Rising through the ranks of country music, Jelly Roll has always put his Christian faith out there. The CMT Award winner explores his often messy relationship with God on hits like “Need a Favor.” So when Grammy-winning Christian artist Brandon Lake penned the gritty “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Jelly Roll felt like the obvious choice for a duet partner. So Lake, 35, reached out to the face-tatted former felon, and the result of that meeting has been tearing up the charts ever since. However, the South Carolina worship pastor was shocked to hear where his loudest criticism was coming from.
Videos by American Songwriter
Brandon Lake Says Jelly Roll Collab “Was Never About Religion”
Addressing a sold-out crowd during his July 31 show at Arizona’s PHX Arena, Brandon Lake explained how Jelly Roll caught his attention. The “Gratitude” singer recalled watching Jelly “accidentally lead the world in worship” during his “I Believe” collaboration with Brooks & Dunn at the 2024 CMA Awards.
Lake correctly believed his “Hard Fought Hallelujah” lyrics would resonate with the “Liar” crooner. However, while criticism is a foregone conclusion in the music industry, he was still surprised by its source.
“What was crazy is, I didn’t expect to get so much hate from those who confess to be Christians,” Lake said. “Because, you know, the last time I checked, those who are carrying the light were supposed to go towards the darkness.”
Continuing, the GMA Dove Award-winning artist implored the “younger generation” not to shy away from the so-called “darkness.”
“It’s not going to be cute. It’s going to be messy… Ministry is messy,” Lake said. “Worship is messy. Life is messy.”
Partnering with Jelly Roll “was never about religion and checking a box,” he added.
“This was about a one-on-one relationship,” Lake said. And it’s through those personal relationships that Christians can effect meaningful change.
“The funniest part about anyone that’s been against associating with the darkness is the truth is, y’all, we were all once filled with darkness,” he declared. “And if you have found Jesus, you know about the light. So how could you not run to those rooms? How could you not run down the street knowing what kind of transformation can happen to them because it happened in you?”
Featured image by Terry Wyatt/WireImage
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.