Faith has played a central role in Jelly Roll’s rise to country music stardom. His industry debut, Whitsitt Chapel, delved into themes of spirituality, sin, and redemption. So it makes sense that the Antioch, Tennessee-raised artist (born Jason DeFord) would choose Brandon Lake for his latest collaboration. Lake is currently tearing up the contemporary Christian charts with “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” And when Jelly Roll heard the song, it stirred up something within him that he knew he had to lean into.

Jelly Roll Gets Candid About His Struggles With the Church

Part of Jelly Roll’s appeal lies in his steadfast commitment to honesty, especially when it comes to his past. He doesn’t gloss over his past battles with incarceration and substance abuse. In a recent conversation with collaborator Brandon Lake, the “Need a Favor” singer revealed that his walk with God hasn’t always been a straight line.

“I carry my faith with me, but I’m also struggling, and very honest and open about that,” he said. “I’ve been so bitter and hurt by the church and their dogma that I created my own.”

However, Jelly also firmly believes that “music meets us where we are.” That’s what “Hard Fought Hallelujah” did for him, and what he hopes to do by teaming up with Lake.

“I haven’t had a record touch me like that in so long,” Jelly told Lake. “It’s been years since I worshipped the way that I worshipped to that song.”

He continued, “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 this record, and not only does He want me to listen to it and worship, He wants me to live with it and learn it.”

“Hard Fought Hallelujah” Drops Feb. 7

Released in November, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” marks Brandon Lake’s sixth No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. The song’s crossover appeal also gave the Charleston, South Carolina-based pastor his first-ever entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

In a recent post to his Instagram stories, Lake shared his excitement for the upcoming Jelly Roll version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”

“It’s been so cool. I cannot wait for this to come out,” he said. “I cannot wait for y’all to hear the back story and how we’ve become friends.”

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