BEATLAB PARTNERS WITH SOUL CANDI INSTITUTE OF MUSIC TO EXPAND AFRICA’S ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCATION
Beatlab members can now access six online and in-person courses from one of South Africa’s most established music institutions at preferential rates, with a media launch event set for September at Artistry in Sandton.
JOHANNESBURG: Beatlab, the digital community platform connecting DJs, producers and music creators across Africa is building the largest multifaceted community platform, and now, through partnering with Soul Candi Institute of Music (SCIM), gives members greater access to professional music education.
As part of the partnership, Beatlab members can now enrol in six SCIM courses at discounted member rates, with three courses available online through Beatlab’s community platform and three delivered in person at SCIM’s Johannesburg studios.
The online offering, available through Beatlab’s online store and hosted through Beatlab’s community platform includes:
- Digital Music Production with Ableton
- Music Business Management
- Music Theory Fundamentals for Electronic Musicians
The in-person offering, also available through Beatlab’s online store but hosted hosted at SCIM studios includes:
- Higher Certificate in Music Technology
- Music Production Fundamentals
- DJ & Live Performance
All six courses are written and taught by Ryan Murgatroyd, a South African producer and SCIM’s lead instructor. The programmes combine practical music education with industry knowledge, drawing on Soul Candi’s more than 25 year history within South Africa’s house music culture and its track record in developing some of the country’s most renowned DJs, producers and music professionals.
For Beatlab, the partnership represents an important expansion of its mission to create meaningful pathways for African music creators to learn, connect, collaborate and access opportunities within the industry.
“I believe Soul Candi, being the original in the development of the South African house music scene, are the perfect partners,” said Cito, Beatlab founding director, musician and producer.
“They share Beatlab’s vision of creating and nurturing Africa’s biggest online music community. With our combined resources, we can scale opportunities for people who want to learn, grow and connect.”
The partnership builds on Beatlab’s vision of creating more than simply a platform for artists to showcase their work. By combining community, education and industry access, Beatlab aims to give emerging and established music creators the tools and connections they need to develop their careers.
MEDIA LAUNCH
The partnership will be officially celebrated at a media launch in September 2026 at Artistry in Sandton.
The event will bring together DJs, producers, artists, media and key industry figures from both the Beatlab and Soul Candi communities, providing an opportunity to experience the partnership and hear more about its ambitions for the future of music education and creator development in Africa.
Further details about the launch will be announced closer to the date.
The partnership marks the first phase of a broader collaboration between Beatlab and Soul Candi, with additional member benefits to be announced in the coming weeks.
ABOUT BEATLAB
Beatlab is a digital community platform dedicated to building Africa’s leading community for DJs, producers and music creators. Founded by Evan Jones, Esté Jones and Cito, Beatlab brings together artists and creators through education, collaboration, innovation, industry opportunities and talent discovery, helping them connect, develop their skills and grow their careers.
ABOUT SOUL CANDI INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
Founded in Johannesburg, Soul Candi Institute of Music has spent nearly two decades preparing students for professional careers in music production, composition and the wider entertainment industry.
SCIM is part of the wider Soul Candi group, which began as a record store in 2001 and has grown into one of South Africa’s most recognisable house music brands. Through its education programmes, SCIM has helped develop some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists, DJs, producers and music professionals.
