But some folks realize it is precisely at these times, the low points, that your real strength…faith…kicks in. The time when you have one of two choices: you can give up and let go, or use this time as fuel to build your greatness into fruition.
Producer Vincent Berry II chose option #2.
Some may now know Vincent L. Berry II as the producer and writer of the award-winning song, Sand Castles, which Beyonce performed so movingly at the 2017 Grammys; but Tamar Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz and a host of others have news for you: he’s far from a neophyte in the music biz, and they’ve got tracks to prove it.
In addition to producing, Berry is a singer, songwriter, composer and entrepreneur who recently formed the independent media company, Press Play, Inc. which boasts a client list that will make your head spin. Included on this mind-boggling list is Akon, Chris Brown, J. Cole, Chrisette Michele, Monica, Mya, Timberland and so many more. By any standard, Berry serves as a great example — especially to up and coming artists — on how staying focused on your journey to success in this crazy business of entertainment during the rough times, can and will, eventually pay off.
The creative genius, who is among the 2016 HBCU scholars awarded space on the prestigious Top 30 Under 30, an honor that has in previous years included civil rights leaders, doctors, Olympians, educators, politicians, lawyers, musicians, engineers, actors/actresses, humanitarians, professional athletes, religious leaders, bankers, writers, and scientists, took time out recently to speak with Electronic Urban Report’s Sr. Editor, DeBorah B. Pryor.
EURweb/DBP: I hear you were a “couch surfer” at one time. Many of us have “been there, done that” and have the T-shirt to show for it. Did you find it difficult to focus and work your craft (write songs, maintain confidence, network) with homelessness being your reality?
VBII: To be honest I actually focused and worked harder when I was in that state of being and I constantly draw from that season for fresh inspiration! I was “couch surfing” for more than three years, with several months in the car, garages and a few days with nowhere to go but too prideful to actually lay down on the concrete, so I walked through Hollywood! I’ve learned that people who experience no hardships are often the ones with the hardest time staying focused and working hard. When you have nowhere to go, no back up plan and no one to turn to, you connect to another level of tenacity and ambition. The journey no longer becomes about if, but rather when!
EURweb/DBP:Â A failed relationship after a decade must be tough, did the former girlfriend you wrote ‘Sand Castles’ about recognize herself in the song and contact you since its recording?
VBII: Yes she has contacted me. Our families have been friends for a very long time so life goes on. She’s married now with two children. She was just congratulating me about everything. I wish her all the best! You know from that relationship I’ve realized we think we know and make elaborate plans with our lives as if our lives are our own. I am now fully convinced that my life belongs to the Most High. You know you think it’s tough while you [sic] going through it but it’s never failure separating from someone you were never supposed to be with romantically. I believe that my life has never been off course even when my journey lead me into dark places, it was all necessary.
EURweb/DBP: Insisting on keeping your publishing was a brave stance to take with such a super star showing interest in recording your song. Would it have been a “deal-breaker” had Beyonce said “No” to this caveat?
VBII: This position was not a position taken against Beyonce. It is the frame of mind of everyone here at Press Play (@itspressplay), a Detroit-Born entertainment and media company founded by my partner Timothy Bullock and myself. We believe this kind of thinking is necessary for the millennial creative in order to ensure wealth generation for the future families and descendants of that creator! I simply refused to take any kind of publishing deal just for the sake of money! I knew that everything was temporary, Triumph and Defeat! I didn’t want to sign to a company in a traditional “co-pub” deal because in those kind of deals a creator assigns ownership to that company.
EURweb/DBP: It’s news to me that an artist can receive a completed song, but then change the ending to that song. Was this something you had to think about or, because it was Beyonce, you said, “No worries!”
VBII: Beyoncé in my eyes is the pinnacle of artistry so in my opinion any creator should be grateful to work with her and give her the creative freedom to be herself and make co-production and/or co-writing decisions which ultimately perfectly tailors a great song demo into an incredible record ready for her market.
EURweb/DBP:Â Is there ever a time where you would not grant such a request (to alter your song)?
VBII: Yes, of course. I believe music is alive and carries the DNA/spirit of the creators involved. Whenever someone is trying to add something to a song that doesn’t line up with the DNA/spirit of a song, I definitely became passionately vocal about why those changes don’t work for me.
VBII: I am very open and humble regarding my creation and if someone has something that will make it better, I’m really making those changes. But I am also very aware of the gift that I possess and I don’t ever slight nor short change my artistry.
EURweb/DBP: Do you recall your thoughts/feelings the moment you got the word that your song was wanted by Beyonce?
VBII:Â “Baruch HaShem! (Blessed be the name.)” Followed by a good ‘ol Penacostal dance! Lol!
The most beautiful part to me is before I ever touched a key or sang a note, I knew and spoke that this song would be for Beyonce! So to be sitting in the Staples Center not only winning a Grammy for my contribution to a masterfully constructed “Lemonade.” but she then performs my song, pregnant with twins, on the 59th Grammy Awards Stage… and KILLS IT?! Surreal! This was far beyond my dreams!
EURweb/DBP: Have you actually met Beyonce, and what was that meeting like?
