Monmouth University’s student-run record label Blue Hawk Records is producing its 21st compilation album, which features only female artists for the first time ever.
Over the course of the academic year, University students and affiliates work with Blue Hawk Records to produce two compilation albums that often feature music from several genres. This semester, the label is producing its 21st compilation album.
This group of femme fatales was chosen through an audition process based on songs they wrote to be featured on the album. Even though the inclusion of only women on this album was an unintentional feature, it is something that the label plans on taking advantage of and it will be incorporated into the theme of the album, which is set to be revealed at a later date.
The artists featured on this semester’s album are Gigi Abinader, Asia Jones, Elena Worton, Ruaa Khalifa, Olivia Melfi, and Anna Dioguardi.
Abinader, a senior music industry student, sings and plays guitar. Her songs, “October” and “Wild Card, can be streamed on all music platforms.
Jones, a junior music industry student, is an R&B singer and songwriter who also plays piano. She has written over 25 songs independent of Blue Hawk Records and loves to perform, write and collaborate with other creators.
Worton is only a sophomore, but she is not new to working with Blue Hawk Records. Her previous song “Fairy Tales” was featured on Blue Hawk Records’ 20th compilation album. Worton is a multi-instrumentalist who loves to sing and write. She was also the host of Blue Hawk Talk, Blue Hawk Records’ late-night talk show last year, and currently has her own show on WMCX called “E Squared.”
Khalifa, a sophomore music industry student, is an R&B-funk independent artist who sings, writes, and produces music. She is also involved as an A&R person for the current album, helping to manage another artist on the record.
Melfi, another sophomore music industry student, specializes in pop, pop-rock, and R&B. Her debut song “All This, All That” was featured on Blue Hawk Records’ 19th compilation album “Back On Track.” Even though Melfi only released her first song a year ago, she has been writing since she was 12 years old and plans to continue to write in the future.
Dioguardi, the final artist to be featured on this semester’s compilation album, is a singer and a songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. She specializes in multiple genres, and this will be her first time working with Blue Hawk Records.
The album contains a variety of genres such as pop, R&B, hip hop, rock, and contemporary. Despite the different music produced by each artist, they have expressed that they all share the same passion for their music and for the fun that comes along with recording an album.
Like previous albums, the 21st compilation album will also be recorded at Lakehouse Studios in Asbury Park with the help of outside musicians, Max Adolf and Conner Hanson, both who have worked on previous albums with Blue Hawk.
This year, there were 22 applicants for the album. Although only six were chosen to be featured, the label is confident in their choices and is excited to release the upcoming songs that will be featured on it.
There will also be an album release event at the end of the semester after the album has been released. The featured artists will perform and also be featured on Blue Hawk Talk, Blue Hawk Records’ radio show that premieres on WMCX 89.9 every Wednesday from 10 p.m. to midnight.
