"Keys Of Hope" produced by Michael S. McClafferty Introducing Meka Arpége and featuring Barshaun Recorded at Capricorn Studios in San Diego, Ca. "This Is Not About Me, This Is All About You." was how it all started when producer/composer Michael S. McClafferty wrote down the first line of the last verse of "Keys Of Hope". The challenge was to find a few artist that could approach and write around the verse without using the word "I", to write about someone other than themselves. McClafferty knew that he wanted a female on the chorus and initially wanted three different artist for the lyrics, one on each verse. "The minute I heard Meka Arpége sing, I knew she had to be a part of the project, her voice absolutely blew my mind away." said McClafferty. Meka then wrote four lines for the hook and before she reached Capricorn Studios, added another four lines which together, became the chorus that McClafferty called "the hook that made me believe in music again." Finding the three artist for the lyrics proved to be much more challenging in a World of hip-hop artist and rappers that are used to delivering the common ground "all about me" approach to the mic. Several artist were considered and attempted to write to the music and build around the lyrics already presented, but failure and excuses were the only things rapidly flowing from every street corner. Determined to move forward with the presentation of Meka Arpége, McClafferty set up a photo session for Meka with Fae Raboy. It was at this time that Arpége introduced McClafferty and Raboy to a San Diego artist on the rise by the name of Barshaun. Meka pulled out her phone and showed McClafferty a video of Barshaun, his confidence, professionalism and delivery on the mic sparked an immediate interest for Keys Of Hope. The only question that remained, was Barshaun interested? Meka presented him with the initial lyrics and told him what the project was about and Barshaun was in. Without ever meeting, reading or hearing what Barshaun had come up with for the project, Raboy and McClafferty, now in Boston, booked a session with Capricorn Studios and engineer Josh Mallit in San Diego, California for Barshaun to do what he does best. Delivering two verses when asked for only one, McClafferty never intended to use both, in fact, when he received a call in the middle of the session from Barshaun (the first time McClafferty and Barshuan spoke directly to each other), he let Barshaun know that if he did want to do two verses, that he would just use the best one. With three artist in mind there was only room for one verse each, that is, until Raboy and McClaffferty heard both of Barshaun’s takes. The rest is, as they say “history”. “Keys Of Hope” is intended to lift people and inspire them to go for what they want in this life. Our hope is that in the few minutes of listening, pieces of our experiences are felt and our expressions are welcomed and received in the hearts and souls of anyone in the world that is discouraged and close to giving up.