Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll Bio

Jason Bradley DeFord (born December 4, 1984), known professionally as Jelly Roll, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He began releasing music in 2003 and built a long career in the independent Southern hip-hop scene before crossing into country and rock audiences. His mainstream breakthrough came with the 2022 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor,” and his 2024 album “Beautifully Broken” cemented his place as one of Nashville’s most distinctive storytellers.

Jelly Roll’s music blends Southern hip-hop, country, country rock, and rock elements, and his songs often address struggle, redemption, and faith. He is a multiple CMT Music Award winner, a CMA New Artist of the Year honoree, a three-time Grammy winner, and a K-Love Fan Awards winner. He has also expanded into acting and professional wrestling, appearing on television shows and in the ring for WWE.

Early Life and Background

Jason Bradley DeFord was born and raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, on December 4, 1984. His father worked as a meat salesman and also took on work as a bookie, while his mother struggled with mental illness and addiction. As a child, he earned the nickname “Jelly Roll” from his mother, who used the name because of his love of doughnuts, and a school friend soon began calling him the same. The nickname stuck and eventually became his stage name.

DeFord was baptized at the age of 14, but during that same year he was arrested for the first time, beginning a long and difficult cycle. From his teenage years into his twenties, he was arrested multiple times and spent extended periods incarcerated on charges that included possession with intent to distribute and aggravated robbery. While in prison he studied for and earned his GED at the age of 23, giving him his first formal academic credential.

Path to Music

Jelly Roll launched his professional music career in 2003, drawing inspiration from Southern hip-hop acts such as Three 6 Mafia, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG. He sold mixtapes out of his car and released his first project, “The Plain Shmear Tape,” that same year. Over the following years he built a steady catalog of independent mixtapes and albums, often collaborating with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Haystak, and Tech N9ne.

His 2010 collaboration with Lil Wyte, “Pop Another Pill,” amassed more than 6.3 million views on YouTube and helped expand his audience well beyond Nashville. He also joined the hip-hop group SNO, which released the album “Year Round.” In 2013, his mixtape “Whiskey, Weed, & Women” drew attention after its original title and cover, which referenced Waffle House, led the chain to threaten legal action, forcing a last-minute change. Through steady independent work, Jelly Roll built a loyal fan base that would later fuel his country crossover.

Jelly Roll Career

Early Career (2003–2020)

For nearly two decades, Jelly Roll built his reputation through independent hip-hop releases and relentless touring. He released a string of mixtapes, including the four-part “Gamblin’ on the White Boy” series from 2004 to 2011, and formed a creative partnership with Lil Wyte that produced several well-known collaborations. His independent work earned respect across the Southern rap scene and laid the foundation for the wider crossover success that followed.

Throughout the 2010s, he continued to release solo projects and collaborations while performing at clubs, festivals, and regional venues across the United States. His independent labels, including Slumerican, gave him the freedom to keep producing music on his own terms. By the early 2020s, he had a devoted audience that made the leap to country radio possible.

Breakthrough (2021–2023)

Jelly Roll made his Grand Ole Opry debut on November 9, 2021, signaling his arrival in the country mainstream. On May 9, 2022, he reached his first number one on rock radio with “Dead Man Walking.” Months later, on December 9, 2022, he sold out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for 15,000 fans, sharing the stage with guests including Chris Young, Sam Hunt, Riley Green, Shinedown, Ernest, Struggle Jennings, Tech N9ne, and Krizz Kaliko.

In January 2023, his debut country single “Son of a Sinner,” co-written with Ernest and David Ray Stevens, became his first number one on country radio and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The following month, he set a record with his 25th week at number one on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. In the summer of 2023, he completed a 44-city “Backroad Baptism Tour.” At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, “Son of a Sinner” won Male Video of the Year, Male Breakthrough Video of the Year, and Digital-First Performance of the Year.

He released his ninth studio album, “Whitsitt Chapel,” on June 2, 2023, featuring the single “Need a Favor.” In November 2023, he won the New Artist of the Year award at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards and was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. In January 2024, he testified before the United States Senate in support of anti-fentanyl legislation, drawing on his past as a former distributor of illegal drugs.

Continued Success (2024–2025)

Jelly Roll expanded into acting with a television debut on “Tulsa King” alongside Sylvester Stallone in September 2024, followed by a role as Noah on “Fire Country.” He also voiced a character in the animated sports film “Goat” and contributed the song “I’m Good” to its soundtrack. In July 2024, he was featured on Eminem’s twelfth album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),” on the track “Somebody Save Me,” which sampled his song “Save Me.” His tenth studio album, “Beautifully Broken,” was released on October 11, 2024.

In September 2024, he became the first musical guest of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live,” performing “Liar” and “Winning Streak.” He later appeared on “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” performing a Johnny Cash medley and joining Snoop Dogg for “Last Dance with Mary Jane.” In November 2024, he released “Run It” for the “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” soundtrack. In 2025, his collaboration with Brandon Lake on “Hard Fought Hallelujah” won Song of the Year at the K-Love Fan Awards, and he appeared on Shaboozey’s “Amen,” released April 25, 2025. He released the single “Holy Water” with Marshmello on August 8, 2025.

Notable Works and Milestones

Signature Jelly Roll releases include “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor,” and the album “Beautifully Broken.” His milestone moments include selling out Bridgestone Arena, winning three CMT Music Awards in 2023, taking home the CMA New Artist of the Year honor in 2023, and earning three Grammy wins at the 2026 Grammys for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with Brandon Lake, and Best Contemporary Country Album for “Beautifully Broken.” On December 18, 2025, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted him a pardon for his prior convictions.

Jelly Roll Award Nominations

Jelly Roll has earned nominations across country, rock, and gospel categories throughout his career. He was nominated for Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024. Additional nominations have accompanied his CMT, CMA, and K-Love recognitions as the industry has acknowledged his crossover reach.

Jelly Roll Awards Won

Jelly Roll has won multiple major awards across country, rock, and Christian music. He took home three CMT Music Awards in 2023 for “Son of a Sinner,” the CMA New Artist of the Year honor in 2023, the K-Love Fan Awards Song of the Year in 2025, and three Grammy Awards at the 2026 ceremony. His Grammy wins included Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with Brandon Lake, and Best Contemporary Country Album for “Beautifully Broken.”

Jelly Roll Family

Jelly Roll was raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. His father worked as a meat salesman and also took on work as a bookie, and his mother struggled with mental illness and addiction. These early family experiences, including his mother’s choice of his childhood nickname, helped shape both his personal story and the themes that run through his music.

Personal Life

Jelly Roll married Alisa DeFord, who is also known as “Bunnie XO,” in 2016, and the couple renewed their vows in 2023. He has two children from previous relationships, a daughter and a son, and he and Bunnie XO share full custody of his daughter. He has also spoken publicly about returning to his Christian faith at age 39, inspired by his daughter’s interest in being baptized. He owns two homes in Orlando, Florida, where he has trained in professional wrestling at the WWE Performance Center, and he received a pardon from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on December 18, 2025, for his prior convictions.