Jelly Roll biography:Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, is a multi-genre artist known for blending country, rap, and rock music. Born on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee, he grew up in a challenging environment marked by poverty and crime. His father worked as a butcher, while his mother struggled with mental health and addiction issues. These experiences deeply influenced his music, which often explores themes of struggle, redemption, and hope.
Jelly Roll began his music career in the mid-2000s, collaborating with artists like Lil Wyte and releasing his debut album, Halfway House, in 2008. Over the years, he gained popularity with hits like “Save Me,” “Son of a Sinner,” and “Dead Man Walking.” His ability to mix heartfelt lyrics with diverse musical styles has earned him recognition across multiple genres, including hip-hop and country.
He is married to Bunnie DeFord (Bunnie XO), a model and entrepreneur. Together, they raise two children: Bailee, from a previous relationship, and Noah. Bunnie played a significant role in helping Jelly Roll gain custody of Bailee, and their family life has been a source of inspiration for him.
Jelly Roll’s journey includes overcoming personal challenges, such as time spent in juvenile detention, addiction, and obesity. He has used these struggles to connect with his audience and inspire others, describing himself as a “beacon of hope.” Today, he continues to create music, tour, and advocate for mental health and community support.
Bio Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Jason DeFord |
| Stage Name | Jelly Roll |
| Date of Birth | December 4, 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| Genres | Country, Rap, Rock |
| Notable Songs | “Save Me,” “Son of a Sinner,” “Dead Man Walking,” “Wheels Fall Off” |
| Career Start | Mid-2000s, with the release of Halfway House in 2008 |
| Achievements | Winner of “Music Event of the Year” at the 2024 AMC Awards; Top-nominated male artist at the 2023 CMA Awards |
| Personal Struggles | Overcame addiction, incarceration, and obesity; spent time in juvenile detention and later inspired youth through his story |
| Family | Married to Bunnie DeFord (Bunnie XO) since 2016; two children: Bailee and Noah |
| Spouse’s Role | Bunnie helped Jelly Roll gain custody of Bailee and supported his rise to stability |
| Inspirations | Challenges from his upbringing, his passion for rap discovered in juvenile detention, and his love for country music |
| Philanthropy | Engages with at-risk youth and promotes mental health awareness |
| Health Milestones | Lost significant weight and completed a 5K run in 2024 |
| Breakthrough | Collaboration with Lil Wyte and the viral track “Pop Another Pill” |
| Current Status | Continues to produce music blending heartfelt storytelling with multi-genre appeal |
Hardship, Early Life And Self-discovery
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Born in Nashville, Tennessee, in a poor neighborhood known for high crime and drug activity |
| Family Background | His father was a butcher, and his mother struggled with mental illness and addiction |
| Education | Dropped out of school at a young age due to involvement in criminal activities |
| Juvenile Detention | First incarcerated at age 14 and spent 18 months in juvenile detention, where he discovered a love for rap music |
| Early Struggles | Engaged in drug dealing and criminal behavior, leading to multiple arrests and imprisonments |
| Turning Point | Radio in detention introduced him to music, inspiring him to pursue rapping as a form of expression |
| Mentorship | Formed a meaningful connection with Robert C. Sherill, who encouraged him to focus on creative arts and community support |
| Musical Beginnings | Used personal experiences with crime and addiction to create authentic, relatable music |
This early period of hardship and self-discovery shaped Jelly Roll’s music, which emphasizes themes of redemption and resilience.
Career Path
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Musical Start | Began his career in the mid-2000s with collaborations in the hip-hop scene, releasing his debut album Halfway House (2008) |
| Breakthrough | Gained popularity with “Pop Another Pill” (2010) in collaboration with Lil Wyte, amassing millions of views on YouTube |
| Genre Expansion | Transitioned from hip-hop to include country and rock influences, crafting a unique multi-genre style |
| Key Albums | Released notable albums like Addiction Kills (2017), A Beautiful Disaster (2020), and Ballads of the Broken (2021) |
| Popular Songs | Known for hits like “Save Me,” “Son of a Sinner,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “Bottle and Mary Jane” |
| Chart Success | Achieved success on both the Country Airplay and Mainstream Rock charts, reflecting his cross-genre appeal |
| Collaborations | Worked with Struggle Jennings, Lil Wyte, Tech N9ne, and others, blending storytelling with diverse musical influences |
| Award Recognition | Became the top-nominated male artist at the 2023 CMA Awards, winning “Music Event of the Year” in 2024 |
| Live Performances | Performed at notable venues like the Grand Ole Opry and Bridgestone Arena, earning acclaim from country music peers |
| Philanthropy | Frequently gives back to his community, mentoring at-risk youth and advocating for mental health awareness |
Jelly Roll’s career is marked by his ability to merge personal struggles with authentic storytelling, enabling him to resonate with diverse audiences across genres.
