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By Michaela Gordoni
Brandon Lake is a Christian artist, but he’s gotten collaborations with people who’ve never stepped into the worship genre — opening doors to share his faith with entirely new audiences.
“I feel like music is what God has called me to, the gift that he’s given me, and that’s how I’m able to share this message and reach people,” Lake said on CBS MORNINGS.
The Grammy winner has over 4 billion streams across streaming platforms and regularly has sold out shows.
“My parents just made it fun,” said Lake, who grew up as a pastor’s kid in South Carolina, “and I think that’s what church is supposed to really be about, and that’s community and sharing and everything that you have.”
For him, community is the heart of it. He makes music to minister to people. Those roots are founded in his first album, Closer.
Ten years ago, he didn’t have a label or funds to make a record.
He thought, “’I’m going to have to ask people for money and raise this money.’ And I said, if you give me a certain amount of money, I’ll tattoo your name on my leg. And so I have 23 last names tattooed on my thigh,” he explained. “I was willing to do anything short of sin to to get this record done.”
Related: Brandon Lake Encourages Us Ask This Question—Here’s Why
At the height of fame with six no. 1 songs, Lake felt low.
“When I didn’t have the next song writing invite or I didn’t have the next song I was excited about or the next show, I started to panic, but I was too prideful to tell my wife what I was experiencing,” he admitted. “So, I’m having some weird thoughts, dark thoughts. I’m like, this is not who I am.”
It was strange, because things happened for him that he never imagined. Yet, he felt down. But he relied on God, friends and family and got through it by faith.
Lake has collaborated with Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Nick Jonas, Lainey Wilson and other artists — all on Christian songs.
Lake explained, “Here’s the thing. The songs are cool, but I think God loves collaborations.”
What he offers to all of his listeners is testimony — how God has changed him.
“Like I’m not out here trying to like, you know, beat people with a Bible, you know, fire and brimstone. Like I don’t think that’s effective. I think my songs are offerings and they’re open doors.”
In 2022, he released his album, HELP!, which reflects on a time where he often called out to God.
“I pray these songs give you something to scream to when you’re feeling crazy, sit to when you long for His whisper, and sing to when you’re feeling grateful for His never failing rescue. I have found that ‘help’ is a hard word to say, but powerful to pray,” Lake said at the time.
His newest project is King of Hearts – In The Room! which is a collection of 16 songs recorded live at concerts.
“This tour is one of those markers on my life that I’ll tell the stories of for decades,” he said of the album. “Thank you, Lord, for Your faithfulness. Thank you for the hundreds of thousands of lives changed. Thank you that you’re not finished yet.”
As of right now, the artist has only three concerts lined up the rest of the year. On Aug. 14, he’ll be in South Bend, Indiana, then on Sept. 11 in Saratoga Springs, New York and finally in Uncasville, Connecticut on Sept. 13.
Read Next: Brandon Lake Explains How World Events Influence His Music
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