On Jan. 24, Campbellsville University sophomore Natalie Williams released her debut single, “Better Than Mine,” under the artist name Natalie Renee. Williams’ first song brings a unique spin to the Christian genre and fulfills her lifelong journey as a songwriter.
Williams love for music has been evident since she was a little girl.
“I gave my life to Jesus when I was six, and I noticed around the same time I started writing songs,” said Williams. “It was always a part of me and then it just exploded in high school. I just fell in deeper love with music.”
As that love for music blossomed, there were times that Williams got in her own head, doubting her abilities.
“There’s always people who are gonna be better than you and as a younger artist, that was detrimental to me because I thought I had to be the best,” Williams said. “And then I realized, you can’t be the best, so how about just be the best you?”
Williams said her target audience is high schoolers who are trying to figure out their life and need to know that God has a plan for them. Despite these young people being her focus, Williams’ music appeals to listeners of all ages.
“I think it’s a message that applies to a lot of people so it’s kind of cool to see that a lot of universal ages are connecting with the song,” she said.
In explaining the songwriting process for “Better Than Mine,” Williams said that it was written as a culmination of experiences that she had gone through. The song blends a folksy style of music with Williams’ love for the writing styles found in pop and hip-hop. The blending of styles comes from the wide variety of music Williams listened to growing up.
“I’m talking all the way from classic rock to oldies,” she said, “all the way to the brand-new pop songs and I think that really gave me some range of understanding where I wanted to go musically as an artist.”
The reception to her song has been overwhelmingly positive, having more than 10,000 listens on Spotify and 38,000 views for the lyric video on YouTube.
“It’s been incredible just to watch and be like, ‘Oh my word, people are actually listening to me,’” said Williams.
Luke Williams, Natalie’s younger brother, said that he felt the neatest thing about her song coming out was how many people have been touched by her debut single.
“I’d say the coolest part about her song finally coming out has to be how the music I’ve heard her singing my whole life has affected so many other people, too,” he said.
Olivia Moore, a fellow member of the CU Worship Team, said she was really proud of Williams for following her dream.
“It’s just been really cool to see her passion become a reality,” she said.
Williams would like for enough people to listen to her music to where she can be an artist full-time, but that isn’t her primary focus.
“The first goal is to reach people,” she said. “I feel like I have a message to share, and I want people to listen to my heart.”
