“Robbery” Sparks to Inspire Confidence and Belief in Oneself
Available for Pre-Save HERE
(Nashville, Tenn. – March 9, 2021) – Exit 216, the duocomprised of hit songwriter Steven Battey (“One Number Away” by Luke Combs, “Sugar” by Flo Rida, “Buzzin” by Mann) and Cole Burkett, has teamed up with songwriter and artist Nikki Williams on their new single, “Robbery,” due out March 12 (pre-save HERE).
Produced by David Mescone and co-written by Steven Battey, Nikki Williams, and David Mescone, “Robbery” is about carrying the unique and unmistakable style of confidence. Williams, Battey, and Burkett sing of entering and commanding a room and being entirely unapologetic. Make heads turn, let them stare, and don’t be sorry for it. Exit 216 and Williams want to spark inspiration for others to approach life in the same way.
Exit 216 commented about the collaboration, saying, “We came up with the song idea with Nikki in mind. She came up with her verse, and we recorded it the same day. She is a superstar! We wanted to have fun with this song, and we are all very happy with how it turned out!”
Nikki Williams added, “I believe in what Exit 216 is doing, and I think the music speaks for Itself! Country music has always had my heart, and I am excited to work more with these guys in the future. We are all very proud of this song!”
“Robbery” is distributed through OneRPM and is now available for pre-save on all digital streaming services HERE. An official music video for “Robbery” was filmed at The Local in Nashville, Tennessee and will premiere on CMT on March 11, the day before the song’s release.
Exit 216’s journey began in January 2020 when Battey was seeking a duo partner and was introduced to Cole Burkett. Battey had the idea of forming a duo that could incorporate and deliver a natural country soul sound without straying away from what country music listeners gravitate towards. After a few songwriting sessions together, the strength of the music was undeniable. Together, Battey and Burkett formed Exit 216 (a reference to the exit home to Nashville International Airport). Since their formation, the two have been writing and recording music that was set to be released in early 2020, but like so many other artists, due to the spread of COVID-19, release plans were halted. It wasn’t until Battey co-wrote “Brother,” and the two came together to record the track, that they felt compelled to release the new song to enforce positivity, encourage others, and stimulate change.
After having substantial success as a pop songwriter/producer, Steven Battey (born in Savannah, GA) moved from Los Angeles to Nashville in 2014 to pursue a career in country music. With many credits under his belt, including winning a Grammy Award for his contributions on Madonna’s Revolver record, two Grammy nominations for his work on Justin Bieber’s certified Platinum album My World 2.0 and Flo Rida’s Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Sugar,” and most recently, co-writing the #1 Billboard Country hit and 2019 ASCAP Song of the Year, “One Number Away” by Luke Combs,” Battey has proven to be an innovator with undeniable talent and vision.
While Steven was making his way in Music City, Cole Burkett was a high school student residing in Smyrna, Tenn. Burkett had an exceptional, raw musical talent for his age. Still, his sights were set on playing college baseball and continuing his education. The future of these two collaborating would seem highly unlikely. Burkett graduated high school in 2017 and turned down a baseball scholarship to put his energy into songwriting. By the time he was 19, he already had a robust catalog of songs and began to garner the attention that would lead him to work with some of Nashville’s top writers and producers. Burkett started to earn a name for himself for the gift he had, not only as a natural songwriter but as a premier vocalist and player.
For more information, visit WeAreExit216.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Red 3 Music Group artist, Nikki Williams, has proven herself to be one of the most globally diverse songwriters and artists of this decade. Williams moved to the states from South Africa as a teenager (with her family) and was signed to Sony Music Publishing by the age of 18. Three years later, she inked a deal with Universal/ Island/Def Jam Records. Her songwriting credits include Lauren Alaina’s “Like My Mother Does,” Demi Lovato’s platinum-selling “Heart Attack,” Laura Pausini’s “Le Due Finestre” (the latest single off Laura’s Latin Grammy-winning album Fatti Sentire album). She has also co-written “Fly Again” from the Country Strong soundtrack, Nash Overstreet’s “You Don’t Get 2 Do That,” “Brand New Man” and “Magnetic,” L2M’s “Girlz,” with Mo Brown, and Ronnie Milsap’s “Make Up (Feat. Mandy Barnett).”
Her debut single “Kill, Fuck, Marry” was produced by Stargate and co-written by Sia Furler and was released in Nov. of 2012. Her second single, “Glowing,” was released in December of 2012. The song was written by Williams, Arnthor Birgisson, Daniel James, Leah Haywood, Bebe Rexha and Sandy Vee, also produced by Vee. It debuted at No. 48 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart and reached No. 21 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. She was chosen as Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month and featured on NBC’s Today Show,hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, where she performed her song “Glowing.”
Williams continues to write and record and splits her time between LA and Nashville. With a growing catalog, 2021 looks promising for Williams as an artist to watch with no limitations. For more information about Nikki Williams, visit OfficialNikkiWilliams.com and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
