Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll: Country Music Star Nominated for Multiple 2024 CMA Awards

Jelly Roll is poised for a significant moment at the 58th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, set to take place on November 20. The acclaimed singer is nominated in three categories, including the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award. He faces competition from fellow nominees Lainey Wilson, the reigning champion, as well as Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and Luke Combs.

Since making a successful transition from rap to country music in 2021, Jelly Roll has swiftly ascended in the country music scene. Last year, he was honored as CMA’s New Artist of the Year. This year, his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, has been nominated for Album of the Year following its impressive debut at No. 2 on Billboard’s country album chart. Additionally, the 39-year-old artist has received a second nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year.

Who Is Jelly Roll?

Jelly Roll, a distinguished singer-songwriter, is renowned for his hit songs such as “Son of a Sinner,” “Save Me,” and “Need a Favor.” His journey to success is marked by a compelling underdog story, overcoming a challenging past that included periods of incarceration and struggles with addiction. This turbulent history has significantly influenced his music, adding depth and authenticity to his work. Initially gaining recognition in rap and hip-hop, the Tennessee native has successfully transitioned into country music. In November 2023, Jelly Roll was honored as CMA’s New Artist of the Year and received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Early Life

Jason Bradley DeFord, professionally known as Jelly Roll, was born on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee. Raised in the Antioch neighborhood of the city, Jelly Roll grew up in a family deeply involved in local business and personal struggles. His father, Horace “Buddy” DeFord, managed a wholesale meat business and operated as a bookie on the side. Jelly Roll has three older half-siblings: brothers Roger and Scott, and a sister named Shelby.

Jelly Roll’s mother, whose name remains private, battled drug addiction and mental health issues. She affectionately gave him his nickname, which later became his stage name, due to his chubby appearance as a child. His mother’s struggles and her influence played a significant role in shaping his passion for music and storytelling.

At approximately age nine or ten, Jelly Roll composed his first rap song. Reflecting on his early inspiration, he shared in a May 2022 interview with the Bobby Bones Show, “I just remember thinking, ‘I want to make music that makes people feel like this music makes my mother feel.’” By the eighth grade, he was already distributing mixtapes of his music in high school parking lots.

Following his parents’ divorce when he was thirteen, Jelly Roll assumed a sense of responsibility for his mother’s well-being. This period marked a shift towards selling drugs to provide financial support. As he recounted, “When [my father] left, I was like, ‘Somebody’s got to do what he was doing, at least trying to figure out some money.’” Additionally, it was reported by Billboard that he included free mixtapes with his drug sales.

Despite the challenges, Jelly Roll maintained a close bond with his father, who passed away from cancer in March 2019. He credits Buddy with instilling in him a strong stance against racism and imparting important lessons on self-respect and maturity.

Prison and Drug Addiction: The Journey of Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll, the renowned artist, first encountered the criminal justice system at the age of 14. In the 2023 documentary Jelly Roll: Save Me, he disclosed that he had been arrested 40 times for various offenses. One of the most severe charges he faced was aggravated robbery at the age of 16. Tried as an adult, he was confronted with a potential 20-year prison sentence but ultimately served just over a year and was sentenced to more than seven years of probation. Reflecting on his early experiences, Jelly Roll remarked to Billboard, “I hadn’t hit my last growth spurt. I was charged as an adult years before I could buy a beer, lease an apartment, or get a pack of cigarettes. I feel like the justice system at that point kind of parked me on my only set path.”

Due to Tennessee’s stringent zero-tolerance policy for violent offenders, this charge remains on his record, restricting his ability to vote, volunteer with nonprofits, or possess a firearm.

In addition to his legal troubles, Jelly Roll has openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse, including cough syrup, Xanax, and cocaine. His experiences with addiction have led him to engage with rehabilitation facilities, where he now works to educate and inspire others facing similar challenges.

At the age of 23, Jelly Roll was imprisoned for drug dealing. During his incarceration on May 22, 2008, he received news from a correctional officer that he had become a father. He attributes the birth of his daughter, Bailee, as a pivotal moment in his life. In an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, he described this revelation as a transformative experience, stating, “It’s like a Damascus Road experience in the Bible. I immediately was like, ‘I’ve got to do something. I’ve got to quit this s—. I’ve got to figure it out.’”

Shortly after this turning point, Jelly Roll was moved to the education unit of the prison, where he earned his GED. He was released in 2009, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Early Career in Rap and Hip-Hop

Between 2010 and 2015, Jelly Roll dedicated himself to his music career while living out of a van. Following his release from prison, he posted a video titled “10 Minute Freestyle” on YouTube, where he rapped about his experiences with drug dealing, incarceration, and other aspects of his past. This video garnered the attention of rapper Lil Wyte, who was in the process of establishing his own record label. Wyte, impressed by Jelly Roll’s talent, invited him to collaborate on the 2011 album Year Round, alongside fellow rapper BPZ, under the collective name SNO.

Jelly Roll credits Wyte as one of the first to recognize his potential as a singer. In an interview with HipHopDx, Jelly Roll recalled Wyte’s guidance: “I’ll never forget Wyte looking at me and going: ‘That’s what you need to do.’” Initially, Jelly Roll was unaware of the technical aspects of music, but Wyte’s encouragement helped him to understand and develop his skills.

In 2011, Jelly Roll’s collaboration with Nashville rapper Haystak on the album Strictly Business achieved a modest ranking of No. 67 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. He furthered his success by working with Wyte again on the 2013 album No Filter, which reached No. 17 on the Top Rap Albums chart. In 2017, Jelly Roll joined forces with friend Struggle Jennings for the album Waylon & Willie, a tribute to Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. This project led to a series of three additional releases over the following three years.

