On December 31st, 2024 three Dillard University students released their self-produced soundtrack, 3 Headed Monster.

Montreal Dukes, Quincy Williams, and Rian Lowens made this soundtrack to encapsulate their lives at Dillard University and express their common experiences with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dukes hopes listeners relate to their youthful ambition, carefree fun, and unique struggles and triumphs. 

They became friends with one another naturally going through their daily lives at Dillard; in class or through friends. The three find that their process for making music is the same, naturally recording each track at different times throughout their three semesters at school. 

“It’s just organic,” said Dukes, whose artist’s name is TreTakeFlight. “When we make music, it’s not forced,” he continued.

The three each bring a different energy to their music; while Dukes brings the energy, Williams brings a chill vibe and Lowens is the stamp of approval. All three motivate one another to get the work done to reach their goals. They also bring a different sound to the project while also exploring unique sounds to make their music stand out from other rap EPs.

“I wouldn’t say like I try to sound like somebody. What I try to do is steer away from the usual Louisiana rap,” said Lowens, who goes by yHmrian. Dukes is from Fort Worth, Texas, and is inspired by artists from the area while Williams, who goes by Qtheplayer, was in band before becoming a solo artist, allowing him to be more musically inclined.

“The whole point of 3 Headed Monster was to show like everybody can have their own sound but we can still come together as one and make it sound good,” said Lowens.

“Our common ground is not music,” said Williams “It’s bigger than music”, he continued. This EP is a testimony of their friendship and how music brings them together but is only a piece of their dynamic.