Vassal Benford

Vassal Gradington Benford III is an American music producer, record executive, and film composer. Benford is the co-chairman and CEO of Benford & Canton Studios, a media production company he co-founded with producer Mark Canton, known for films such as 300, Immortals, and the Power television series. He is CEO of Certifyd, a blockchain-based music streaming and distribution platform. In addition, Benford is a managing advisor to the legacy of boxer Manny Pacquiao, and chairman of the B.B. King Estate

Benford is an executive producer of the films After and After We Collided, both of which became top-streaming titles on Netflix and collectively grossed over $300 million worldwide. As a producer, he has worked with artists including, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Bublé, Chris Brown, Jason Derulo, Diplo, Drake, Justin Bieber, Quavo, David Guetta, U2, NBA Youngboy, Gucci Mane, Nas, Rick Ross, Chanté Moore, Deborah Cox, BBD, Bobby Brown, New Edition, Steve Aoki, Swae Lee, Skrillex, Major Lazer and Marshmello. French Montana, Rick Ross, Nas, Erika Jayne, Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, Anuel AA, Flo Rida, B.B. King, Richie Sambora, Queen Latifah, The Jacksons, Mariah Carey, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Kool G Rap, Bell Biv DeVoe, Bobby Brown, New Edition, The Baha Men, Tisha Campbell, Patti LaBelle, Faith Evans, Chanté Moore, Aaron Hall, Oleta Adams, and Lisa Stansfield.

In 2024, he co-produced several tracks on Chris Brown's album 11.11, which received a Grammy nomination and won R&B Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards. He also produced Chris Brown's single Bruce Lee.

He collaborated with Clive Davis at Arista Records under a joint partnership, discovering and signing singer Deborah Cox. He discovered and managed the R&B girl group Jade, who signed to Giant Records (a Warner Bros. subsidiary). Their debut single Don’t Walk Away spent 39 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Benford the ASCAP Pop Music Songwriter of the Year Award. In 2017, Billboard ranked the song at number 52 on its list of the “100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.”

In 2015, Benford established The Benford Company, an entertainment firm specializing in production, artist representation and brand partnerships, including collaborations with Universal and Warner Bros. The company has been associated with clients such as figures including Manny Pacquiao and the B.B. King estate.