MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW: Hard Fought Hallelujah By Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll

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Hard Fought Hallelujah is just a fantastic song! There was so much controversy when it first came out, but it has now blossomed into a CMA Awards Nomination for Best Musical Event of the Year! The basis of the song in the beginning was not received by all people in Christianity. Some didn’t believe Jelly Roll was qualified to sing the truth of his faith once being a convicted felon. Some believed Brandon Lake shouldn’t include him on the song. I can only say boy they were wrong. Brandon Lake is the number one male Christian music artist right now. Although this song can be controversial, it is Brandon’s personality to work with movers and people who shake up the game. Brandon Lake is and will always be an evangelist artist. He believes in a much more forgiving God than some in the faith. He believes in the power of grace and bringing people to the table, not pushing them away.. 

Jelly Roll since the release has gone through a massive transformation since this song came out. He is much more Intune with his faith. He of course has his moments of being a Country Music Star, but his personal beliefs are solid. Jelly Roll also brought a lot of Country fans back into their faith with this song. Brandon has had major success in bringing many into the faith of Christianity. His outreach and shows are bigger than ever.

Why did this song have such an impact? The first verse of Brandon Lake talks about the times when he praises and it’s easy and other times it “takes all the strength” he has. As a Christian you are told to praise God at all times, which is literally impossible but Brandon is highlighting the journey he has been through traveling having to lift God up in praise, even if he had a really hard day. The second verse goes a little deeper with Jelly opening up that he has wrestled with the darkness in his past. That he is actively searching for the light and that process of keeping his belief in God breaks down his pride. They are both highlighting their true wrestling with their faith and, essentially they are saying they will bring their struggles, their “Hard Fought Hallelujah” to God. Then the chorus erupts into a massive roar and I’m not going to lie, it's pretty powerful. Many “Oh’s” by Brandon as Jelly asks God to “break these chains”. It is as if Brandon who is an avid and devout man of God is leading Jelly Roll out of that darkness and into the light. It’s a really powerful song and great music video. I don’t think the music video does it justice where the live performances done of them together really show the depth of that commitment by both of them to see the song's success. This song is not meant to make you feel good. It is made to challenge you, and put a mirror up in front of you. Are you Brandon? Are you Jelly Roll? In the end we are all human and fall short, but this song is to honor those of both paths of life trying to get to the same place. God has been patient and gracious to them. Their paths couldn’t be more different, but in this instance, they will bring the “Hallelujah” no matter how different it is, to God. Powerful!!

Music Video: https://youtu.be/YJNFAaWJhp0?si=XYaJbMn-y_o-ShRK

Live Performance: https://youtu.be/Eag6awYVBoE?si=75IPwl96PDq6bHlB