For artists and creatives to truly thrive and live out their full potential, one of the most important elements they need is community. Community offers space, support and opportunity for artists to develop their craft and grow alongside a group of likeminded individuals. This is especially true in isolating times like these, where people more than anything, crave genuine, authentic connection. Enter SoundLab.
For the past year, this free event held every third Thursday at Respectable Street in West Palm Beach has become the destination for music producers and artists to convene and collaborate. The unique show structure offers three producers the opportunity to showcase five beats each, the audience selects one and writes to the chosen beat right then and there and performs whatever they are able to cook up in 20 minutes. It’s a fresh take on the open mic format and has generated a steady growing rise in attendance. Curated and hosted by Good Problems Collective, SoundLab has organically grown and become South Florida’s premier producer showcases.
The genesis of SoundLab began when
Good Problems Collective Co-founder and hip-hop producer Matt Kelly returned to South Florida after spending a few years living in Oakland, California. During his time in the Bay Area, Kelly was able to soak up a lot of the independent hustle and community-driven artistry the region has become synonymous with. Having attended events like Beat Boutique, which would inspire the format for SoundLab, Kelly immersed himself in a creative community that allowed him to thrive artistically and eventually release his album “Knights in Tropicana” alongside rapper and Good Problems Co-Founder Cold Medina.
Upon his return to Florida, Matt knew he wanted to recreate some of the communal creative energy he experienced in California. After some long phone calls with Medina and even longer hours in his home studio, Kelly began hosting SoundLab at different venues throughout the Broward and Palm Beach areas, eventually landing on the event’s current home at Respectable Street, which comes as a full circle moment as this is the same venue that hosted the “Knights in Tropicana” album release show in 2022.
Come to any given SoundLab and the experience is one of spontaneity and positive collective energy. While many seasoned rappers and artists make appearances to hone their craft and flex their muscle, newcomers are also encouraged to step up to the mic and drop their own gems. It’s unlike any other event, where no one artist or performer is above the other. The diverse crowd creates a welcoming atmosphere for anyone looking to showcase their talent or just let off steam. SounLab is the community that creatives crave.
Join Good Problems Collective at the next and be part of the movement! The March edition of SoundLab will feature Miami producers JWU Monk and City Official as well as West Palm Beach’s own Evo Nuevo. Good Problems Collective co–founder Cold Medina will serve as the featured artist. Don’t miss out!
