Growing up in Nashville with thoughts of becoming a singer/songwriter, it sure seemed like Nikki Williams was in the right place, although not when country music was just one of the many genres she was interested in. Born in South Africa but a Nashville girl since the age of seven, Williams remained in the States even after her parents divorced and her father returned to their homeland, and it wasn't easy. Teenage rebellion meant she was the most punk-looking girl in the home of country music, but even with the boots being black leather instead of cowboy brown, she signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV during her junior year of high school. In 2008, she co-wrote the song "Like My Mother Does" for Kristy Lee Cook's debut album, and then in 2010 her song "Fly Again" would land on the soundtrack album Country Strong: More Music from the Motion Picture. In 2011, "Like My Mother Does" was released as a single by American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina, but Williams had already moved on from country music, relocating to Los Angeles and partnering with Sia and the production team Stargate for the breakup number "Kill F**k Marry." The pop/rock track was followed in 2012 by the club-oriented single "Glowing," which was remixed by Fedde Le Grand, Danny Verde, and Cazzette. ~ David Jeffries