Personal Life And Relationship
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Marriage | Married Bunnie DeFord (known as Bunnie XO) in 2016. She is a model, podcast host, and entrepreneur |
| Spouse’s Influence | Bunnie played a pivotal role in helping Jelly Roll gain custody of his daughter, Bailee, and provided stability to their family |
| Children | Has two children: Bailee (from a previous relationship) and Noah (born in 2016) |
| Parenting Challenges | Faced difficulties raising Bailee as her father was incarcerated at her birth, and her mother struggled with addiction |
| Family Focus | Credits Bunnie for supporting his journey to financial and emotional stability, allowing him to be a better father |
| Early Relationships | Jelly Roll had children from previous relationships before marrying Bunnie |
| Therapeutic Approach | Used his success to invest in therapy for himself and Bailee to heal from past trauma and break cycles of instability |
| Current Family Life | The family is thriving, with Bunnie acting as a supportive partner in both personal and professional spheres |
Jelly Roll’s personal life reflects his commitment to breaking generational cycles of hardship, supported by his wife, Bunnie, and his determination to provide a stable and loving environment for his children.
Total Asset
Jelly Roll’s net worth is estimated to be between $4 million and $12 million as of 2024. This wealth comes from his successful career as a rapper, singer, and songwriter. He earns through album sales, streaming, live performances, merchandise, and collaborations with artists like Tech N9ne and Struggle Jennings. His recent ventures into country music, with hits like “Son of a Sinner”, have significantly boosted his financial success.
Controversies
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Criminal Past | Jelly Roll’s earlier life involved drug dealing and multiple incarcerations. While these experiences shaped his music, they also attracted criticism |
| Weight and Body Image | Faced public bullying on social media regarding his weight, leading him to take a break from online platforms in 2024 to focus on self-care |
| Criticism of Transition | Some fans criticized his transition from rap to country and rock, questioning his authenticity as a country artist |
| Past Associations | His collaborations with controversial artists in the hip-hop world earlier in his career drew scrutiny when he entered the mainstream country scene |
| Candid Lyrics | His unfiltered and raw lyrics about addiction, crime, and mental health occasionally sparked debates about glorifying negative themes |
While Jelly Roll’s career is not devoid of controversy, his openness about his struggles and transformation resonates with his fans, turning criticism into conversations about redemption and growth.
Future Aspiration
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Musical Evolution | Jelly Roll aims to continue blending country, rock, and rap, further bridging genres and reaching diverse audiences |
| Collaborations | Aspires to work with more mainstream and legendary artists across various genres to expand his creative reach |
| Philanthropy | Plans to expand his efforts in mentoring at-risk youth, supporting juvenile reform initiatives, and promoting mental health awareness |
| Family Goals | Focuses on maintaining a stable and supportive environment for his children and wife, emphasizing family as a top priority |
| Health and Well-being | Committed to improving his physical and mental health, continuing his fitness journey after completing his first 5K in 2024 |
| Cultural Legacy | Aspires to be remembered as a “beacon of hope,” using his platform to inspire others to overcome personal challenges |
| Long-Term Vision | Wants to cement his legacy as a versatile and authentic artist who transformed personal struggles into meaningful music |
Jelly Roll’s future aspirations reflect his dedication to artistic growth, community impact, and personal development, solidifying his status as a transformative figure in the music industry.
Nominated For Three CMA Award In 2024
Jelly Roll received three nominations at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. He was nominated in the following categories:
- Entertainer of the Year – Competing alongside Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson.
- Male Vocalist of the Year – In the running with Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen.
- Album of the Year for Whitsitt Chapel – The album was produced by a team including Andrew Baylis and Zach Crowell and mixed by Jeff Braun and Jim Cooley
These nominations highlight Jelly Roll’s growing influence and recognition in country music, particularly following the success of his heartfelt and genre-blending work. The 2024 CMA Awards took place on November 20, 2024, featuring performances by some of the industry’s biggest.
Notable Songs
list of notable songs by Jelly Roll
- Save Me
- Son of a Sinner
- Need a Favor
- She
- Dead Man Walking
- Creature (ft. Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko)
- Bottle and Mary Jane
- Hate Goes On
- Only
- Same A**hole
Let me know if you’d like a longer list or more details about specific songs!
Here’s a table summarizing Jelly Roll’s key awards and upcoming tour details for 2024
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMT Music Awards | 2023 | Male Video of the Year | For “Son of a Sinner.” |
| iHeartRadio Music Awards | 2024 | Best Collaboration | “Save Me” (with Lainey Wilson). |
| SESAC Nashville Music Awards | 2024 | Songwriter of the Year | Recognized for his songwriting contributions |
2024 Beautifully Broken Tour Highlights
| Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| August 27 | Salt Lake City, UT | Delta Center |
| September 27 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| October 11 | Chicago, IL | United Center |
| November 12 | Omaha, NE | CHI Health Center Arena |
| November 23 | Jacksonville, FL | Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena |
This marks Jelly Roll’s largest tour to date, with performances at major venues like Madison Square Garden, reflecting his rising prominence in the music industry.
Epilogue
Jelly Roll’s life is a testament to transformation, resilience, and the power of music. Born Jason DeFord in Antioch, Tennessee, he overcame a troubled past marked by incarceration and addiction to carve out a unique space in the music world. Starting with underground hip-hop, Jelly Roll evolved into a genre-bending artist, blending rap, rock, and country into deeply personal songs that resonate with fans worldwide.
With multiple awards, including recognition at the CMT and iHeartRadio Music Awards, and high-profile performances at venues like Madison Square Garden, his career continues to soar. Beyond his music, Jelly Roll advocates for second chances, dedicating time to charity and mental health awareness. His journey, alongside his wife, Bunnie XO, is a powerful reminder that redemption is possible for anyone. As he looks to the future, Jelly Roll remains an inspiring voice for those seeking hope and change.
