taylor all have one thing in common and her name is Ester Dean. Whether she's penning a song or in the booth creating a hit, Ester Dean is an artist to pay attention to. Now, after penning and singing some great music for the animated film, Rio, Ester is taking on the big screen as part of the cast of Pitch Perfect. See how she flexes her vocal skills and what her experience was on set tonight on 106 & Park at 6P/5C!(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

Bad Boy and Beyond - She rose to fame on Diddy's, Making the Band, but she's been a busy bee behind the scenes at work with a pen in her hand and hits on her mind for Danity Kane, Diddy-Dirty Money and Cassie. Work it girl! (Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

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Bad Boy and Beyond - She rose to fame on Diddy's, Making the Band, but she's been a busy bee behind the scenes at work with a pen in her hand and hits on her mind for Danity Kane, Diddy-Dirty Money and Cassie. Work it girl! (Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

In the Spotlight - Recording artist Ne-Yo lights up the stage during halftime. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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The Musical Matrix - Before he was the singer that we've all grown to know and love, Ne-Yo wrote "Let Me Love You" for Mario and hits for Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild and Marques Houston.(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

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The American Dream - It's not easy scoring a record deal and before some artists got signed, they were successful songwriters.The-Dream was a successful songwriter that penned songs for B2K, Usher and Rihanna before scoring a record deal himself. (Photo: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup)

Keri Hilson - @KeriHilson: Pleeeaaaase say this news about Whitney Houston all over my timeline is not true. A very sick joke? I can't take it. Please! (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Ms. Keri Baby - She's the perfect combination of talent and beauty and before turning out hits of her own, she wrote for platinum-selling artists like Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

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Miguel (@MiguelUnlimited) - TWEET: "DOWNLOAD: ART DEALER CHIC Vol. 2 ARTDEALERCHIC.com…. VIDEO: Arch & Point ft. @GalenHooks" Miguel releases the second installment of Art Dealer Chic, a three part EP series and a performance video for the song "Arch and Point." (Photo: Elevation/CFI/Picturegroup)

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His Love Adorns Us - Miguel is one of today's most talented, eccentric and forward-thinking artists, but before he got his career off of the ground, he wrote for Usher's album Raymond v. Raymond and the hit song "Finding My Way Back" for Jaheim.(Photo: Elevation/CFI/Picturegroup)

Tank - The R&B singer's father was enlisted in the Air Force.(Photo: AdrianSidney/PictureGroup)

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Tank - Before breaking out as a solo star, Tank was a back-up singer for Ginuwine. Now, with five successful albums under his belt and a bunch of songwriting credits including songs for Marques Houston, Omarion, Chris Brown, and Monica (to name a few), Tank is ready to take R&B over!Don't miss Tank's new joint tonight featuring T.I. and Kris Stephens, "Compliments"!(Photo: AdrianSidney/PictureGroup)

She's a Beast With the Pen - Ke$ha became one of pop music's nitty gritty stars last year, but she had already created hits like Flo Rida's "Right Round" before showing us all that she's an "animal."(Photo: Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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She's a Beast With the Pen - Ke$ha became one of pop music's nitty gritty stars last year, but she had already created hits like Flo Rida's "Right Round" before showing us all that she's an "animal."(Photo: Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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He Swims Good - Frank Ocean is modest and a lyrical genius that marches to the beat of his own drum. He could have retired after writing hits for Beyoncé, John Legend and the Throne, but now is his time to be front and center!(Photo: Courtesy Island Def Jam Recordings)

Christina Milian - Following her bit part in The Wood, Milian had a moderately successful music career. She's continued acting, garnering juicier roles in Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003) and Be Cool (2005). She released her third studio album, So Amazin', in 2006 to low sales, and has not released another LP since. She did venture into film again in 2013, starring in the romantic comedy Baggage Claim. In 2009, she married music producer The-Dream and had a daughter. The couple divorced in 2011. Most recently, she ventured into reality TV, competing on Dancing With the Stars in 2013 and her own reality series Christina Milian: Turned Up in 2015. She is now set to star in the upcoming series Grandfathered later this year.(Photo: Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup)

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Worth a Milian Bucks - She acts and she sings, but she also writes. Christina Milian may have garnered a lot of attention from hits like "Dip It Low" and "AM to PM," but before the hype she helped J. Lo out with her hit single "Play"!(Photo: Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup)

Bruno Mars - A$AP Rocky and Rita Ora may be style soulmates, but musically, we think Bruno Mars — whose mix of pop, hip hop and more reminds us of Rita’s own genre-bending music — is her Mr. Right. (Photo: Underwood/PictureGroup)

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Nothin' on Him - Everyone loves Bruno Mars because he's cute, has amazing style and puts on a show like no other. He also co-wrote "Right Round" with Ke$ha, and wrote and was featured on B.O.B.'s "Nothin' on You" and Travie McCoy's hit "Billionaire." Get used to him because Bruno is here to stay! (Photo: Michael Underwood/PictureGroup)