The youngest of six siblings, the Nigerian-born singer/songwriter Blessing Offor immigrated to the United States with his uncle at the age of six. Born with glaucoma in his left eye, Blessing’s parents selflessly sent their son to America in the hopes that he would be able to receive optimal medical care. Several years later, a powerful spray from a water gun damaged his retina, removing the sight in his right eye, as well, yet the disability has yet to deter him. Blessing doesn’t believe his blindness is a hindrance; rather, it’s a gift that affords him a heightened sense of attunement to the world around him. He also believes his Nigerian blood and immigrant mentality push him to work harder than any of his peers.

Growing up in Connecticut on a steady diet of pop, Motown and jazz, Blessing found himself spending time behind the piano at the age of 9. As a teenager, the budding musician soon discovered his talent for writing songs, and in turn, found something of a calling which took him to Belmont University in Nashville for a few semesters.

Though far from home, Blessing soon found that his pithy pop hooks were a square peg in a round hole in a Nashville that had yet to experience the musical diversity it holds in high regard today. So, Blessing packed his bags and headed for the Big Apple, where he spent the next five years cultivating his songwriting and musicianship before heading back to Music City in the summer of 2015.

When asked how he reconciles his blindness with his faith, he replies with a series of questions. “Is God only good when things are awesome? Because surely the answer can’t be ‘yes’ to that question. Why should we expect that nothing bad should ever happen to us? Am I the only one dealing with bad things?” he asks. “So that is the road map, so to speak, to kind of understand why it’s OK when bad things happen.”

His point of view is distinctive. His personality is joyful. His music, however, is far more difficult to classify, and perhaps that’s intentional. The through line is a powerful trifecta, though: warm, friendly vocals, piano-led melodies, and sincere lyrical depth.