A Royal Blessing: Blessing Offor Performs for the UKs Royal Family
Just a few months ago Blessing Offor was in our studio belting out amazing stripped-down renditions of some of his amazing songs, but this week his audience was a bit more prestigious. On November 8, the two-time GRAMMY nominee and Gold-certified artist stepped onto the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Blessing was making his UK television debut during the BBC Festival of Remembrance, performing his breakout hit “Brighter Days” before an audience that included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton; Princess of Wales, Prince George, Prince Edward and wife Sophie; Duke and Duchess of York and Prime Minister Kier Starmer. Over five million viewers tuned in to see the performance, which also featured Sir Rod Stewart, and hosted by everyone’s favorite boss, Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham.
Blessing Offor performs at 49:50
Looking back at our time with Blessing, he is honest about the highs and lows that come with being such a vulnerable and reflective artist while making historic accomplishments. “It’s surreal. You experience something at 30,000 feet, and then you experience something at rock bottom. I feel a certain way, but we’ve got to go on stage and do this thing. You kind of hold it together like this—it’s both good and bad.”
That push and pull between triumph and vulnerability defines Blessing’s artistry. His new Christmas EP, To All A Good Night (out November 14), closes out a landmark year that’s seen him not only achieve international acclaim but also share his most personal work yet. The eight-song collection includes originals like “To All A Goodnight” (co-written with Nathan Wallace) and “God With Us” (co-written with Andrew Skib), alongside soulful takes on *NSYNC’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” and Otis Redding’s “Merry Christmas, Baby.”
Blessing once again is connecting us all through his genre defining music. The same could be said for his most recent studio album Real “Every song on this record [Real] feels like a little bit of light,” he said. “Like a flare shot into the dark sky. If someone’s walking around and it’s midnight for them, and something catches their eye that looks like hope, that’s exactly what I want… It was born out of a season of profound loss. I lost my mom, my best friend, and my sister,” he shared. “At the same time, I got two GRAMMY nominations and did a whole tour. All the good, bad, and indifferent of that season went into this record.”
Even with such depth, Blessing has always made sure his songs invite everyone in. “I want to make music that people who haven’t been to church can get into,” he explained. “If you’ve never been to church and you hear my song, it should still make sense. And if you have, it’ll still speak to you.”
That balance—faith without pretense, pop without polish—is what makes Blessing one of the most authentic voices in Christian music today. “CCM was the first genre that gave me a chance,” he said. “I’ll always respect that. But I make art, period. My faith informs my art, and I just try to make good songs. Sometimes it’s a love song, sometimes it’s a sad song—but it’s always honest.”
To All A Good Night is available everywhere November 14. Pre-save it now and let your season be a little brighter.
