Grammy Award- winning American producer/ record executive/ film producer, Vassal Benford has his eyes on Ghana! In an exclusive interview with him over the weekend, he revealed that he would soon be working with some talents from Ghana including broadcaster and singer turned actor, Jon Germain. Benford, who stamped his indelible imprint on the music scene as one of the top producers in the world generating over $400 million in sales revenue for companies such as Universal, Sony, BMG, Warner Bros, said he has a strong interest in Ghana and feels Jon Germain represents what he wants to do with Ghana in terms of music.
He said, “I would like to work with Jon on producing music for his upcoming albums. I maybe make a record with him for the upcoming Marvin Gaye Movie soundtrack, as well as write hit songs with him on records for some pop artists here in the United States. I have a strong interest in taking artists from Ghana and introducing their music to the US”
Benford, who earlier this year signed on as an Executive Producer for the upcoming drama, ‘Nana Means King’- a story about a betrayed Ghanaian working illegally in the UK finds himself on a quest not only to survive but to re-envision a life beyond his own shattered dreams – revealed that he met Jon Germain through the producer of the movie.
He said, “I would like to work with Jon on producing music for his upcoming albums. I maybe make a record with him for the upcoming Marvin Gaye Movie soundtrack, as well as write hit songs with him on records for some pop artists here in the United States. I have a strong interest in taking artists from Ghana and introducing their music to the US”
Benford, who earlier this year signed on as an Executive Producer for the upcoming drama, ‘Nana Means King’- a story about a betrayed Ghanaian working illegally in the UK finds himself on a quest not only to survive but to re-envision a life beyond his own shattered dreams – revealed that he met Jon Germain through the producer of the movie.
“I was introduced to Jon via a friend from Ghana, Kenny Andam. Kenny is a genius in the tech world who happens to also be a talented producer. After meeting Jon I was captivated by his artistry and the sound of his recordings, and thought to myself this guy could be big,” he explained.
The ace producer, who made his first hit record at age 16, further described Jon Germain as a hit song writer, very simple and also, a super awesome person. Benford also revealed that he has just finished producing Flo-Rida in the studio, and is currently executively producing and scoring the new Marvin Gaye biopic titled, SSexual Healing’. He added that it is his hope to work with The Nelson Mendela Foundation to help create benefit concerts and entertainment projects in Ghana and throughout Africa for children in need.
Benford also hinted he wishes to visit Ghana by November 2014. He commented, “Ghana is fast becoming home to a lot of Americans, It’s a wonderful place with wonderful people. I’m looking forward to cultivating the super talented recording artist and actors in that region, and I would like to meet the President”.
Vassal Gradington Benford III was appointed by music mogul Clive Davis (Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Alisha Keys), and under the joint venture partnership (Vaz/Arista), signed his first multi-platinum artist Debra Cox. Davis also founded label imprints with other superstar producers Sean ‘P Diddy” Combs, L.A. Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmounds. The La-face duo released Toni Braxton’s Debut selling over 10x platinum; Benford won a Grammy Award for his production on Braxton.
Vassal Benford has garnered 8 nominations, 13 film scores, 4 television syndications, and 57 platinum records awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA Certified) Benford’s introduction to the “fast track” of success started with music icons, Quincy Jones, Don Davis, Clarence Avant, and Universal Music Group record executive, Louil Silas, Jr.
Benford’s production has helped create career-defining hits for superstar talents Toni Braxton, Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Deborah Cox, Sheryl Crow, U2, Flo Rida, Bell Biv Devo, Jade, Bobby Brown, The Baha Men, Lil Kim, Tisha Campbell, Erika Jayne, Patti Labelle, Faith Evans, Chanté Moore, Aaron Hall, Oleta Adams, London Beat, Surface, Lisa Stansfield, Trimaine Halkins, and The Fine Young Cannibals.
Deborah Cox one of Benford’s multi-platinum discoveries performed the hit single, “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here.” Benford dominated the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts making music history with the hit single, “Don’t Walk Away,” performed by the female trio, Jade, also one of Benford’s discoveries –Held the #1-5 chart position on the Billboard Hot 100 as the longest single ever performed by a group or duo for 39 weeks.
Benford is presently Chairman/CEO of New Nation Media distributed by Universal with Mark Canton Partner/ film producer of the box office Blockbusters, “300″ and “Immortals. NNM capitalizes on Music, film, Innovative Technologies and Digital Media platforms. Vassal Gradington Benford III a Music Mogul, remains one of the top producers in the world, also ranked one of the most prolific producers in the entertainment industry today.
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