When Brandon Lake first connected with Jelly Roll, he probably didn’t expect a flip phone would end up playing such a pivotal role in his personal transformation.
But that’s exactly what happened. Their collaboration on Lake’s new album “King of Hearts” didn’t just produce music—it sparked a much-needed wake-up call.
Let’s rewind a second. After Jelly Roll went viral for throwing his phone into a river (yep, “into a river”), it wasn’t just a stunt—it was a release. He admitted feeling crushed under the weight of constant notifications, calls, and demands.
That image stuck with Lake. It stuck “hard”. So when Jelly Roll told him he was calling from a flip phone, Lake didn’t laugh. He leaned in. He listened. And he realized something: it was time to reclaim his own peace.
Lake, like many in the spotlight, was grappling with boundary creep. Too many people had his number. Too many voices were in his ear. So, he made a change. A fresh number. A tighter circle. A decision to focus not just on what he was doing—but “who” he was doing it for. That shift wasn’t just practical—it was spiritual.
This is a guy who’s seen massive success, Grammy nods, and collaborations with big names. But underneath the lights and applause, Lake hit a wall. After his first tour, he went straight from the stage to Disney World—because hey, what’s more joyful than Mickey Mouse, right? Except… not when your body’s running on fumes and your soul is screaming for rest. That trip ended in his first panic attack, and it was just the beginning of a deeper unraveling.
Lake’s openness about mental health is raw and important. He talks about the lies that flooded his mind, the pride that kept him from asking for help, and the breakthrough that came from something as small as a friend’s voice memo.
Since then, he’s rebuilt from the inside out—therapy, health coaching, even a move to a farm. Yes, an actual farm. With cows. And donkeys. And a chainsaw. Because sometimes healing doesn’t look like a stage—it looks like firewood and dirt.
And while Jelly Roll didn’t join him on the farm, his honesty lit a spark in Lake. It reminded him that boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re necessary.
That ministry, music, and manhood all thrive when you’re grounded. Lake’s “King of Hearts” isn’t just an album title—it’s a reminder to lead with love, live with intention, and keep the main thing the main thing.
