Songwriters have mixed results when taking stage
MADE THE TRANSITION WELL: Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. "She kind of set the standard on this whole trend," Atlanta rapper-actor Ludacris says. Elliott and producer collaborator Timbaland had a catalog of hits with Ginuwine, SWV, the late Aaliyah and others before she was finally persuaded to step into the spotlight. "And she really, really didn't want to do it. ... I don't think she thought she would fit in. And instead, she broke the mold." Chris Polk / AP
