Brandon Lake / Jelly Roll: A Tale of Two American Music Stories

Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll are two distinct, chart-topping artists from the United States who have carved unique paths in contemporary Christian and country-rap genres, respectively. While Brandon Lake is a Grammy-winning worship leader from South Carolina, Jelly Roll is a genre-blending powerhouse from Nashville whose raw storytelling has conquered mainstream charts.

Early career

Brandon Lake, born in 1990, began his music journey within the church, eventually becoming a songwriter and worship pastor. His early involvement with the Bethel Music collective and Maverick City Music provided a platform, leading to co-writes on prominent worship songs before his solo career fully launched.

Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord in 1984, started in the underground hip-hop scene of Antioch, Tennessee, releasing numerous mixtapes throughout the 2000s. His early work was characterized by a fusion of Southern rap and rock, building a dedicated grassroots following through relentless touring and independent releases.

Breakthrough

Brandon Lake's breakthrough arrived with the 2021 release of his album "House of Miracles" and its title track, which topped Christian charts. His role as a co-writer on the global worship hit "Graves Into Gardens" further cemented his status, earning him a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2022.

Jelly Roll's mainstream explosion came in 2021 with his country-infused project, "Ballads of the Broken." The heartfelt single "Son of a Sinner" became a crossover phenomenon, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart in 2023 and earning him a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, a pivotal moment for the genre-blending artist.

Key tracks

Graves Into Gardens — This co-write became a defining modern worship anthem, earning Lake a Grammy and showcasing his songwriting prowess.

Son of a Sinner — Jelly Roll's chart-topping country rock ballad marked his dramatic crossover from the underground to mainstream country radio success.

Need a Favor — This 2023 single highlighted Jelly Roll's rock influences and vulnerable lyricism, securing another major country radio hit and platinum certification.

Too Good To Not Believe — A powerful collaboration from Brandon Lake's "Help!" album that underscores his central role in the modern worship movement.

Following his breakthrough, Jelly Roll's major label debut album, "Whitsitt Chapel" (2023), debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, proving his commercial staying power. His collaborations with artists like Lainey Wilson and Brantley Gilbert further solidified his place in the Nashville community. Brandon Lake continues to lead worship globally and releases solo work, with songs like "Praise You Anywhere" maintaining a strong presence on Christian charts.

Fans of Brandon Lake's uplifting modern worship may also enjoy Phil Wickham for his anthemic songwriting style. Listeners drawn to Jelly Roll's raw, narrative-driven country sound should explore Hardy for his rock-edged storytelling. The emotional depth of Zach Williams resonates with both artists' themes of redemption. For Jelly Roll's blend of genres, check out Yelawolf for his own unique take on Southern rap and country fusion.

The music of Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll receives frequent airplay across our network's stations, from contemporary Christian formats to modern country and alternative rock radio stations. Their hit songs are staples in rotation, connecting with wide audiences through online radio streams and terrestrial FM broadcasts that cater to their distinct fanbases.

You can hear the powerful worship of Brandon Lake and the gritty country-rock of Jelly Roll on various radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their music and explore the stations that regularly feature these compelling American artists.