February 7, 2025
GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter Brandon Lake has unveiled a powerful new duet version of his hit single “Hard Fought Hallelujah”, this time featuring country music superstar and rapper Jelly Roll.
The song originally debuted in November 2024, skyrocketing to #1 on the Christian/Gospel Songs Chart, #1 on the Christian/Gospel On-Demand Audio Streaming and Christian/Gospel On-Demand Overall Streaming charts, as well as #1 on the All-Genre Digital Song Sales Chart. The track also set a new record for the largest debut streaming week for a single released by a Christian genre artist, surpassing Lake’s own previous achievement with “That’s Who I Praise”.
Initially released as a solo track, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” quickly resonated with listeners worldwide, becoming a viral hit. Inspired by the song’s deep emotional and spiritual impact, Brandon Lake reimagined it as a dynamic, soul-stirring duet with Jelly Roll, set to release on February 7, 2025.
The song’s poignant message centers on the struggles and triumphs of faith, with Jelly Roll revealing how the track rekindled his connection with worship in a way he hadn’t experienced in years. In a heartfelt conversation with Brandon Lake, the “Need A Favor” singer shared how “Hard Fought Hallelujah” moved him deeply, “The first time I heard ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah,’ I haven’t had a record touch me like that in so long. It’s been years since I worshipped the way that I worshipped to that song.”
The new version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” elevates its already compelling soundscape, blending orchestral swells, soaring harmonies, and powerful electric guitar riffs.
Jelly Roll’s distinct, gritty vocal delivery introduces a raw, emotional intensity to the second verse, heightening the song’s dramatic storytelling. The track builds into an anthemic, celebratory crescendo, culminating in a soul-stirring choir arrangement that amplifies the track’s sense of triumph and spiritual renewal.
Brandon Lake continues to push musical boundaries, merging Contemporary Christian, stadium rock, and modern country influences. His ability to craft genre-defying worship anthems has led to collaborations with major artists such as Thomas Rhett. Likewise, Jelly Roll has embraced faith-driven music, previously inviting Contemporary Christian artist Anne Wilson to perform “Save Me” at Faster Horses Festival 2024.
During their discussion, Jelly Roll spoke openly about his faith journey and struggles, explaining, “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 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, and not only does He want me to listen to it and worship, He wants me to live with it and learn it.’”
