Hitomi "Penny" Tohyama, born in Okinawa in 1957 and raised partly in California, is a distinguished Japanese singer renowned for her contributions to the city pop and funk genres. Debuting in 1981 with the album "Just Call Me Penny," she released a series of influential records throughout the 1980s, including "Sexy Robot" and "Next Door." Her music seamlessly blends boogie, disco, and funk, reflecting her cosmopolitan upbringing and soulful delivery. Tohyama's work has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with recent compilations like "Tokyo Funk Diva" introducing her timeless sound to new audiences worldwide. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitomi_Tohyama?utm_source=openai))