Jelly Roll Opens Up on How 'Hard Fought Hallelujah' Deeply Moved Him
One of the top artists in Christian music is collaborating with one of the biggest names in country music for a song both are calling life-changing.
Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll this week teased a collaboration on the hit song Hard Fought Hallelujah, which Lake released last fall and that quickly climbed to No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts.
The collaboration is set to be released on Feb. 7.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, said the song deeply touched him.
"The first time I heard Hard Fought Hallelujah, I haven't had a record touch me like that in so long," Jelly Roll said in a video posted on both singers' social media channels. "It's been years since I worshiped the way that I worshiped to that song. Because I carry my faith with me, but I'm also struggling, and very honest and open about that."
Lake is a five-time Grammy winner and 10-time Dove Awards winner.
Jelly Roll is a four-time Grammy nominee and eight-time Country Music Association (CMA) Awards nominee who won New Artist of the Year for 2023. Much of his music weaves in themes of fall, redemption, and grace.
"I've been so bitter and hurt by the church and their dogma that I created my own now," Jelly Roll said. "Because I believe music meets us where we are. I needed that record when I heard it, but then to double back and be like, 'Yo, there's a chance you could work on this record with this guy, and I'm like, Whoa, God sends me the record for me.' Not only does He want me to listen to it and worship, He wants me to live with it and learn."
Lake, on his Instagram, wrote of the collaboration, "Can't wait to share."
Hard Fought Hallelujah isn't the only forthcoming partnership between a Christian and country star.
Three-time Dove Award winner Anne Wilson announced last week she will be opening four Morgan Wallen concerts this summer: July 25 and 26 in Seattle and Aug. 1 and 2 in Santa Clara, Calif. Wallen was the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Entertainer of the Year for 2024.
"If you know me," Wilson wrote on her Instagram, "you know how much I love his music and artistry. I am so honored and thrilled for this opportunity!"
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jason Davis/Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published January 29, 2025.
