Brandon Lake is already a superstar in the Christian music scene, amassing 38 career appearances on Bulletin boardHot Christian Songs chart. But he reaches the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time this week with his new viral hit, “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
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Released on November 8 on Brandon Lake/Essential/Provident Label Group, the song debuts at No. 51 on the Hot 100 (dated November 23) with 7 million official streams in the US, 60,000 airplay audiences and 13,000 downloads sold in its first week, according to Luminate. Its sales total is the highest among all songs this week, creating a No. 1 debut on the Digital Song Sales chart, where it is Lake's first leader.
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” benefited from the pre-release buzz on TikTok. Lake first teased the song on the platform on September 3. Since then, the audio from this clip has been used to soundtrack more than 30,000 TikToks. Many TikTok users have linked the song to experiences during difficult times in their lives and how they turned to religion to overcome personal obstacles. The lake has been shared some of those video on his profile.
Lake has been a mainstay in the Christian music world since his chart debut in 2019. He first landed on Hot Christian Songs in July 2019 with “This Is a Move,” which peaked at No. 36. He has eight top 10s, including six No 1s via “Hard Fought Hallelujah” this week:
Title, Peak Date (Weeks at No. 1):
- “Hard Fought Hallelujah”, November 23, 2024 (one to date)
- “That's Who I Praise”, October 19, 2024 (five)
- “Praise” (Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore), March 16, 2024 (31)
- “Praise You Anywhere”, November 4, 2023 (six)
- “Gratitude”, February 4, 2023 (28)
- “Graves Into Gardens” (Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake), February 6, 2021 (two)
With 31 weeks at No. 1, “Praise” is the fourth biggest hit in the 21-year history of Hot Christian Songs – and the biggest hit by a solo male. Overall, it trails only Lauren Daigle's “You Say” (132 weeks at No. 1), Hillsong United's “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” (61) and Hillsong Worship's “What a Beautiful Name” (37 ). At 28 weeks, Lake's “Gratitude” is the fifth longest running No. 1.
The six Nos. 1 on Hot Christian Songs put him in a tie with Jeremy Camp, Daigle, Matthew West and Third Day for fifth place, behind MercyMe (13), Casting Crowns (nine), Chris Tomlin and TobyMac (seven each) . ).
Additionally, Lake claims the top three tracks on the Hot Christian Songs chart dated Nov. 23, with “Hard Fought Hallelujah” followed by “That's Who I Praise” at No. 2 and “Praise” at No. 3. Previously, only Ye (then billed as Kanye West) tripled for 11 weeks in 2019-22 and Carrie Underwood, for four weeks in 2020-21.
Lake has also charted 21 songs on Christian Airplay, including six top 10s and three No. 1: “Graves Into Gardens”, “Gratitude” and “Praise”.
On the Top Christian Albums chart, Lake has claimed five titles, including a No. 1: Coat of many colorsin November 2023.
Earlier this year, Lake signed with UTA for representational bookings. “We are impressed with how Lake is changing the game for Christian artists and are thrilled to welcome him to the UTA family,” Matthew Morgan, UTA Nashville co-head and UTA partner, said in a statement at the time.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/brandon-lake-hot-100-debut-hard-fought-hallelujah-1235833317/
