On May 1, 2026, Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas released a two-song collaboration that blends polished pop sensibility with powerful inspirational vocals. This partnership marks a significant moment in contemporary Christian music.
Brandon Lake has rapidly risen to prominence in the Christian music scene, selling out arena shows and performing at large secular music festivals. His previous release, “The Jesus I Know Now,” featuring Lainey Wilson, came just weeks before this new collaboration.
The songs, “The Author” and a remix of “Hope,” emerged from a songwriting camp hosted by Lake in late 2025. These tracks reflect the artists’ personal faith journeys and the struggles they’ve faced along the way.
Brandon Lake shared his thoughts on the song “The Author,” saying, “So who am I? Who am I? Am I just a poor preacher’s prodigal son? Troubled child, running wild, chasing the glory instead of the One.” His lyrics delve into themes of self-reflection and redemption.
Nick Jonas, who grew up as a pastor’s kid, resonated with these themes. He commented on his own experiences: “Like every good story, you learn from the loss and I lost the plot every time I played God.” This connection adds depth to their collaboration.
The song “Hope” originally appeared on Jonas’ album “Sunday Best” but has been reimagined in this new context. Brandon Lake’s verse captures the transformative power of faith: “I see trauma, I see worthless. You see something You can work with.”
As both artists continue to carve their paths in the industry, observers are eager to see how this collaboration influences their careers and the broader landscape of Christian music. With their Grammy-winning backgrounds—Lake alongside Jelly Roll—this partnership promises to resonate deeply with fans.
The release not only highlights their individual talents but also showcases how collaborations like this can bridge gaps between different musical genres while still maintaining a strong message of faith.
