“When Not Like Us comes on, we all swarm the field, and everybody goes into shapes. So, I was an X,” said Montreal Dukes.
FORT WORTH, Texas — An audition video of Fort Worth native Montreal Dukes dancing to his favorite Kendrick Lamar song helped him land a spot on the world’s biggest sports stage — Super Bowl LIX.
Kendrick Lamar recruited students from Dillard University in New Orleans for the performance during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
“My favorite Kendrick Lamar song is Swimming Pools, since I was a kid,” Montreal Dukes said.
After graduating from Fossil Ridge High School in Keller, Montreal landed nearly a dozen college acceptance letters thanks to The Prep Factory. It’s a Fort Worth-based college entry program helped Montreal become a stand-out to multiple colleges and universities.
Montreal’s mother says as a kid he has always stood out.
“He was the type of kid that dances to the beat of his own drum. He is the type of kid that is outgoing. He’s loving, and he does not take no for an answer,” Edwina West-Dukes said.
As any mother would, she asked questions and lots of them. But for weeks, his role on the field during the halftime show and off-site rehearsals could not be disclosed. The participants couldn’t keep their cell phones during the rehearsals, which lasted in some cases 8 hours. They were even asked not to share information with their families.
“He went on to say that he had signed a non-disclosure agreement, so all the details were secret. I knew that he was going to practice three to four times a week, but I did not know where and when,” Edwina West-Dukes said.
Even Montreal’s grandmother, affectionately known as Meme, asked Montreal if she could share, what he would be doing in the halftime show. But Montreal managed to convince Meme to keep it a secret, at least until Super Bowl Sunday.
Montreal was selected along with dozens of other Dillard University students. All of them received specific assignments and practiced them for weeks before the big day.
“When Not Like Us comes on, we all swarm the field, and everybody goes into shapes. So, I was an X,” Montreal said.
Montreal couldn’t say beforehand, but their highly anticipated performance with Kendrick Lamar would be historic and packed with symbolism.
“The symbolism overall from the Kendrick Show is just letting African Americans truly be who they are,” Montreal said.
“We were excited, glued to the television. I did begin to send text messages out right before the halftime show to tell the family Tre was performing. He’ll be making an appearance. We’ll be seeing it in real-time with you all,” Edwina West-Dukes said, “I think as a mother, my heart was full because my son was a part of the story that is now going down in history.”
History made with a list of celebrities who a kid from Fort Worth got to share the stage during the biggest and most watched football game in the world.
“A lot of people have asked me about my experience and, I can’t really explain it,” Montreal said, “At the rehearsals, Samuel Jackson is walking past me, Serena Williams is walking past me, Kendrick Lamar is walking past me.”
