Jelly Roll is so honored to join Brandon Lake on “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” The former inmate admits that Lake choosing him was a bold choice, but one Jelly Roll is grateful to be part of.
“This is so hard to talk about, ’cause I’ve been called lukewarm, a fence-rider,” Jelly Roll says in a conversation with Lake, shared on social media. “I’ve been called a cussing Christian. I’ve had all these people … and I know that God’s got a lot more to do with me. I know that. I know I’ve got a long way to go. And I know that my heart was only to share the faith that changed my life. I might wear it a little different than other people. I might say things that other Christians don’t say. But ultimately, I have a heart for God, and I have a heart for Jesus.
“You were thinking so dangerously outside of the box,” he tells Lake. “Even with me. You could have called anybody else to this town, and something a little less controversial. Thank you brother, for picking me.”
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Ahead of the release of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” the “Liar” singer said that the song spoke deeply to him, in a time when he needed it most.
“The first time I heard ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah,’ I haven’t had a record touch me like that in so long,” Jelly Roll concedes. “It’s been years since I worshipped the way that I worshipped to that song. Because I carry my faith with me, but I’m also struggling and very honest and open about that. I’ve been so bitter and hurt by the church, and their dogma, that I created my own.
“I believe music meets you where we are,” he continues. “I needed that record when I heard it, but then to double back and be like, there’s a chance you could work on this record with this guy. God sends me the record and not only does he want me to listen to it and worship, he wants me to live with it and learn it.”
Lake was thrilled to have the country music superstar join him on the song, which he first released by himself in 2024.
“Collaborating with Jelly Roll on ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’ was powerful because we both understand what it’s like to walk through battles and still choose to lift a song of hope,” says Lake. “My prayer is that this song reminds people not to give up—that even in the hardest seasons, there’s growth, purpose, and a victory worth singing about.”
Download or stream “Hard Fought Hallelujah” here. Find all of Jelly Roll’s music and upcoming shows at JellyRoll615.com.