Hinda Hicks (born 1976) is a British and Tunisian-born singer, actress and artist who first gained notability with her musical career in the late '90s. She is best known for her debut album Hinda, that charted at #20 on the 1998 UK Top 40 Chart, and led to three nominations in the MOBO Awards and nominations for Best British Female Artist and Best British Newcomer at the 1999 Brit Awards. Introduction Hicks was born in Tunisia but was raised in West Sussex, where she soon emerged as "one of the U.K.'s most promising talents". Before her musical career, she had a passion for basketball, which resulted in a coaching qualification, as well as a United States scholarship. However, her sights set on music after her friend overheard her singing along to an Aretha Franklin track, thus encouraging her to sing. Artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone helped to shape the roots of Hicks' musical career, which she later describes in an interview with Ras Kwame as "the balance between my love of hip hop, my love of jazz, my love of soul". She began to sing with an R&B group called the Fabulous Fug Band and, at one time, sent a demo of her own vocals alongside Aretha Franklin's "Something He Can Feel" to Phil Collins. However, she continued to remain unsigned and moved to London, where she worked as a secretary and joined the band Mixed Fruits. Early success Hicks was introduced to On Point Productions, the team comprising Jazz Black (music producer) and Dele Rotimi (music manager), which put her on the radar for multiple record companies. In 1997, she signed a five-album deal with Island Records. However, her first single "I Wanna Be Your Lady" did not make the UK Singles Chart. After performing "high-profile support slots" with Irish boyband Boyzone and English group 911, Hicks' next three singles all reached the Top 40. "If You Want Me" reached #25, "You Think You Own Me" ranked #19, and a re-release of "I Wanna Be Your Lady" topped #14 on the charts. After Hick's debut album Hinda charted at #20, Hick's received 3 nominations at the 1998 MOBO Awards and also nominations for Best British Female and Best British Newcomer at the 1999 Brit Awards. Later in the year, Hicks fourth Top 40 single "Truly" reached #31 on the charts. Second album After the 1999 Brit Awards,