Under the summer sky in downtown Saint Paul, something magical was happening.
At Harriet Island Regional Park, young hip hop performers stepped onstage and gripped the mic, nervous at first, then steady, then unstoppable. In the audience, peers nodded, mentors leaned in, and the crowd heard powerful stories told in a new way, by new voices. Stories about grief, survival, and dreaming of a better future filled the air. This was the finale concert of this summer’s Saint Paul Get Down, and for the young performers, the night carried even greater weight. The headliner was acclaimed hip hop artist Brother Ali, and sharing the stage with him was more than a performance. It was a declaration that these young artists had arrived.
Confidence on the Mic
The Get Down began two years ago with a simple idea: give youth a stage and the mentors to help them own it. Today, that spark has grown into a launchpad for young voices, offering performances, workshops, recording sessions, radio interviews, and more. It’s a year-round space where teens and young adults can test their voices, sharpen their skills, and prove to themselves that their ideas matter.
That kind of transformation does not happen by accident, and COMPAS has been honored to help make it possible. “COMPAS has been instrumental in the elevation, growth, and success of the Get Down these past two years,” says Mario Stokes, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation’s Community Recreation Director and Get Down organizer.
This summer, the program’s young artists were guided by Terrell X, COMPAS Teaching Artist and renowned human beat boxer, emcee, producer, performer, and educator. He served as a mentor, offering feedback on everything from word choice to stage presence. Along the way, the young artists gained confidence, built community, and found belonging in a circle of peers who were also learning to turn lived experience into art.
As Terrell sees it, his role was to amplify rather than reshape the artists. “I didn’t want youth to feel like I was bombarding them with old man best wisdom,” he says. He met them where they were at, offering advice about how to develop their abilities into something sustainable.
That approach produced electric moments. He remembers a young artist who initially seemed timid. By her second performance, something cracked open. “I just saw her literally come out of a shell right there. It was like Dr. Bruce Banner turning into the Hulk.”
Stepping Into the Spotlight
For 18-year-old hip hop artist Gabrielle Ruffin, the Get Down, and working with Terrell was the difference between dreaming and doing. She joined after her first performance at the Twin Cities Pride Festival and quickly found herself opening for Brother Ali at the Harriet Island Get Down concert.
“I grew as an artist, and I gained skills in performing in front of people and kind of getting over that fear,” she says. Working with Terrell pushed her further: “He taught me about engaging with the crowd, about not being afraid to shine.” She still remembers the thrill of the crowd at Harriet Island: “Performing in front of all those people felt kind of surreal because I felt like I was at my highest in that moment. Just seeing everybody tuned in and actually listening to me while I’m performing was amazing.”
A Civic Priority
Among the audience members at the Harriet Island concert was Saint Paul City Council Member Anika Bowie, who stood in the crowd and saw young people stepping into their power. “It takes a lot of confidence to get on stage and rock a crowd and even tell your story and share your art,” she commented. “Artistry is a very vulnerable place to be.”
What she witnessed was connection being built note by note. “The young people had built a community. They trusted each other. They found positive and creative outlets. I saw relationships built, and I also saw a respect for all the elements of performance arts.”
For her, the Get Down is civic infrastructure. “Our social and emotional care of young people should exist beyond our libraries and rec centers. Giving young people a platform or a literal stage, this is how we heal each other.”
This Show Must (and Will!) Go On
If there’s one thing everyone involved with the Get Down agrees on, especially the young artists, it’s that the program must continue. Fortunately, the Get Down isn’t slowing down. Mario and his team of collaborators, including COMPAS, are hard at work planning a day-long festival and more seasonal showcases.
“As long as we are able, we will continue to grow this program to shine a light on the bright artists Saint Paul has,” Mario says. “We will continue to showcase talent and provide skills, techniques, and support to all youth artists willing to put in the work.”
That’s wonderful news, because the Get Down began as a stage for young talent, and it has grown into a sanctuary, a training ground, and a launchpad where, every time an aspiring artist grabs the mic and shares their story, you can hear the future of Saint Paul finding its voice.
For Terrell, the reason to keep showing up is simple. “This is changing people’s lives. Literally changing. Artistic self-expression changes worlds. It changes people.”
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