RK He Broke Down on Stage — Jelly Roll’s Tears Turned a Concert Into a Confession, and Fans Can’t Stop Talking About It

On Friday, Oct. 10, the country singer took home Song of the Year at the Christian music awards show for he and Brandon Lake‘s collaboration “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”

In his acceptance speech, Jelly Roll got emotional reflecting on the path that led him to this moment.

“Y’all forgive me, I’m not sure how much I even belong speaking up here right now,” he began, with the crowd cheering “You belong” in response. “I ain’t been this nervous since I went to criminal court, y’all. This is a real thing for me, I mean, I’m sweaty palms. But, I was listening to Him, and I was thinking about [the book of] Matthew when he talks about ‘the least.’ When he said, ‘When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me water. When I was in jail, you came and visited me.’ And I realized that I’m standing here because people took time with the least.”

The country star then became more impassioned, saying, “I want to give this message as clear as I can right now. The world is hearing about Jesus like they haven’t in decades right now. There is a revival happening in the United States of America where you can’t go on a corner and not hear about Jesus right now. And while we are hearing about Jesus, I encourage you to put faith on your feet and feet on your faith, and walk out of this building, and go do for the least. They’ve heard of Jesus, now show them Jesus. Go feed the poor, go visit the ones in jail, go show them who Jesus was.”

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake also performed “Hard Fought Hallelujah” at the show, with the country star taking to Instagram to reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“Man the Holy Spirit showed up on major way in that room,” Jelly Roll wrote. I’ve had some magical nights in that building, but this was electrifying.”

While promoting “Hard Fought Hallelujah” earlier this year, Jelly Roll discussed his faith and what brought him to Christianity. Though he was baptized at 14, the singer became troubled in his teenage years and began experimenting with drugs.

Over the course of a decade, he was arrested multiple times for selling drugs and at one point was charged with armed robbery. After learning he had a daughter while incarcerated in 2008, Jelly Roll decided to turn his life around.

“I might wear it a little different than other people; I might say things that other Christians don’t think are right to say, but ultimately, I have a heart for God and I have a heart for Jesus.” he said during an interview with K-Love.

Lake added that Jelly Roll’s story of redemption is what made him the perfect collaborator for “Hard Fought Hallelujah”.

“I wanted to share this song with somebody that had a really beautiful and hard-fought story, and the first person that came to mind was Jelly,” Lake said.

Along with its Dove Award win, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” is nominated for Musical Event of The Year at the CMA Awards this November, and the impact the song is making has “exceeded” Jelly Roll and Lake’s expectations.

“I love the conversation it’s creating,” Jelly Roll said. “Millions of people like me are finding a safe place in God.”