Blessing Offor
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresGospel, Christian pop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, music composer
Years active2015-present
LabelsCapitol CMG

Blessing Offor is a Nigerian-born American Christian pop and gospel singer, songwriter, and composer.

Early life and career

Blessing Offor was born blind in one eye and with limited vision in the other due to congenital glaucoma. He and his uncle migrated to Connecticut at 6 years old in order to treat the glaucoma and preserve his remaining eyesight.[1] When he was 10, he went completely blind due to an accident. He started composing music on piano and learned to play songs from Stevie Wonder and Sam Cook, his musical influences. He carried on with his career as a gospel musician despite his situation. He moved to Nashville to pursue music more.[2]

He then played at bars on his young adult years before competing on The Voice during its seventh season in 2014, where he joined team Pharrell Williams and later Adam Levine, before getting eliminated in the show's third round.[3][4]

He regularly performs at the Kennedy Center to help spread awareness about artists with disabilities. He then released "Brighter Days" along with an album named after it in 2022.[5] The song reached 17 on the Billboard Top 20 at the time.[6]

In the year 2023, he created a single with fellow Christian singer, TobyMac called "The Goodness", and also released a solo single called "My Tribe" which peaked at number 2 on Billboard Christian AirPlay for seven weeks.[7][8][9] "My Tribe" pays tribute to his sister, Mercy, who died December 29, 2022. The song also pays tribute to his home country, Nigeria.[10]

Later that year, his song "Believe" reached number 23, on Christian Top 40.[11][12] In November 2023, "Believe" was nominated for the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Offor also received a nomination for the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album with his album, My Tribe.

Awards and nominations

GMA Dove Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Blessing Offor New Artist of the Year Nominated
[13]
2023 "Brighter Days" Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year Won
[14]
My Tribe Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Nominated
"The Goodness"
(with TobyMac)		 Short Form Video of the Year (Performance) Won

References

  1. ↑ "Blessing Offor". Capitol Christian Music Group. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  2. ↑ Law, Jeannie Ortega; Reporter, Christian Post (2022-03-11). "Blind musician Blessing Offor says he's 'living the dream,' wakes up grateful for each day". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  3. ↑ Starkey, Mei Ling (2015-04-24). "The Voice Contestant Blessing Offor Exclusive Interview". Risen Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  4. ↑ "'The Voice' Performer Blessing Offor Is Sent Home & This Season Loses Its "Something Special"". Bustle. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  5. ↑ Bennett, Laura (2022-04-06). "Blessing Offor's 'Brighter Days' Were Hard-Won But Faith-Building". Hope 103.2. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  6. ↑ devops (2013-11-28). "Christian Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  7. ↑ Nicholson, Jessica (2023-01-12). "Blessing Offor Talks Christian Music Success & Debut Album 'My Tribe': 'I Didn't Give Myself Permission to Quit'". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  8. ↑ devops (2013-11-28). "Christian Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  9. ↑ devops (2013-01-02). "Hot Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  10. ↑ Palsa, Nicole (2023-02-01). "Blessing Offor Reflects On Releasing Debut Album, 'My Tribe,' After Sudden Loss Of His Sister: 'An Emotional Challenge'". Country Now. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Christian Top 40". www.topchristianhits.org. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Blessing Offor "Brighter Days" hits Billboard Top 10, releases "Believe" in studio performance". www.breathecast.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  13. ↑ "2022 Nominees | The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. August 10, 2022. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  14. ↑ "2023 Nominees". GMA Dove Awards. August 9, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
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