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Brantley Gilbert Teams With Jelly Roll on New Song Begging for Change - A Raw Look at Addiction and Homelessness
Brantley Gilbert’s forthcoming album Sins of the Father will drop on Friday, July 24, and track 4, titled “Begging for Change,” features guest vocals from rapper‑country artist Jelly Roll. The song is a collaboration between Gilbert, Jelly Roll, songwriter Brock Berryhill and producer‑writer Andrew Baylis.
According to a recent interview on Taste of Country Nights, the inspiration for the ballad came from a chance encounter that Jelly Roll had while driving home after a label event. He spotted a homeless man on the side of the road, a former schoolmate who had once been a “cool kid” in their class. Jelly Roll recalled that the sight of the man’s familiar face, now living on the streets, struck him deeply and prompted the idea for a song that would address the cycle of homelessness and addiction.
Gilbert explained that the track’s chorus is not a plea for money but a call for change. The lyrics emphasize the need to break the chain that leads to homelessness and addiction, framing the struggle as a shared human experience rather than a personal failure. The song’s tone is described by both artists as raw and emotional, reflecting the seriousness of the subject matter.
The collaboration was written and recorded in a studio session that brought together the four writers. Jelly Roll’s involvement adds a cross‑genre perspective, blending his hip‑hop‑influenced style with Gilbert’s country‑rock sensibility. The songwriting credits list Gilbert, Jelly Roll, Brock Berryhill and Andrew Baylis.
Begging for Change is positioned as a centerpiece of the album’s thematic arc, which explores personal and societal struggles. The track’s placement as the fourth song on the record follows the opening single “Good Damn” and precedes the more upbeat “Mud on His Halo.” The album’s release on July 24 will make the song available on all major streaming platforms.
The narrative behind the song underscores the broader issue of homelessness in the United States. While the article does not provide specific statistics, it references the broader context of addiction and homelessness that the artists aim to highlight.
Gilbert’s discussion on Taste of Country Nights also touched on the emotional weight of the songwriting process. He noted that the encounter with the homeless man was a “powerful experience” for Jelly Roll, and that the two artists wanted to translate that moment into a message of hope and change.
The track is expected to resonate with listeners who appreciate music that tackles social issues. By pairing country and hip‑hop elements, the collaboration may broaden its appeal across genre boundaries.
In summary, Brantley Gilbert’s new album Sins of the Father will include the track “Begging for Change,” a collaboration with Jelly Roll that addresses addiction and homelessness through a raw, emotional ballad. The song’s narrative stems from a real‑world encounter that inspired the artists to call for change rather than charity. The album’s release on July 24 will bring the track to streaming services worldwide.
According to a recent interview on Taste of Country Nights, the inspiration for the ballad came from a chance encounter that Jelly Roll had while driving home after a label event. He spotted a homeless man on the side of the road, a former schoolmate who had once been a “cool kid” in their class. Jelly Roll recalled that the sight of the man’s familiar face, now living on the streets, struck him deeply and prompted the idea for a song that would address the cycle of homelessness and addiction.
Gilbert explained that the track’s chorus is not a plea for money but a call for change. The lyrics emphasize the need to break the chain that leads to homelessness and addiction, framing the struggle as a shared human experience rather than a personal failure. The song’s tone is described by both artists as raw and emotional, reflecting the seriousness of the subject matter.
The collaboration was written and recorded in a studio session that brought together the four writers. Jelly Roll’s involvement adds a cross‑genre perspective, blending his hip‑hop‑influenced style with Gilbert’s country‑rock sensibility. The songwriting credits list Gilbert, Jelly Roll, Brock Berryhill and Andrew Baylis.
Begging for Change is positioned as a centerpiece of the album’s thematic arc, which explores personal and societal struggles. The track’s placement as the fourth song on the record follows the opening single “Good Damn” and precedes the more upbeat “Mud on His Halo.” The album’s release on July 24 will make the song available on all major streaming platforms.
The narrative behind the song underscores the broader issue of homelessness in the United States. While the article does not provide specific statistics, it references the broader context of addiction and homelessness that the artists aim to highlight.
Gilbert’s discussion on Taste of Country Nights also touched on the emotional weight of the songwriting process. He noted that the encounter with the homeless man was a “powerful experience” for Jelly Roll, and that the two artists wanted to translate that moment into a message of hope and change.
The track is expected to resonate with listeners who appreciate music that tackles social issues. By pairing country and hip‑hop elements, the collaboration may broaden its appeal across genre boundaries.
In summary, Brantley Gilbert’s new album Sins of the Father will include the track “Begging for Change,” a collaboration with Jelly Roll that addresses addiction and homelessness through a raw, emotional ballad. The song’s narrative stems from a real‑world encounter that inspired the artists to call for change rather than charity. The album’s release on July 24 will bring the track to streaming services worldwide.
