Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is a country singer known for hits like Save Me and Son of a Sinner.
Born in Nashville in 1984, he faced a challenging upbringing marked by his parents’ divorce, his mother’s struggles with addiction and his own involvement in drugs and crime.
Despite his troubled past, Jelly Roll turned his life around after the birth of his daughter while in prison.
He transitioned into music, collaborating with artists like Lil Wyte and gaining recognition for his raw storytelling.
Jelly Roll’s music blends elements of country, hip-hop, and rock, earning him Grammy nominations and chart-topping success.
| Net worth | $4 million |
| Profession | Musician |
| Genres | Hip hop, country rap, country rock, country, Southern hip hop |
| Date of birth | December 4, 1984 |
| Nationality | American |
How did Jelly Roll get into music?
Jelly Roll began his music career in the mid-2000s as a rapper with his group MFK (Midwest Flo-Krew).
He started writing rhymes at the age of 12 and later began performing around Nashville.
Jelly Roll career took off in 2017 with the release of his single, The Bottom, in collaboration with Struggle Jennings.
His music blends elements of country, blues, and rock, and he has successfully transitioned from the hip-hop scene to mainstream success in the country music industry.
Net worth
Jelly Roll has an estimated net worth of $4 million.
His net worth is primarily comes from royalties, live concerts, endorsements, promotions and sponsorships.
Jelly Roll captivates audiences with his dynamic performances and engages with fans on social media, expanding his reach and income opportunities.
His genre-blending style, incorporating elements of rap, country, and rock, sets him apart in the industry and contributes to his success.
Despite facing challenges in his past, including legal issues as a teenager, Jelly Roll turned his life around, emphasizing personal growth and helping others along the way.Â
His journey from adversity to success showcases resilience and determination in achieving financial prosperity through music.
Rollin’ w/Jelly food truck
Rollin’ w/Jelly is a food truck owned by country singer Jelly Roll, based in Nashville.
The truck offers a variety of items, including hot wings, jelly doughnuts, and Jelly-ade, a lemonade twist.
The venture was inspired by Jelly Roll’s friend Jerry G, with both having faced challenges due to past felonies.
The food truck is run by felons, providing them with employment opportunities.
Jelly Roll’s music career is also thriving, with collaborations like Country As Shit with Tyler Farr and an upcoming album titled, WHITSITT CHAPEL.
This album features tracks like NEED A FAVOR and SHE, showcasing Jelly Roll’s growth and gratitude in his life.
The food truck initiative reflects Jelly Roll’s commitment to his community and providing second chances to those who have faced adversity.
Hip Hop career
Jelly Roll began his music career in hip-hop, drawing inspiration from artists like Three 6 Mafia, UGK and 8Ball & MJG.
He started by selling mixtapes out of his car and released projects like The Plain Shmear Tape in 2003, followed by collaborations with artists such as Lil Wyte and Haystak.
Jelly Roll’s song Pop Another Pill with Lil Wyte garnered significant attention, leading to the formation of the hip-hop group SNO and the release of the album, Year Round.
Despite initial success in hip-hop, he later transitioned to incorporate more soulful rock and country influences into his music.
Jelly Roll’s journey from hip-hop to country music was marked by personal struggles, including legal issues and addiction, which he openly addresses in his music, resonating with fans seeking authentic storytelling.
Recording career
Jelly Roll transitioned to become a Grammy-nominated country music star with hit songs like Save Me and Son of a…
His recording career began with mixtapes distributed in high school parking lots, leading to collaborations with artists like Lil Wyte and Haystak.
Despite facing legal issues and drug addiction, Jelly Roll’s resilience and dedication to music propelled him to success.
His debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, marked a significant milestone in his career, earning him multiple awards and accolades
Jelly Roll’s unique style, blending rap, country, and rock elements, sets him apart in the industry and resonates with audiences seeking authentic storytelling and relatable themes.
What inspired jelly roll to transition from rap to country music?
Some of the key influences that led to Roll’s shift in musical style include his diverse musical upbringing.
He grew up in a large household and was exposed to many different genres of music, and was always interested in trying to create music in as many of those genres as possible.
Roll also had a love for the guitar and grew up in Nashville, where he was surrounded by talented guitar players.
This, combined with his diverse musical influences, led him to explore different genres, including rock and country.
Further, he has been studying the careers of country legends and what he can learn from their relationship to their fans.
