Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake Stir Souls with Powerful “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake brought a wave of raw, unwavering faith to late-night television when they took the stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live with their emotional duet “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” The performance had millions of viewers praising not only the vocals but the bold declaration of belief broadcast on such a major platform.
Brandon Lake, known for his impactful work in Christian worship music, first released “Hard Fought Hallelujah” in November 2024. The song debuted at #1 on the Digital Songs and Hot Christian Songs charts, and even cracked the Billboard Hot 100 at #51. At its core, the song is a humble yet powerful testament to God’s grace and faithfulness, with lyrics like:
“So I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah.”
Describing the inspiration behind the song, Lake told Jesus Freak Hideout,
“This song is about the battles we face, the grit throughout the fight for faith, and the praise that comes after.”
In February 2025, Jelly Roll joined Lake for a remix that elevated the track’s emotional weight even further. Known for his gritty honesty and outspoken Christian faith, Jelly Roll added depth and vulnerability that resonated deeply with fans. The official music video of the duet has now surpassed 4.3 million views.
Their live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live felt like a breakthrough moment—an unapologetically spiritual anthem aired to a massive, mainstream audience. Viewers were moved to tears and flooded the comments section with praise:
“Praise God that this song was on Jimmy Kimmel Live! WOW!”
“To God be the glory. Thank you Jimmy Kimmel for making space for this.”
“Two powerhouses deliver. Chills.”
“Christ is King — and wow, that this happened on Jimmy Kimmel. Maybe there’s hope yet.”
A Movement in the Making: From Kimmel to Idol
This soul-stirring Kimmel performance came just days after the duo delivered another unforgettable version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol’s special Easter Sunday “Songs of Faith” episode.
Jelly Roll—Idol’s first-ever artist-in-residence—and Lake captivated both the in-studio audience and millions online. Their Idol rendition quickly went viral, amassing over 6.8 million views on Facebook alone.
The back-to-back performances on two major TV stages have solidified “Hard Fought Hallelujah” as more than just a hit—it’s becoming a movement. A rallying cry for faith, perseverance, and authentic worship, led by two artists who aren’t afraid to share their testimony with the world.