Meet Nikki
Nikki Allen (neé Lickstein) is a passionate songwriter dedicated to creating heartfelt melodies that resonate with audiences. With a unique blend of genres, her music inspires listeners and evokes deep emotions.
Allen, 24, is best known for her sincere and fearless approach to music. Nikki’s lyrics- paired with bright, infectious melodies- are sweet, yet purposeful, and serve as a true testament to her fierce individuality.
The Nashville-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, considers the guitar her third arm, having played since the age of 5, and writing songs her second language. Allen’s work includes notable cuts from American Idol’s Christiana Alaire’s “Lucky One”, James Deborde’s “Gave You Warning”, Serena Laurel’s “Heaven Let the Lights Go Down”, Maddie Mae’s “Go Fish” and “Divorced First”, Cody Q’s “Use Me”, and McKenna’s “What I Need”.
Discovered at age 15 by NSAI’s Executive Director, Bart Herbison, Nikki has since been mentored by many of Nashville’s greatest songwriters, including Phil Galdston (Vanessa Williams, Celine Dion, Beyonce, Esperanza Spaulding), Lance Carpenter (Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It”), and GRAMMY Award-winner and publisher, Liz Rose, best known for co-writing Taylor Swift’s “Teardrops on My Guitar” and “You Belong With Me,” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” and Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl.”
After participating in summer programs over her adolescent years at Berklee College of Music, Curtis Conservatory, NYU Steinhart, and Julliard Jazz, Nikki graduated her high school of the arts in south Florida and started studying at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Shortly after, her heart kept pulling her to Nashville, and at 18, she transferred to Belmont University’s Curb College to further study songwriting and music business and make the move.
Since moving to Nashville, Nikki was awarded with both the Ben Vaughn and Brad Paisley scholarships before earning her undergraduate degree. Allen has hosted her own writer's rounds at The Listening Room Cafe, played originals at The Bluebird Cafe and Live Oak, and has been showcased at WIRK’s Rib Roundup Country Music Festival (alongside Jake Owen, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, and The Cadillac Three) and the BandsAndBrews Craft Beer & Music Festival (sharing a stage with Ashley McBryde and Emily Brooke).
Nikki singing “You Belong With Me”live at the Key West Songwriter’s Festival with Country Singer Alyssa Micaela, #1 Hit Songwriter Emily Shackelton, and Grammy award winner/co-writer of Taylor Swift herself, Liz Rose.
Receiving a plethora of accolades for her writing, Nikki has been recognized as NSAI EARS One to Watch four times (July 2023, January 2024, March 2024, May 2024), becoming a Finalist in the 25th Great American Song Contest, and reaching Runner Up in the 24th Annual NSAI Song Contest presented by the Bluebird Cafe and CMT. She has been in NSAI’s Top 40 in Honor of Bob Kingsley Playlist multiple times, (most recently January 2025’s newest instillation) and in 2023, she was International Songwriting Competition semi-finalist for her original music and lyrics. Nikki Allen has participated in several successful pitch to publisher events with heads of A&R and VP of Creatives at companies like Edge Hill publishing and Reservoir. She has been chosen as one of the “Recommended” Songs Considered for Pub Luncheon, was a Top 8 Finalist Grammy U Virtual Songwriter Showcase in 2020, and received a nomination for an American Songwriters Award as a teenager.
These days you can find her playing around town in while she continues to chase her dream of being a professional songwriter. Allen is proud to be represented by Lucky Money Writer Management and is always looking for new artists, songwriters, producers, and collaborators to work with, so please reach out!