Jelly Roll Charts A New No. 1 With A Special Duet

Forbes

05-05-2025

Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll hit No. 1 on two Billboard charts with 'Hard Fought Hallelujah,' as the ... More duet version becomes the most popular edition in the U.S. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Jelly Roll attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by)
For several months now, a track titled "Hard Fought Hallelujah" has been one of the most popular in America, as well as one of the biggest Christian hits in quite some time. While it might not have reached the radar of all listeners, millions across the United States have already discovered the Brandon Lake smash. The tune has been charting on Billboard rankings for months, and the genre superstar has recently taken big steps to turn it into a significant, and rare, religious-themed crossover hit.
This week, the tune officially becomes a collaboration on every ranking, as the collaborative version is now the most popular. "Hard Fought Hallelujah" is now officially a duet between Lake and Jelly Roll. The updated take on what was once a solo composition was released back in early February, but it wasn't always the most-consumed edition. Billboard typically credits one version of a song on the charts, favoring whichever earns the most consumption.
If the solo edition of a track like "Hard Fought Hallelujah" earns more activity, then the streams and sales of a newly released remix — such as the one featuring Jelly — contribute to the title's overall success. But the featured musician doesn't always receive official credit. Jelly is now named on the tune as it arrives on one tally and soars on others.
This week, "Hard Fought Hallelujah" debuts at No. 1 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, Billboard's ranking of the bestselling country tracks in America. The smash enters in the top spot, giving Lake his first leader and Jelly his third career winner on this list.
He first led in April 2023 with "Need a Favor" and returned to the summit alongside Jessie Murph on "Wild Ones" in October of that year.
Jelly is surely thrilled to see "Hard Fought Hallelujah" rule the Country Digital Song Sales chart, as quite a few of his previous hits peaked in the runner-up spot. "Son of a Sinner," "Save Me" with Lainey Wilson, "I Am Not Okay," "Lonely Road" with MGK (previously known as Machine Gun Kelly) and "Believe" with Brooks & Dunn all missed the mark by just one space. Jelly has now earned a milestone 15 top 10s out of 20 total appearances on the roster.
Lake and Jelly Roll also dominate the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart this week with "Hard Fought Hallelujah." The track rockets from No. 14 to the summit, marking its second stint at No. 1. Luminate reports that sales of the title grew by more than 200% week over week, totaling just under 8,700 copies sold in the U.S. in the last time around.
"Hard Fought Hallelujah" is also on the rise across numerous other Billboard charts, as the cross-genre tune is becoming a serious smash in America. It bolts into the top 40 on the Hot 100, settling at No. 40. The tune climbs slightly on the Country Airplay chart, stepping up from No. 60 — where it debuted last week — to No. 56. Meanwhile, it rules the Rock Digital Song Sales chart for a twelfth consecutive frame.