Biography
Born in South Africa, Nikki Williams settled in Nashville at seven and stayed behind when her parents split and her father headed home. The transition proved difficult, yet she held on to ambitions of a songwriting and performing career even though country represented just one style among many that captured her interest. During high school she stood out as the most punk-styled teenager in a city defined by country music, but her black leather boots did not prevent Sony ATV from offering her a publishing contract in her junior year. She supplied the song “Like My Mother Does” for Kristy Lee Cook’s first album in 2008, then placed “Fly Again” on the 2010 soundtrack Country Strong: More Music from the Motion Picture. Although American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina later issued “Like My Mother Does” as a single in 2011, Williams had already left country behind by moving to Los Angeles and teaming with Sia and production duo Stargate on the breakup track “Kill F**k Marry.” The pop-rock number was succeeded in 2012 by the dance single “Glowing,” which received remixes from Fedde Le Grand, Danny Verde, and Cazzette.
Singles