Roll admires how they have stayed true to themselves and their audience, which influenced his decision to transition to country music.
He wanted to make music that would make an impact on others, like how his mother’s music had impacted him.
This desire, combined with his diverse musical influences and love for the guitar, led him to explore different genres, including country.
Live performances
Jelly Roll’s live performances are characterized by captivating performances that showcase his unique style and talent.
His concerts often feature a blend of rap, country, and rock elements, creating an engaging and energetic atmosphere for his audience.
Some notable live performances include Nail Me at Ryman Auditorium, She at Ryman Auditorium, Church at Ryman Auditorium and Halfway To Hell at Ryman Auditorium.
These live performances, along with his unique style and engaging personality, have contributed to Jelly Roll’s growing success and popularity in the music industry.
Awards and accolades
Jelly Roll has received several awards and accolades throughout his music career.
Some notable achievements include;
2023 CMA Awards – Jelly Roll won the New Artist of the Year award at the 57th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.
2024 Grammy Awards РHe was nominated for the Best New Artist award at the 67th Grammy Awards, alongside other artists such as Gracie Abrams, Victoria Mon̩t, Noah Kahan, Fred again.., Ice Spice, Coco Jones and The War And Treaty.
He also received a nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Save Me featuring Lainey Wilson.
2024 CMT Music Awards – Jelly Roll was nominated for multiple awards at the 2024 CMT Music Awards, including Video of the Year, Male Video of the Year and Performance of the Year.
These awards and nominations demonstrate Jelly Roll’s impact and success in the music industry, showcasing his versatility and ability to connect with audiences across various genres.
Discography
Jelly Roll’s discography includes the following studio albums, mixtapes and singles;
| Albums | Mixtapes | Singles |
|---|---|---|
| Whitsitt Chapel | The Plain Shmear Tape | Smoking Section |
| Ballads of the Broken | Gamblin' on the White Boy Vol 1 | Hate Goes On |
| Waylon & Willie IV | The Halfway House | Only |
| Self Medicated | Street Flavor | Wheels Fall Off |
| A Beautiful Disaster | House Arrest | I'm on It |
| Crosses and Crossroads | Gamblin' on the White Boy Vol 2 | Save Me |
| Whiskey Sessions III | Gamblin' on a Whiteboy Vol 3 | Call It Quits |
| Goodnight Nashville | The Hate Goes On | Dead Man Walking |
| Waylon & Willie III | Therapeutic Music: The Bipolar Edition | Son of a Sinner |
| Waylon & Willie 2 | Therapeutic Music 2: The Inner Struggle | Need a Favor |
| Waylon & Willie | Deal or No Deal | Wild Ones |
| Addiction Kills | Mr. Controversy | Halfway to Hell |
| No Filter 2 | Eleven On The Come Out | |
| Business As Usual | Gamblin' on a White Boy Vol 4 | |
| No Filter | The Collection | |
| The Big Sal Story | Therapeutic Music 3: Road To Vol. 4 | |
| Strictly Business | Therapeutic Music 4: Just My Thoughts | |
| House Arrest | White Trash Tale | |
| Whiskey Sessions II | Mid-Grade Miracle: The Boston George Story | |
| Sobriety Sucks | Whiskey, Weed & Women | |
| Year Round | Biggest Loser | |
| Therapeutic Music 5 |
Struggles with addiction
Jelly Roll has been open about his past struggles with addiction, particularly to cocaine and alcohol.
He has shared that he initially associated drinking with drug use and had to learn that alcohol could be enjoyed without the need for drugs.
Jelly Roll has also discussed attending meetings occasionally to address his addiction and seeking support from the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program.
Despite his past struggles, he has made significant strides in his recovery and has become a successful country music artist, even earning Grammy nominations in 2024.
Personal life
Jelly Roll has been married to Bunnie Xo since 2016. They have two children, Bailee Ann and Noah, with different women.
Bailee Ann, Jelly Roll’s 15-year-old daughter, often joins him on stage and has recorded a song with him.
On the other hand, Jelly Roll has been more private about his 7-year-old son, Noah, to respect his mother Melisa’s privacy.
Bunnie Xo, a model and host of the Dumb Blonde podcast, plays a significant role in the family.Â
She introduced fans to Noah through TikTok videos and has been praised for her involvement in caring for both Bailee Ann and Noah while Jelly Roll is on tour.
The family dynamic showcases a blend of love, support, and respect for each other’s roles in raising the children.
