When country star Jelly Roll first felt the call to work with Christian artist Brandon Lake, he knew it wasn’t just another song—it was God.
For years, Jelly Roll has called himself God's least likely messenger. However, after hearing Lake's single "Hard Fought Hallelujah" he knew God was calling him in a new direction.
"I carry my faith with me but I also struggle. I'm very open and honest about that," said Jelly Roll to Brandon Lake in a conversation between the two in a YouTube video. "To me, it was like worship music for sinners. I knew that it had a spiritual undertone, but it didn't fit what I thought as Christian. It was so painful. You had so much soul."
Jelly Roll says it has been years since he had worshiped to a song like that. He was over the moon when he realized that this was a song that he could potentially collaborate on with Lake.
"God sent me this record. I needed that record when I heard that. God pointed to me not once, but twice," said Jelly Roll. "Not only does he want me to listen to it and worship. He wants me to live with it and learn it. It connected me to my faith in a way that I haven't been connected in a while."
For years, Jelly Roll has fought with sharing his Christianity because he says he's lost patience with himself and Christians have lost their patience with him.
"I've been called lukewarm, a fence rider and a cussing Christian. I know God has a lot more to do with me and I've got a long way to go but I know my heart is in the right direction," said Jelly Roll. "I know my heart is only to share the faith that changed my life. I might wear it a little differently than other people. I might say things other Christians don't think are right to say but ultimately I have a heart for God and a heart for Jesus."
Jelly Roll says he talks a lot about God in his music and invites the spirit into each of his shows.
"I pray before every show," said Jelly Roll. "We're all serving him in our own way. I know that music is my vessel. It's the gift that God gave me specifically."
He hopes this collaboration with Brandon Lake will bridge the gap between his world and those like Brandon Lake.
The new version of "Hard Fought Hallelujah" was released on Feb. 7, 2025.
Brandon Lake will make his Grand Ole Opry debut alongside Jelly Roll on Wednesday evening.