Born blind in his left eye due to congenital glaucoma, standout musician Blessing Offor of The Voice emigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria at the age of six. Offor’s parents made the difficult decision to split up their tightly knit family to send their youngest child to America, where he could be properly medically treated and educated. Although Offer’s parents miss him deeply (they haven’t seen each other in nearly 20 years), their sacrifice secured a future that would not have been possible for him in Nigeria.
In another twist of fate, a young Offor was shot in the right eye at with a water gun while playing in his backyard. The accident detached his retina and effectively robbed him of his remaining vision; he then found himself navigating a new world without sight during preadolescence. However, he soon found solace inn singing and writing songs, taking voice lessons and listening to the singers and songwriters that would later impact his style.
With a genuine love of people, a zeal for networking and inexhaustible energy, Offor is still making his dreams come true. He has opened for such legendary acts as The Temptations, Tower of Power, Average White Man, as well as the winner of the first season of The Voice, Javier Cologne. With an infectious joy, Offor consistently wins new fans—not just with his music, but with his outgoing personality.
Offor was a contestant on season seven of The Voice, where Pharrell Williams, Adam Levine, Taylor Swift, and Alicia Keys have mentored him. He has also appeared on Bravo’s songwriting competition show Platinum Hit, and recently signed with Sojourn Records. His debut record Roots, will be released in 2015. Offor’s remarkable journey and music will inspire the dreamer in all of us. In his engaging presentations, he often discusses the transformative experience of his blindness and how he became who is today. He also speaks on his African-American heritage and how his life was completely changed by his saving graces; music and education. In his most popular program, Offor performs his classic blend of enriching, comforting music with his signature charisma.
RESUME
- Signed to Sojourn Records
- In production on documentary following his rise to stardom
- Opened for: The Temptations; Tower of Power; Average White Man; and winner of the first season of The Voice, Javier Cologne
- Appeared on Bravo’s songwriting competition show Platinum Hit
- Performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts various times
- Recipient of a Young Soloists Award for songwriting from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts