Two of music’s most passionate voices joined forces Thursday night for a stirring national debut of Hard Fought Hallelujah on Jimmy Kimmel Live — and the performance left a deep impression on audiences.
Country sensation Jelly Roll and Christian music powerhouse Brandon Lake shared the stage to perform the chart-topping single, a heartfelt anthem about the battle, bruises, and beauty of a life of faith. Their collaboration, released in February, has already resonated with listeners across multiple Billboard Christian music charts — and their live performance made the song’s message even more powerful.
“I love the story of how this song came together,” Kimmel told viewers before introducing the duo.
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Jelly Roll — born Jason Bradley DeFord — had fallen in love with Hard Fought Hallelujah long before he knew he’d get the chance to record it. As he recounted on the show, he was captivated by the song’s raw honesty about struggle and redemption.
“I was just such a fan of the song — and I didn’t know [Brandon] was a Christian artist, by the way, or I might not have been as confident in calling him,” Jelly Roll joked.
When his manager suggested a collaboration with Lake, Jelly Roll immediately knew which song he wanted to work on: “I was like, ‘Is it the Hard Fought Hallelujah song?'” he recalled. “We have to do that song. I felt like it was God in every way it could be. Brandon Lake has been such a mentor to my life, such a minister. He’s the real deal.”
The partnership has been more than a professional success for Jelly Roll — it’s been a spiritual milestone. The four-time Grammy nominee and 2023 CMA New Artist of the Year has long been open about his complicated relationship with faith. His music often wrestles with themes of brokenness, grace, and second chances.
“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 shared on social media. “It’s been years since I worshiped the way I worshiped to that song. Because I carry my faith with me, but I’m also struggling, and very honest and open about that.”
Brandon Lake, a five-time Grammy winner and ten-time Dove Awards recipient, has built his career on songs that meet people in their battles — and point them to God’s victory. For Jelly Roll, partnering with Lake wasn’t just about making music; it was about deepening his walk with the Lord.
“I’ve been so bitter and hurt by the church and their dogma that I created my own now,” Jelly Roll admitted. “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.”
Their unforgettable performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was a testimony to the healing power of faith-filled music—a true “hard-fought hallelujah” that inspired millions watching at home.
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