Although Jelly Roll occasionally included singing in his work, he was initially reluctant to dedicate an entire track to it. This would later change with the release of one of his most successful songs.

“Save Me” and Ascent to Country Stardom

Released on YouTube in May 2020, “Save Me” marked a pivotal moment in Jelly Roll’s career, showcasing his transition from rap to country music. The song, notable for its deeply personal exploration of hopelessness and Jelly Roll’s exceptional vocal performance, quickly caught the attention of industry executives. Jon Loba, President of BMG Nashville, praised the track, stating, “I saw that pain, vulnerability, that tenderness. I loved his vocal. I just said, ‘That’s a country song.’ I was convinced his storytelling, his heart, and his brand would be accepted by our genre.”

Following this breakthrough, Jelly Roll signed with BMG, joining a roster that includes prominent country artists such as Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and Lainey Wilson. His mainstream success followed rapidly. In September 2021, he released his debut major studio album, Ballads of the Broken, which featured singles like “Dead Man Walking” and “Son of a Sinner.” The latter achieved notable success, debuting on the Country Airplay chart in March 2022 and reaching the top spot in January 2023.

On November 9, 2021, Jelly Roll made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, solidifying his status as an emerging country star. By February 2023, he had spent an unprecedented 25 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. His accolades continued to grow with three CMT Music Awards in April, including Breakthrough Male Video of the Year for “Son of a Sinner,” and he launched a 44-city Backroad Baptism Tour across the United States.

In June 2023, Jelly Roll released Whitsitt Chapel, which quickly climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and featured a revised version of “Save Me” with Lainey Wilson. The duo performed this track at the ACM Awards and the American Idol season finale.

By September 2023, Jelly Roll had garnered five CMA Award nominations, including Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. He won New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards on November 8 in Nashville, delivering a viral acceptance speech that resonated with many. “There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby. I want to tell you success is on the other side of it. I want to tell you that 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!” he remarked.

Jelly Roll also earned his first Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his collaboration with Lainey Wilson on “Save Me.” Although he did not win at the Grammys, he achieved significant success at the CMT Awards in April 2024, winning three awards, including Video of the Year for “Need a Favor.”

In September 2024, Jelly Roll received three CMA Award nominations, including the prestigious Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (for the second consecutive year), and Album of the Year for Whitsitt Chapel.

Family Background

In 2015, Jelly Roll met model Bunnie Xo after his concert at the Country Saloon in Las Vegas. Despite Bunnie being in a relationship at the time, they stayed in touch and began dating shortly thereafter. On August 31, 2016, Jelly Roll proposed to Bunnie during a Yelawolf and Deftones concert in Las Vegas, and they were married at a nearby courthouse that evening.

Bunnie Xo, who has garnered acclaim as the host of the popular Dumb Blonde podcast since 2019, has significantly contributed to Jelly Roll’s family dynamics. Prior to their marriage, Jelly Roll fathered two children from previous relationships: a daughter named Bailee Ann and a son named Noah.

Jelly Roll first learned about Bailee’s birth in May 2008 while incarcerated. He met her for the first time on her second birthday in 2010. Her mother, Felicia, initially withheld access to Bailee until Jelly Roll could prove a consistent presence in her life. Following their marriage, Bunnie played a crucial role in helping Jelly Roll gain custody of Bailee after Felicia struggled with addiction and legal issues. Despite these challenges, the family has maintained amicable relationships, with Bunnie even inviting Felicia to appear on an episode of Dumb Blonde in 2020.

As a teenager, Bailee has followed in her father’s footsteps, pursuing a career in music. She has appeared in Jelly Roll’s “Tears Could Talk” music video and has performed the song with him at live shows.

Jelly Roll’s son, Noah, was born in August 2016. Jelly Roll has typically kept details about Noah private to respect his mother, Melisa. However, during an August 2023 interview on the Taste of Country Nights podcast, he shared, “With Bailee, I’m the full-time parent—I’m the judge, the jury, and the executioner when it comes to decisions with her. And it’s way more of a co-parenting… actually, it’s way more of me just supporting [Melisa] when it comes to my son, so I try not to ever get in the way of what she’s building over there.” Bunnie is actively involved in Noah’s life and introduced him to fans through a TikTok video in July 2023.

In June 2024, Bunnie and Jelly Roll announced they are exploring the possibility of expanding their family through in vitro fertilization.

Weight Loss

Jelly Roll has been open about his journey with weight management. He disclosed that he weighed over 500 pounds as recently as 2015. In August 2018, Jelly Roll shared on Instagram that he had made significant lifestyle changes in 2016, resulting in a weight loss of 200 pounds, though he later regained 60 pounds. He expressed his desire to fully embrace life, saying, “I want to sky dive, bungee jump, ride a bull, parasail, ride roller coasters. I want to LIVE a normal life and have a normal relationship with food.”

In February 2024, Jelly Roll announced he had begun training for his first 5K race. By April, he had lost over 70 pounds and aims to lose an additional 100 pounds. He noted, “I’ve been really kicking ass, man. I’m doing two to three miles a day, four to six days a week,” and also mentioned incorporating sauna sessions and healthier eating into his routine.

Jelly Roll successfully completed the 5K in May 2024 and plans to undertake a half marathon next year.

Net Worth

As of September 2023, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Jelly Roll’s total net worth to be approximately $4 million.