When Nigerian-born Christian singer Blessing Offor first told his family he wanted to be a musician, they weren't too fond of the idea. But once they saw his passion and talent, his parents and sister became his loudest cheerleaders.
"When he told us, we were like, 'Huh?' Why not a lawyer or another profession?" his sister, Peace, recalls with a chuckle. "We always knew that Blessing was an intelligent boy. But considering he always loved music, we encouraged him. We gave him all the support he needed."
Last November, Offor marked a coveted milestone achievement in his career after receiving his first GRAMMY nominations — for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for his LP My Tribe and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "Believe" — at the 2024 GRAMMYs. As Peace confidently declares, "Today, we are glad we didn't give up."
Offor has spent nearly his entire life in the United States after moving across the globe to treat his congenital glaucoma. So, when he heard the news, he instantly shouted with excitement and "threw my phone at my tour manager." But when we got in touch with his family in Nigeria, he had to explain the magnitude of the honor.
"It's kind of a charm," Offor says. "It doesn't let your head get too big."
The nominations also brought another, well, blessing into his life — a reunion with his mother, brothers, cousins, and more. "The moment of reuniting with Blessing means so much," Peace reveals. "My dad has been smiling. We've been so happy because it's been a very long while, and we're so excited to reunite with him."
It's all because of the music, Blessing believes: "Getting to say to them, 'It's all worth it.' Look where we are. Look what's happening. That's the greatest joy."
Family Matters is a new GRAMMY.com video series that dives into the lives of the family members, friends, and essential support systems of musical artists, and the pivotal roles they play in the artists' journey. Press play on the video to hear more about Blessing Offor's heartwarming love for his family.
Check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Family Matters, and be sure to tune into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, airing live on the CBS Television Network (8-11:30 p.m. LIVE ET/5-8:30 p.m. LIVE PT) and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).