VBII: Unfortunately we have never had the opportunity to meet each other! I’m certain that time is coming though. I am patiently waiting! I am so grateful for her even vibing with the spirit of that song and wanting to sing it! It has been such an honor being apart of this project!
EURweb/DBP: Has she expressed interest in working with you again in the future?
VBII: Yes! We sent a thank you note to Teresa just telling her thank you and how grateful we were and she told me to keep those great songs coming! I am a huge fan and supporter of her business savvy as well. I’ve worked with Chloe and Halle, the incredibly talented and beautiful sisters LA-based duo, signed to Queen Bey. These ladies are superstars! I am most certainly working to be involved on their project!
EURweb/DBP: This major coup has obviously opened many doors for you, how has it impacted your housing situation?
VBII: Well I’m definitely not homeless anymore! In fact now I have “homes” everywhere! Lol I’m actually trying to decide on which part of the world I would like to plant myself. I love my hometown Detroit, Miami, Atlanta or London. My little brothers Addison, a first year student at the Harvard Kennedy of Government and Yahusha Kalev, a National Recording Artist, both share my passion for real estate investing and have decided as a collective to begin building our family portfolio!
EURweb/DBP: Your confidence has obviously enjoyed a boost (deservedly so!). Are you excited about the possibility of working with the likes of Eminem, Alicia Keys and Big Sean, all prolific in their own way?
VBII: You know this entire thing is about the mind.
I’m reminded of a stanza of one of my favorite poems “If”, written in 1895 by Rudyard Kipling,
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise”
VBII: These questions are some of the words that help me to keep my soul balanced during my journey. You have to believe in yourself. I think this moment was important for my confidence but more importantly for the confidence of those in and around our movement as well as those who have decided to invest into my vision!
I know that I am really close to getting in w/ Alicia Keys… that is important to me! I know that will be historic! As far as excited about working with Eminem and Big Sean, I’m born and raised from the Eastside of Detroit and both of these brothers have really put on for my city! I’d love to connect those bridges and build with both my brothers. Hats off to them both, true Legends.
EURweb/DBP:Â I’ve since learned of your work with Tamar Braxton, Mary J. Blige and Trey Songz, can you elaborate on your work with other artists we may recognize?
VBII: I’ve been writing songs for almost 18 years. I’ve participated in Grammy Nominated projects before for my contribution and connection to Gospel artists James Fortune and Gospel music legend Karen Clark Sheard of the iconic group The Clark Sisters, who gave me my first placement ever in the world!
Within the past 12 months we have had nearly 40+ songs recorded by major artists and several of them are soon due to be released!
– 4-5 songs on Tamar Braxton’s forthcoming album, songs featured and due to be featured in Fox’s Empire & Star, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Sean Paul & Migos, Shaggy, Bones Thug & Harmony, Brandy, Kierra Sheard, Niko and Vinz, Steve Aoki, Post Malone, Nipsey Hustle, Zoey Dollaz, Shana Wilson, and we are producing for R Kelly right now.
EURweb/DBP:Â Wow! I had no idea. With all of that under your wing, I can’t imagine there is anyone left to work with. But just in case. Is there a “Bucket List Dream Artist” (and granted, Beyonce may have been it!) that you still hope to one day write and produce for?
VBII: Beyoncé was definitely my bucket list! Lol
We are most excited about the artists, projects and brands that we are partnering with to expose to the world! Our artist Yahusha Kalev, who right now is enjoying offers from several major labels including Republic and RCA. He is deserving of everything he is experiencing right now. We have decided to continue in the spirit of entrepreneurship and independence and have released his project “Vibes In The Hills” which is available now on Apple, Spotify, Rhapsody etc… Please go check it out! We also have Canjelae Taylor, Eighty 8 and several other artists that we believe will leave a major imprint on this world!
And finally…
EURweb/DBP: We’re do you go from here?
VBII: My team and I have developed a brand called Write My Song, a company dedicated to educating and empowering creatives with the craft and business of songwriting. We teach our students that the most important skill set is the ability to listen. I’m certain when Malik Yusef started Sand Castles a few years ago he had a place that he drew inspiration from, but when I heard those words that day, I heard a song, a message and a memory that I felt Beyoncé could relate to. The emotions created from my past experiences was everything I needed to bring this song into fruition! I’m just happy that I was blessed to be the one to hear it that day!
At Write My Song we are not only making our students better listeners, through our 21 Modules, we equip our students with the information to evolve continuously as professional songwriters and creatives in general.
Hats off to you, Mr. Berry!
Re-Live Beyonce’s performance of the award-winning song performed at the 59th Grammy Awards in the video below.
About DeBorah B. Pryor:
DeBorah B. Pryor began her career in entertainment journalism back stage at The Apollo in NYC more than 35 years ago. She was West Coast Editor at Black Radio Exclusive (BRE) for four years before coming to Lee Bailey’s Electronic Urban Report (EURweb) in 2003 as a feature writer. She now serves as senior editor and daily news blogger at EURThisNthat.  As an entrepreneur, DeBorah developed Public Speaking for the Private Person (available on CD), and How to Talk to Anybody II. Both workshops have been taught at UCLA Extension. Reach out to her at [email protected] or follow her @pryor_deborah
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