Hitmakers Exclusive: 15 Artists Who Have Written Popular Songs—Ne-Yo, Frank Ocean, Keri Hilson And More!

» By Meghan Reid @ml_reid February 20, 2013, 18:49pm

Songwriters

Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN/AP Photo/Evan AgostiniStefan Jeremiah/WENN

Music lovers aren’t always aware that their favorite artists have written hit records for other singers. From Frank Ocean to Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson many known entertainers were great songwriters before they hit the stage. Artists like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Britney Spears have benefited from their talent with hit songs like “Irreplaceable” and “Gimme More”.

Click through to see if you know who wrote what in this slideshow of the best hitmakers.

 

55th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Frank Ocean has written several hits to include “Bigger” (Justin Bieber), “No Church in the Wild” (Jay-Z and Beyoncé) and “I Miss You” (Beyoncé).

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Comments

  • Renee

    Beyonce’s song ‘Halo’ which was written by Ryan Tedder (lead singer of One Republic) from .her new album I Am…Sasha Fierce was originally intended forLeona Lewis. Ryan was impatiently waiting for Leona to record the track and decided to give it to Beyonce.

    “Simon was desperate to get Ryan to write for Leona and the pair effectively agreed Halo would be hers. But Leona was to busy to record it and Ryan got fed up and took it to Beyonce. Cowell was said to be shocked by the news that Beyonce had recorded the track as he had previously agreed with Tedder that the song would be recorded by Leona

    She does not write her own material, at most she “collaborates”.

    Didn’t know Prince wrote Manic Monday . Loves that song when I was kid!

  • oh ok

    Thank for clearing that up , beyonce didn’t write halo.

  • Tam1257

    Why does everyone think Beyoncé writes her songs she doesn’t.

  • NickiBaby

    You forgot to include The Dream wrote Single Ladies and Ne-yo wrote Irreplaceable

  • Denise

    These people co wrote songs and you only highlighted that with Emeli Sande. The only person i know that “wrote” their songs apart from Prince was R-Kelly. There are less fame hungry people who have writing credits for some of the songs you’ve listed that haven’t been featured

  • Keisha Samoht

    uh guys, b wasnt on no church in the wild unless that was her doin them noises….

  • jasmine

    nothing compares 2 u and when u were mine (check spelling please) were prince’s songs and covered by others.