Bringing the Beat Inside: Substantial’s Residency at JTDC
- Elgin Smith
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
On July 2, 2025, internationally acclaimed hip-hop artist and educator Stanley “Substantial” Robinson—joined by members of his band The Son’s Hues—brought a wave of inspiration and creativity to the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) as part of our Stomping Grounds Artist-in-Residency Open Stage program.
This was our second major residency inside JTDC, building on the momentum from last year’s visit by Grammy-winning artist Rhymefest. Substantial’s appearance continued our mission: to offer mentorship, performance opportunities, and creative ownership to youth inside the system. And this time, the impact ran even deeper.
The day was filled with poetry, live music, visual art, and open mic storytelling. Substantial opened with a talk about his journey as an independent artist, followed by his music video Salt and Pepper, which sparked deep conversation about aging, self-image, and media portrayal. Even with a smaller band setup, the energy in the room was undeniable.
But the true power of the day came when the youth stepped forward.
Mr. Robinson (Omega Pod) performed Letter to Myself, a moving reflection on resilience and personal growth. He then introduced his original track Watch Out for the Snakes, smiling wide as his recorded vocals played and his peers celebrated him. Reflecting afterward, Mr. Robinson said:
“The hardest part was just getting up there. But I’m proud I did. That was my first time doing a poem. I think I actually enjoy it.”
Autumn (Wings Pod), a longtime participant in our visual and creative writing programs, followed with Goodbyes—a poem written during a difficult transition.
“I wrote it one day because I was so depressed—my mental health staff was leaving me,” Autumn later shared. “Being here, it's like I always got to say bye.”
They then performed Broken Two, a radio-edited track about love, heartbreak, and identity. The crowd’s response was electric.
Another student reflected:
“It was cool seeing the art on the wall — that made me want to do something, too.”
We were honored to welcome guests from Illinois Humanities, Injustice Watch, The SET Collective, and the Logan Foundation—many of whom personally engaged with the youth.
Margy LaFreniere of Illinois Humanities called the day “a gift,” adding:
“To witness such creativity, joy, and wisdom inside JTDC—profound.”
Charles Preston of Injustice Watch wrote:
“Stomping Grounds is doing tremendous and deeply important work. I felt privileged to hear Autumn’s and Mr. Robinson’s contributions, see the art that young people crafted, and experience Substantial’s powerful performance.”
Lizzy, one of our guest artists, shared this reflection:
“I saw the kids laugh, smile, even get a little shy. They were just kids—pure and eager to be seen, heard, and understood. When we offer safety, presence, and artistic tools, we don’t just spark creativity—we invite healing and hope.”
She was especially moved by a story of a JTDC staff member who had hired a formerly incarcerated youth they once mentored. “A full-circle moment,” Lizzy said—“a reminder of what belief in someone’s potential can lead to.”
AJ Rios, who performed and supported the youth, added:
“I’ve performed in juvenile detention centers before, but this one was by far the most impactful. The way kids are able to participate in different forms of art truly shows how cared for they are.”
And perhaps the most powerful reflection came from Substantial himself:
“It was just a really, really special day. A great opportunity to perform, chat with them, and just feel their energy and see their work and be inspired by it. I can't thank Elgin and the team enough… Me and my band still talk about it a week later—what an amazing experience it was and how inspired we were.”
From live performances and original poetry to visual art showcases and building meaningful connections with mentors and guests, the young people didn’t just show up—they owned the day.
These events aren’t just feel-good moments. They’re sparks. They’re proof of what’s possible when creativity, support, and opportunity intersect behind the walls.
If you’d like to support our next residency, partner on programming, or donate to help keep this work going, please reach out. Your support keeps the beat alive.
With gratitude,The Stomping Grounds Team.
