Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US black) a sarcastic ref. to any black authority-figure.

1971		H.E. Roberts Third Ear n.p.: h.n. n. a black person who speaks with full authority for the whites, sometimes spelled out ‘h.n.i.c.’.
1995		L. Graham Member of the Club 71: They are all variations on a well-known negative stereotype discussed in the black community: the ‘Head Nigger in Charge’ (HNIC).
2000		Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 HNIC Definition: Head Nigga’ In Charge Example: Dats da H.N.I.C.
2004		N. Kelley ‘The Code’ in Brooklyn Noir 190: The reign of the new HNIC, a reign in which authentication meant death.
2011		Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun ‘Top of the World’ 🎵 Guns in the slot when I ride out, and I’m H.N.I.C. from NYC.