Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” just earned the dynamic pair of musicians another accolade as they won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Joined by co-writer Benjamin William Hastings and producer Micah Nichols — both first-time GRAMMY® recipients — Lake accepted the trophy on the duo’s behalf during the Premiere Ceremony at the 68th annual GRAMMY® Awards, held in Los Angeles Feb. 1, 2026.
During his acceptance speech, Lake expressed his gratitude for Jelly Roll, who later joined him on the red carpet. “He just took me everywhere he was performing and said, ‘Let’s do this song together.’ He took this song places that I couldn’t have by myself,” Lake shared of his country collaborator. “I’ve gotten countless messages of how this song has literally saved people’s lives and pointed them to Jesus. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I don’t know where I would be, y’all.”
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The South Carolina native then went on to acknowledge the craziness of today’s world before quoting John 16:33 and encouraging those listening that, through Christ, we can all be overcomers.
Following five GRAMMY® victories with Maverick City Music, Lake’s sixth GRAMMY® win for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” marks the first time he’s received a GRAMMY® for work that’s appeared on one of his solo records. Lake’s “King Of Hearts” LP was also nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album; and “I Know A Name,” his recent collaboration with Elevation Worship, was also up for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
Meanwhile, Jelly Roll collected the first GRAMMY® Awards of his career, accruing three across the course of the night. In addition to securing hardware for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” he also dominated the Best Country Duo/Group Performance bracket for his contribution to Shaboozey’s “Amen.” Additionally, Jelly Roll’s latest project, “Beautifully Broken,” garnered Best Contemporary Country Album honors, which he was awarded during the main broadcast on CBS. “I want to tell y’all right now, Jesus is for everybody,” he proclaimed during his acceptance speech on national television. “Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him.”
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The GRAMMY® for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” is the jewel in the cross-genre collaboration’s glittering crown, following a K-LOVE Fan Award, three GMA Dove Awards and a nomination for CMA Musical Event of the Year. Together, Lake and Jelly Roll took the chart-topping hit to a wide array of stages, performing the juggernaut at the Grand Ole Opry, CMA Fest, Stagecoach and the GMA Dove Awards and on “American Idol” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Furthermore, Lake recently performed the Platinum single solo on “Good Morning America” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Although unable to attend, CeCe Winans also picked up her 18th GRAMMY® for “Come Jesus Come (feat. Shirley Caesar)” in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category.
