Jelly Roll: From Rap Roots to Country Music Stardom | Official Biography
From Rap to Country Stardom After gaining some recognition in rap and hip-hop, Jelly Roll has now emerged as a Grammy-nominated country music sensation. His hits like “Save Me,” “Son of a Sinner,” and “Need a Favor” have catapulted him to stardom.
Jelly Roll Today: Co-Hosting the CMA Fest Concert Special Over a year after his hit Hulu documentary Jelly Roll: Save Me aired, Jelly Roll is set to return to TV. The “Need A Favor” singer is co-hosting a three-hour concert special from CMA Fest alongside Ashley McBryde. This special will be broadcasted on ABC on June 25 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on Hulu starting June 26.
During the Nashville music festival, Jelly Roll performed with Lainey Wilson and Keith Urban, describing the hosting experience as “indescribable.” Growing up in Nashville, he faced personal struggles, including multiple incarcerations. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “The magnitude of the moment really hit me, to be across the street from the juvenile detention center I was in and now be onstage hosting—how do you describe being in the same exact place while being in a place that couldn’t be more different, at the same time?”
Recently, Jelly Roll celebrated his fourth No. 1 hit on the Country Airplay chart with “Halfway to Hell” and released a new song, “I Am Not Okay,” from his upcoming album expected later this year.
Who Is Jelly Roll? Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is known for his hit songs “Son of a Sinner,” “Save Me,” and “Need a Favor.” Embracing an underdog persona, he overcame a tumultuous adolescence and early adulthood filled with incarcerations and drug addiction to achieve his musical dreams. Starting in rap and hip-hop, the Tennessee native has now established himself as a country music star. In November 2023, he was named CMA’s New Artist of the Year and received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Jason Bradley DeFord
- Born: December 4, 1984
- Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
- Spouse: Bunnie Xo (2016-present)
- Children: Bailee and Noah
- Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Early Life Jason Bradley DeFord, known as Jelly Roll, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 4, 1984, and grew up in the Antioch neighborhood. His father, Horace “Buddy” DeFord, ran a wholesale meat business and had a side hustle as a bookie. Jelly Roll has three older half-siblings: brothers Roger and Scott, and a sister named Shelby.
His mother, who struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues, gave him the nickname “Jelly Roll” because he was a chubby kid. She was also the reason he fell in love with music and became a storyteller. Around age 9 or 10, he wrote his first rap song, inspired by the music that moved his mother.
After his parents divorced when he was 13, Jelly Roll felt responsible for taking care of his mom and began selling drugs. He distributed mixtapes of his music along with cocaine sales.
Prison and Drug Addiction Jelly Roll was first arrested at 14 and revealed in his 2023 documentary that he went to jail 40 times for various offenses, including aggravated robbery at 16. Charged as an adult, he faced up to 20 years in prison but served just over a year and received more than seven years of probation. Despite his troubled past, he now uses his experience to inspire others dealing with addiction and incarceration.
At 23, Jelly Roll was in prison for drug dealing when he learned he had become a father. The birth of his daughter, Bailee, became the catalyst for turning his life around. He earned his GED in prison and was released in 2009.
Rap and Hip-Hop Beginnings From 2010 to 2015, Jelly Roll lived out of a van while pursuing a music career. After his release from prison, he uploaded a freestyle rap video on YouTube, which caught the attention of rapper Lil Wyte. They collaborated on the 2011 album Year Round with BPZ, forming the group SNO.
Jelly Roll also released the album Strictly Business with Nashville rapper Haystak, which ranked No. 67 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. He continued to collaborate with other artists, including Struggle Jennings, and released several albums together.
“Save Me” and Ascent to Country Stardom In May 2020, Jelly Roll released “Save Me,” a song without rap elements that showcased his impressive vocals and personal themes. The song caught the attention of music executives, leading to a contract with BMG Nashville. He released his first major studio album, Ballads of the Broken, in September 2021, which included hits like “Dead Man Walking” and “Son of a Sinner.”
Jelly Roll made his Grand Ole Opry debut in November 2021 and won three CMT Music Awards in April 2023. His latest album, Whitsitt Chapel, released in June 2023, reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. He also received five nominations for the CMA Awards in 2023, winning New Artist of the Year.
Personal Life Jelly Roll met his wife, Bunnie Xo, in 2015, and they married in 2016. Bunnie, a successful podcast host, has played a significant role in his family life. Jelly Roll has two children from previous relationships, a daughter named Bailee Ann and a son named Noah. Bunnie helped him gain custody of Bailee after her mother struggled with drug addiction.
Weight Loss Journey Jelly Roll has been open about his weight struggles. In 2016, he made lifestyle changes and lost 200 pounds, although he later gained back some weight. In 2024, he began training for his first 5K race, losing over 70 pounds by April, with plans to lose another 100 pounds. He completed the 5K in May 2024 and aims to run a half marathon next year.
Net Worth As of September 2023, Jelly Roll’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million.
Quotes
- “I want to be a guidepost of hope for people to know that losers can win. That who you were isn’t who you are.”
- “I never lived in the present because I was so haunted by the past, and I think I’m finally starting to let my past go enough that I can actually be present.”
- “Music is like human nature. It evolves or dies. Artists should always be pushing the boundaries of what’s uncomfortable, and I plan to be doing that the rest of my career.”
- “The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason, because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you.”
- “I once heard a man say that you don’t change until the pain to remain the same is greater than the pain it takes to change.”