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 together with Brand New Day with Terri Walker, appearing on Walker's Untitled album, released 3 March 2003 on the Mercury Records label. 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.
In February 2007 Hicks' MySpace page announced that a third album 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.
Critical 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'
Other interests
Sports
According to various fan sites and her official website Hicks was once offered a basketball scholarship in the US and is a qualified coach.
Film
Hicks has also appeared in two British film productions: in 1999 and Circus in 2000.
She also took an uncredited role in a well-received US filmLove & Basketball in 2000 and wrote the song "Our Destiny" that appeared in the movie but was not featured on the soundtrack. The track did however feature on the Everything to Me album, which was not released in the UK.
Discography
Singles
"I Wanna Be Your Lady" / My Eyes
"If You Want Me" / "When You Touch Me There" – UK No. 25
"You Think You Own Me" – UK No. 19
"I Wanna Be Your Lady" – UK No. 14
"Truly" – UK No. 31
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" single with the MOBO Allstars – UK No. 47
"Let's Do It Again" single with Lynden David Hall, – UK No. 69
"If You Want Me" on the album, Street Jams 1998, by various artists
"If You Want Me" on the album, Music in Motion II, by various artists
"Tears Are Waiting", "Where is the Love?", "Please Can I Go Now?", "Who Would You Have Me Love?" and "Succumb To You", all on the album G:MT: The Soundtrack,
"Burn the Floor" on the album, Burn the Floor: Soundtrack, by various artists
"My Remedy" on the album, MOBO 2000, by various artists
"Let's Do It Again" on the album, Pure R&B Volume 2, by various artists
"Let's Do It Again" on the album, Other Side, by Lynden David Hall
"If You Want Me" on the album, Girls, by various artists
"I Just Wanna Dance", vocals on the 12" white label version by Global Rhythm
"Brand New Day" on the album, Untitled', by Terri Walker
"Dreamin'" on the album, Dance and Urban, by various artists
"Family Affair" on the album, Revival, by Nate James