Some stories aren’t just told — they’re felt. Vincent Berry II’s “Take Me To The River” is one of those stories in song, unraveling like a confessional soaked in pain and struggle.
“Take me to the river where I can be clean,” croons the Morehouse graduate who has written for Beyonce and Mary J. Blige.
His weathered yet resilient voice evokes pain over a bluesy, gospel-infused instrumentation. It’s the kind of record that doesn’t just demand attention — it commands it. And in many ways, it echoes the redemption of The Honorable Shyne, the Hulu documentary chronicling Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s turbulent yet inspiring journey.
For those who haven’t watched the documentary — or those who need a reason to revisit it — Berry’s latest release is a reminder of why the film hits an emotional bullseye. It takes audiences beyond the headlines and industry narratives to reveal a man who would not let crippling circumstances deter him from success. From his days as a sought-after recruit in Bad Boy’s camp to the Club New York shooting that led to a 10-year prison sentence, to his reinvention as Belize’s Leader of the Opposition, The Honorable Shyne doesn’t just tell a comeback story — it forces viewers to sit with the complexities of redemption.
Much like Barrow, Berry delivers “Take Me To The River” with an intensity that commands attention. The song’s brooding bassline, weeping guitar licks, and soul-stirring organ create an atmosphere of reckoning, as if Berry is standing at the edge of the water, questioning whether he deserves forgiveness. It’s a sentiment that runs deep in The Honorable Shyne, where Barrow revisits the pain of his past.
Jermaine Hall
At the core of both the song and the documentary is the idea that redemption has to be earned. Barrow doesn’t gloss over mistakes that led to his incarceration. Instead, he owns his narrative, choosing to rebuild. “Take Me To The River” carries a similar energy, a sonic embodiment of the emotional and spiritual battle that comes with trying to move forward while carrying the scars of yesterday.
Both the song and the documentary serve as powerful reminders that the road to redemption isn’t smooth—it’s messy, painful, and unforgiving. But as Barrow’s story proves, and as Berry’s music echoes, the past may shape you, but it doesn’t define you.
Put yourself in a contemplative mood by listening to Berry’s “Take Me to the River” then revisit The Honorable Shyne on Hulu.