Hidden Beach Recordings is a wholly independent record label distributed by Universal Music Group Distribution founded in 1998 by seasoned music industry executive Steve McKeever. Hidden Beach’s audacious introduction to the music industry came in 2000 when it released its inaugural project by poet/spoken word artist turned singer/songwriter Jill Scott called “Who Is Jill Scott: Words and Sounds Vol.1”. That debut release from Hidden Beach was not only certified double platinum, scored the label its first — of what would end up being many — Grammy nominations and other industry awards — including a nomination in the prestigious Best New Artist category for Jill Scott — but has also been critically hailed as one of the best albums released in the 21st Century. The largest independent public poll taken on the subject identified Hidden Beach's debut recording as the #1 Soul/R&B album of the first decade of the century.
Hidden Beach is also known for its series of groundbreaking, trademarked fusion of hip hop and jazz albums called Hidden Beach presents: Unwrapped™ and as the only record label ever to be tapped to create a musical soundtrack for a presidential campaign and subsequent inaugural CD –respectively “ Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” and “Change is Now: Renewing America’s Promise”.
In January of 2014, Hidden Beach began the process of expanding its mission and has created Hidden Beach Experiences, a multi-media and multi-pronged entertainment company dedicated to delivering positive, high quality, jaw dropping, soul-infused and passionate entertainment experiences. From cruise ships to comic books, from branded tours to celebrating the legacy, history and importance of soul culture and icons, Hidden Beach Experiences will fill a void for the “orphaned consumer.”