Hinda Hicks

Introduction

Hicks originally sang with an R&B band called the Fabulous Fug Band and at one time sent a demo of her vocals alongside Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" to Phil Collins. However she continued to remain unsigned and moved to London working as a secretary and singing with a band called Mixed Fruits.

She signed to Island Records and her first single, "I Wanna Be Your Lady" was released in late 1997, followed by her first album, eponymously titled Hinda in 1998. Hicks co-wrote the songs on Hinda.

Early success

Hick's first released single failed to make the UK Singles Chart, although a more concerted promotional campaign saw "If You Want Me" chart at number 25 in February 1998. She followed this up with the release of "You Think You Own Me" in May of the same year, which reached number 19. Her fourth single, a re-release of "I Wanna Be Your Lady" achieved her highest chart position to date, at number 14 in August 1998.

During the summer of 1998 Hicks promoted both her single and album on mainstream television and radio shows in the UK and she took supporting roles on tours with Boyzone amongst others. By the end of that year "Truly" had charted at number 31.

Second album

Having begun work on her second album Hicks released "My Remedy", in 2000 but Island Records' merger with Universal Records and an apparent lack of promotion saw it falter at number 61 in the UK chart. Originally the second album was due for a late 2000 release. A handful of promotional copies and limited releases were made available, but commercially the launch was aborted and Hicks and her record company parted ways.

In between record companies and albums, Hicks found time to record vocals on other artists' tracks. This included "Let's Do It Again" with the late Lynden David Hall, which featured on his album, The Other Side and a compilation album (Pure R&B Volume 2) together with Brand New Day with Terri Walker, appearing on Walker's Untitled album.

A new album was finally released in July 2004, now titled Still Doin' My Thing on a small R&B label, Shout Out Records, and containing a different track listing to Everything to Me.

The single "Up Up" from Still Doin' My Thing was released in the summer of 2004 and once again with Hicks failing to repeat her successes of six years previously the single did not make the Top 40.

Third album and the future

In February 2007 Hicks' MySpace page announced that a third album (then untitled) would be released in 2010, however after two years later the album has now been shelved as Hinda has given up on music to focus on other roles. As of November 2008, Hicks was listed as part of a London-based artistic and music collective created by the DJ and producer Yvan Healer Selecta and called Raison d'Etre [sic].

Crticial acclaim

In October 1998 Hicks was nominated for three MOBO awards, Best R'n'B Act, Best Newcomer and Best Album and appeared on a MOBO Allstars charity single called "Aint No Stopping Us Now". In early 1999 Hicks was nominated at the BRIT Awards in the categories of 'best newcomer' and 'best British female artist'

Sports

Film

Singles

Albums

Music videos

Other appearances