Sean "The Pen" Garrett
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — "The Pen" might soon be known as "The Star."

Sean Garrett — nicknamed for penning or co-writing a multitude of recent hits (Usher's "Yeah," Destiny's Child's "Lose My Breath" and Chris Brown's "Run It," to name a few) — is finally toying with recording his own material.

"I've been talking to the guy I look up to, the man that gave me the name 'The Pen': Jay-Z," Garrett said. "And Jay is like, 'Do what you do, son!' So everything's good, man. I'm really excited."

Good for him, definitely, but maybe not for his hip-hop and R&B clientele, who might no longer get his best stuff.

"I just did that last week," he said. "I was like, 'Man, I really need to keep this for myself.' So, yeah, I'm workin' on my own stuff, and I'm just really thankful that people are giving me an opportunity."

Still, he's not slowing down his songwriting and producing for other artists. At the moment, he's working with Ciara, Fantasia, Mario, Tyrese, JoJo and newcomer Chenelle, and he's the man behind new singles from Fergie ("London Bridge"), the Pussycat Dolls ("Buttons") and Bobby Valentino ("Wreck") (see "Bobby Valentino Asks Sean Garrett, Rodney Jerkins To Attend Special Occasion").

Garrett's also written some music for Britney Spears' next record (see "Britney Working On 'Crazy-Ass' New Music And Even Rapping") and has six tracks on Beyoncé's upcoming B'Day, including the likely second single "Ring the Alarm."

"I don't have to sell for Beyoncé, but trust me, she's grown a lot," Garrett said. "It's a very big album!"

Garrett's other recent hits include Nelly's "Grillz," Beyoncé's "Check on It," Brown's "Gimme That," Mary J. Blige's "Enough Cryin" and Jamie Foxx's "DJ Play That Love Song."

• Beyoncé
• Usher
• Chris Brown