Acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandon Lake celebrates his fifth No. 1 achievement on Billboard’s prestigious Christian Airplay chart with his uplifting single “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which has successfully climbed to the top of the chart for the week dated May 10.
Over the tracking week from April 25 to May 1, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” experienced a noteworthy increase of 6%, reaching an impressive 3.9 million audience impressions, as reported by Luminate. This significant growth reflects the song’s increasing popularity and resonance with listeners across the Christian music community.
At just 34 years old, Lake hails from Charleston, South Carolina, and co-wrote “Hard Fought Hallelujah” alongside a talented team that includes Chris Brown from Elevation Worship, Steven Furtick, Benjamin Hastings, Jelly Roll, and Rodrick Simmons. The song was skillfully produced by Micah Nichols, contributing to its polished sound and emotional depth.
“I’m just shocked in the best way,” Lake expresses to Billboard. “This is wild. It’s just a reminder that God still takes the little things—like a song written on a random day—and breathes on them in a way only He can. I’m so thankful for every radio station, every listener, and all of you who’ve been blasting ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah.’ All glory to Jesus.” His heartfelt appreciation highlights the importance of community support in his musical journey.
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” was first released in November, captivating audiences with its powerful message. A remix featuring Jelly Roll was unveiled on February 7, and on April 20, the duo delivered a memorable live performance of the song on American Idol, further solidifying its presence in the mainstream music landscape.
Currently, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” enjoys its remarkable 21st week at the top of the multimetric Hot Christian Songs list. Additionally, it has secured the No. 12 position on the Hot Country Songs chart and is rising steadily from 56 to 54 on Country Airplay, garnering 979,000 impressions in this format, reflecting a robust 15% increase. The independent promotion company Lyric Ridge is actively working the Jelly Roll remix to country radio, enhancing its reach.
With this latest achievement, Lake marks his fifth chart-topper on the Christian Airplay chart. His previous hit “That’s Who I Praise” dominated for an impressive 10 weeks starting last November. Before that, he led with “Praise,” a collaboration with Chris Brown and Chandler Moore, for nine weeks beginning in May 2024. His solo hit “Gratitude” held the top position for a week in March 2023, and he also featured on Elevation Worship’s “Graves Into Gardens,” leading for a week in February 2021.
