Initially, in 2024, Christian artist Brandon Lake released his hit song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” as a solo track. The ballad’s sound could always have been bigger, Brandon revealed, and it became bigger with help from an unlikely star…
Speaking with Billboard, Brandon said he felt the song was “too special to not share … with somebody.”
That’s when Jelly Roll came along, with the two artists forming a unique friendship with a collaboration that has brought both of them to audiences they may not have reached otherwise.
Their re-released duet version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” was released in February of 2025, and it would go on to make its way into the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 40.
Almost inseparable now from the gravely sound of Jelly Roll’s voice alongside Brandon’s powerful worship presence, a unique opportunity presented itself for the performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” as Brandon’s King of Hearts Tour stopped in South Carolina.
With the help of a gifted 14-year-old, the song can now be experienced in an entirely new way.
Hear Brandon Lake’s Live Duet With 14-Year-Old Tate Butts
On Sunday, October 19, at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, Brandon Lake brought out a 14-year-old boy named Tate Butts at his sold-out show.
Tate is no stranger to music, as he competed in the International Teen Talent 2025 held by Global Worship Initiative at Lee University. There, he performed an original song, titled “My Defender,” which won him the top prize in the Solo Songwriting Category.
Part of Tate’s prize was to sign a publishing agreement with Spirit Sound Music Group, with Global Worship Initiative noting on its social media, “This is just the beginning for a gifted voice with a heart to serve the Church through powerful, Spirit-led songs.”
In addition to songwriting, he’s also a very gifted singer.
Inviting Tate on stage at his October 19 show to perform for over 13,000 people, Brandon told the audience, “Somebody tagged me in a video a few months back … y’all give it up for Tate Butts, he’s in the house tonight!”
Brandon captioned his video of his duet with Tate, saying, “To be 14 and sing like that?!?!?! I can only imagine the things God has in store for Tate Butts.”
For artists like Brandon, the interest that children and young adults have in worship music is all part of why he makes music in the first place — to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.
Watch Brandon introduce Tate Butts, and see some of their performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” here:
Watch more of Brandon Lake and Tate Butts’ duet, here:
@styledwithgraceandgrit Someone go get @Tate Butts a record deal! Tate killed “Hard Fought Hallelujah” tonight on @Brandon Lake’s King Of Hearts tour! ❤️😍 #BrandonLake #ChristianConcerts #BrandonLakeKingOfHearts #Music TateButts
♬ Hard Fought Hallelujah (with Jelly Roll) – Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll
Watch Tate Butts’ perform his award-winning original song “My Defender,” here:
@tatebutts Singing my original song “My Defender” for the song writing category at International Teen Talent #mydefender #worship #praisethelord #thelordismyshepherd #praiseandworship #psalm23 #songwriting
