The Starting Five Diva Debate: Jill Scott vs. Phyllis Hyman
The Starting Five Diva Debate returns with a musical flair to it. Our two divas this week are beloved by fans around the world but their biggest fan base may come from their hometown of Philadelphia.
Jill Scott and Phyllis Hyman are right up there with some of the greatest female vocalists ever. This week we allow TSF readers to debate and even reminisce on the talents of these two extraordinary women.
In less than a decade Jill Scott went from an aspiring teacher to the current voice of the neo-soul movement. Scott, a native of North Philadelphia mixes the simplicities of everyday life with the complexities concerning matters of the heart. Jill’s first album ‘Who Is Jill Scott: Words and Sounds Volume I‘ remains in heavy rotation in the Ipod of yours truly. Scott goes from fantasizing about a late night rendezvous to get her through the day to homegirl removing her earrings and “gettin’ some vaseline” to straighten out a situation.
Even after four albums – Scott maintains that same edge while displaying the maturity of an artist who know exactly where she’s going. Her current duet with Anthony Hamilton ‘So In Love’ off of her fourth album ‘The Light of The Sun’ has enjoyed great success.
Scott would collaborate with heavy hitters in the Hip-Hop industry such as Common and The Roots. She remains active in her poetry and spoken word which was used in collaboration with George Benson and Al Jarreau’s ‘God Bless The Child’. Scott began pursuing a career in acting in 2000 and it has paid off handsomely. Scott’s big break came in 2007 when she was one of the focal characters in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married’ , in 2008 she was given the lead role in the HBO series The No.1 Women’s Detective Agency. In 2010, Scott returned for her role as Sheila in ‘Why Did I Get Married Too’.
No artist gave us a glimpse into their soul more than the late, great Phyllis Hyman. Born in Philadelphia, Pa, Hyman grew up in Pittsburgh. After stints with smaller groups Hyman caught her first break in 1974 when she appeared in the film Lenny. In 1976 she teamed up with Norm Conners on his album You Are My Starship, they were successful with the remake of The Stylistics’ ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’.
In the late 1970′s Hyman married Larry Alexander the short-lived marriage ended in divorce and also ended their professional acquaintance, this was the first of many heartbreaks for Hyman that played out in her music and personal life. In 1981 Phyllis was awarded a Tony award nomination for best supporting actress in Sophisticated Ladies - a musical tribute to Duke Ellington. Her single, ’Can’t We Fall In Love Again was her first Top 10 hit.
Hyman’s career would be in a state of flux until 1985 when she would sign on with Philadelphia International Records. Under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff she would enjoy her greatest success. Her album ‘Living All Alone’ produced the singles ‘Old Friend’, the title track as well as other singles ‘Screaming At The Moon’ and ‘You Just Don’t Know‘. In between albums, she would perform in Spike Lee’s motion picture ‘School Daze’ Hyman’s last album ‘Prime of My Life’ produced her first Billboard Top 100 hit, ‘Don’t Wanna Change The World’ as well as two more Top 10 singles, ‘Living In Confusion’ and ‘When You Get Right Down To It’.
On June 30, 1995, Hyman tragically took her own life. Even in her passing Phyllis Hyman’s music remains an inspiration to many of her old fans as well as those that missed her prime years.
Phyllis…just because.
Love Jill deep-deep-deep down inside, but Phyllis.
Gonna have to go with Phyllis the pain in her voice was palpable yet beautiful. She had so much more to give. So I guess that gives her an unfair advantage over Jilly.
I would have to go with Phyllis, saw her when I was 16 at a restaurant I was bussing tables at for the summer, she came in and I knew right away who she was – couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I’ve been loving full-figured women ever since. Just a beautiful yet tortured soul.
As for Jill my current girlfriend resembles her. I love the simplicity of Jill’s music. But like you said Temple Phyllis…just because.
If Jill Scott ever releases music worthy of her greatness of her first album I might pick her but I saw “School Daze” in 1988 and her singing “Be One” was heart – wrenching beautiful . Phyliis made music that was always on the edge of heartbreak and her beauty always piecred your soul
Phyllis Hyman always
Dang, I was just thinking about a diva debate like this one. Tough choice but I’ll go with Phyllis but Jill is right there.
Ok, here’s what I was thinking of, a diva debate between Stephanie Mills and Gladys Kight? Both women had great success but are and were criminally underated talents. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of two more underappreciated greats.
I love Jill, I really do….but Phyllis’s voice gives me CHILLS…its breath-takingly beautiful.
mystery is dead for me….yet there comes along someone like Phyllis Hyman and I wonder.
a stunning human being, magnificently female, larger than life and just beautful. beautiful, human as no other human I have seen has been human.
a voice beyond words, used so graciously, so sweetly, so evocative of feelings she certainly experienced.
listening to Hyman often tears me up.
“No One Can Love You More Than I Do”
incredible!
I wish I could have waved a wand or somethng and solved her problems, make her happy…happier that I felt/feel listening to her voice.
I’ll have to sit on the fence even it means I’ll risk splinters…I love both women equally. Phyllis for the classic, got my feet wet in the maze of love classics. And, Jilly, for giving life to nearly every situation and/or emotion I’ve felt as an adult.
Melzie C put it perfectly. I actually cried for a week when I heard Phyllis died. Her tracks mean something dear. You Know How To Love Me? Living All Alone?
Jilly hit me blasted when she dropped Honey Molasses. Now I’m in love with So Gone….
Phyllis is gone. Damn. Sleep well our Queen…
Phyllis’ passing was one of the great tragedies of my life. I wondered for years how a soul that beautiful can be so troubled. After living life and seeing what I’ve seen, I understand now.
Old Friend, Somewhere in My Lifetime and You Know How to Love Me are three of my favorites.
I’m choosing Jill Scott & for me it’s not even a close call; but given the overwhelming love for Hyman on this site, I’ll have to revisit her music & see/hear what I’m missing.
Phylliss Hyman talking about “love” on “Video Soul” with Donnie Simpson – http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=hCvPYiB27aE
as you revist Phyllis, try “In Search Of My Heart”
There’s a scene in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party where a journalist is interviewing Jill Scott just before her performance in the movie. Toward the end of the interview, Jill turns the tables and, with a hint of incredulity, asks,
“Have you ever SEEN me perform?”
Today I’m asking y’all the same question…
I know Ms. Hyman’s presence was magnetic, she was incredibly statuesque, vulnerable, and beautiful. Ms. Scott, however, matches her note for note, and curve for delicious curve. And any of you who have ever seen and heard Ms. Scott sing LIVE will know exactly what I’m talking about.
Ms. Hyman, I love you, baby – but it’s Ms. Jill Scott LIVE all the way.
I’m taking Ms. Hyman for this one because I’ve loved her beautiful eyes, luscious mouth, and breathtaking voice since I was nine years old.
I’ve never really gotten into Jill Scott though I can’t deny her talent or her beauty. I saw her in concert a few years ago at Radio City Music Hall with Chaka Khan and Robin Thicke but her set actually put me to sleep. I’ll try to give her a serious listen and the concert was right before she announced her divorce so she may have been holding back but from that performance I was not impressed.
RES Forever!!
(Those who know, know)
HD -
lol
Yep! I was just listening to How I Do the other day!
Kudos kos for being one of the anointed because I love me some RES. Her voice isn’t as strong as Jill Scott’s but she sings some good songs.
I’m in the same boat a Clarence Gaines. I would say Jill, but I’ll revisit Phyllis in more depth and come back and make an informed choice.
All in all, I wound up having to go with Phylis too, but there’s no wrong answer.