18 Jul Celebrating 25 Years of Timeless Music: Jill Scott, Brenda Russell, and the Legacy of Hidden Beach
#HiddenBeach25 On July 18, 2000, the world was introduced to something unforgettable — the beginning of a movement rooted in soul, emotion, and authenticity. That day marked the release of not one, but two landmark albums from Hidden Beach Recordings: Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 by Jill Scott and Paris Rain by Brenda Russell. Today, we proudly celebrate 25 years since those first two releases — the moment Hidden Beach officially stepped into the world as a record label, and the moment we made it known that music with heart, depth, and purpose would always have a home here.
It was Jill Scott’s debut, and Brenda Russell’s return. Jill, a fresh new voice from Philly who had already penned You Got Me for The Roots, opened the door to a new era of neo-soul and storytelling that touched millions. Who Is Jill Scott? was more than an album — it was a cultural reset. With tracks like He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat) and Gettin’ In the Way, she carved out a lane entirely her own, and the world followed.
Brenda Russell’s Paris Rain, her second studio album, was a lush, joyful, jazz-infused journey — filled with wisdom, experience, and elegance. One of its standout tracks, A Walk In New York, was set to become a visual centerpiece for the project. A music video was in the works that was going to celebrate the magic of New York City, with imagery that featured the iconic Twin Towers. The meeting to finalize that video was scheduled for September 12, 2001. But as we all know, the world changed forever the day before.
The tragedy of 9/11 impacted everyone, and in the case of Paris Rain, it became understandably difficult to promote an album built around joy when the world was mourning such a great loss. And yet, the music has endured. For 25 years, both albums have continued to resonate — proof that great art lives on, even through unimaginable times.
Back then, there was no streaming. Fans had to go out and buy CDs. Word-of-mouth and live performances were everything. Jill Scott was not a household name — yet. Brenda Russell was returning to the spotlight with a body of work that deserved far more attention than the times allowed. But both artists had something powerful on their side: goosebumps.
As our founder Steve McKeever once said, the test for any record we put out was simple: “Does it give me goosebumps?” And both of these women — with their poetic pens, powerhouse vocals, and raw emotional honesty — passed that test without question. Twenty-five years later, these albums still give us goosebumps. They remind us that timeless music never fades. That even in an ever-changing industry — from vinyl to CDs to downloads to streams — great music endures. It evolves with us, comforts us, inspires us, and reminds us of who we were and who we can be.
Dear Music Lover with discriminating taste, YOU’VE FOUND YOUR TRIBE.
So today, as we celebrate #HiddenBeach25, we honor Jill Scott. We honor Brenda Russell. We honor the songs that made you stop and feel something. And we honor every soul who took a chance on an independent Black-owned label determined to create space for powerful music with purpose. This celebration isn’t just about looking back — it’s about carrying this legacy forward. We encourage you to join us in the celebration by revisiting these two classic albums in their entirety — yes, from front to back. In an age of playlists and shuffled singles, take the time to experience the full journey these artists crafted. Then, share the love:
Choose your favorite track from each album and make a post using the hashtag #HiddenBeach25
Share it with a friend. Let them feel what you felt. Let the music live on. And for more stories behind these groundbreaking releases, visit our YouTube channel, where our founder Steve McKeever shares exclusive insights and reflections you won’t hear anywhere else. Be sure to subscribe and check out the videos that dig into the heart of these 25-year journeys.
Here’s to the goosebumps.
Here’s to the timeless.
Here’s to 25 years of Hidden Beach Recordings.
#HiddenBeach25