A singer-songwriter who grew up in Hamden just released a new song with country music legend Dolly Parton. 鈥淪omebody鈥檚 Child鈥� is described on Dolly Parton鈥檚 website as a 鈥渃ontemplation on compassion and humanity.鈥�
Blessing Offor came to the U.S. from Nigeria when he was just six years old, seeking treatment for glaucoma. He moved in with his uncle in Hamden.
By the time Offor was 10 years old he had lost sight in both his eyes. Offor then threw himself into music, honing his skills as a singer, pianist and songwriter, according to a biography on his website. Hamden recognized his talent early on. The Hamden Arts Commission named him a 鈥淕ifted Young Artist鈥� three years in a row.
Offor graduated from Hamden High School in 2007, and attended Belmont University in Nashville for a year. Offor eventually moved to Nashville full time to focus on his music career.
Offor first garnered national attention in 2014, when he wowed the judges on 鈥淭he Voice鈥� with his rendition of Bill Withers鈥� 鈥淛ust the Two of Us.鈥� Despite being a fan favorite, he was eventually eliminated from the show.
Since then, Blessing Offor has made a name for himself in the world of gospel music. Last year, he earned two Grammy nominations. Also in 2023, he earned two Dove Awards by the Gospel Music Association of the United States for his song 鈥淏righter Days鈥� and for the music video 鈥淭he Goodness鈥� with contemporary Christian musician and rapper TobyMac.
Earlier this year, Offor sent a rough cut of his latest single, 鈥淪omebody鈥檚 Child鈥� to none other than Dolly Parton, who offered to sing with Offor on the single, and the music video. Parton said in a statement 鈥淚 love the song 鈥楽omebody鈥檚 Child鈥� and I am very proud to be a part of it.鈥�
"We鈥檙e all 'somebody鈥檚 child,鈥�" said Offor in a statement "It鈥檚 such a simple concept, but I hope it鈥檚 the beginning of us all realizing that there鈥檚 always a point of empathy, there鈥檚 always common ground if we want to find it. And there鈥檚 no better embodiment of finding common ground, finding relatability, than Dolly Parton. I鈥檓 so honored and humbled to have her on this project."
鈥淪omebody鈥檚 Child鈥� is available on most music apps.
