Billboard reports surge in Christian music as two faith-based songs enter Hot 100

Christian music is making its mark on the music scene like never before, with two faith-based songs breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll’s song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” currently holds the No. 44 spot, reaching as high as No. 40, while Forrest Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” sits at No. 62, up from its previous position at No. 72. This momentous occasion marks the first time in over a decade that multiple Christian songs have made it onto this prominent chart. The last time this happened was back in 2014 when three Christian songs, including Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” and Hillsong UNITED’s “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” found their way onto the Hot 100.

Christian music’s resurgence on the mainstream music scene has not gone unnoticed, with Billboard declaring that “Christian music is making a serious comeback.” Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank have seen a surge in popularity, in part fueled by their presence on social media platforms like TikTok. Their ability to connect with audiences through faith-filled anthems has struck a powerful chord with listeners.

Both Lake and Frank are no strangers to the Christian music scene, with numerous entries on the Hot Christian Songs chart. Lake boasts an impressive 42 entries, while Frank has 34 to his name. While this is Lake’s first appearance on the Hot 100, Frank has previously charted as part of the pop duo Surfaces. It is a rare feat for Christian artists to break into the Hot 100, a chart dominated by pop, hip-hop, country, and rock genres.

Billboard updated its methodology for the Hot Christian Songs chart in 2013, resulting in only a limited number of Christian songs managing to chart on both the Hot 100 and the Christian songs chart. Among these crossover hits are popular songs like Lauren Daigle’s “You Say,” NF’s “Let You Down,” and Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water.” The recent additions of Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and Forrest Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” continue to break down barriers between the Christian music industry and the mainstream music scene.

Given the success of these two tracks, attention is now turning to other Christian artists on the cusp of breaking into the Hot 100. Elevation Worship’s “Praise,” featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Chandler Moore, as well as Frank’s “Good Day,” are both hovering just outside the chart and are poised to make a significant impact in the near future.

The inclusion of Christian music on the Hot 100 signals a shift in the music industry, reflecting the growing popularity and influence of faith-based songs among mainstream audiences. As artists like Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank continue to make waves with their music, the boundaries between different music genres are becoming increasingly blurred, paving the way for more Christian artists to share their message with a broader audience.