Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman should be as mononymous as any of the more popular vocalists who have followed in her path, from Anita Baker to Toni Braxton. An exemplar of sophistication, glamour, and versatility, she excelled as a featured artist and duettist as much as she did as a headliner. In support of Norman Connors and as a duet partner for Michael Henderson, Hyman truly emerged in 1976 with collaborations that led to later work beside Pharoah Sanders and McCoy Tyner, among many other artists. On her own, Hyman graced Billboard's R&B chart with eight Top 20 entries as a headlining artist. She put together a streak of seven Top 20 R&B albums that ranges from Somewhere in My Lifetime (1978) to I Refuse to Be Lonely (1995), the latter of which arrived after her death.