Jelly Roll

Jason Bradley DeFord (born December 4, 1984), known professionally as Jelly Roll, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter whose music blends hip-hop, country, and rock with deeply personal storytelling. He began his career in 2003, selling mixtapes out of his car and building an underground following inspired by Southern rap acts like Three 6 Mafia, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG. Early projects such as The Plain Shmear Tape and the Gamblin’ on the White Boy series established his raw, confessional style.

Jelly Roll crossed into the mainstream in the early 2020s, scoring his first rock radio No. 1 with “Dead Man Walking” (2022) and his first country radio No. 1 with “Son of a Sinner” (2023). The latter became a breakout hit, winning three CMT Music Awards and helping him earn New Artist of the Year honors at the 2023 CMA Awards, along with a Best New Artist Grammy nomination. His albums Ballads of the Broken and Whitsitt Chapel solidified his crossover success, while sold-out tours and a headline show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena marked his arrival as a major live act.

Beyond music, Jelly Roll has drawn attention for his advocacy and redemption narrative. A former drug dealer, he testified before the U.S. Congress in 2024 in support of anti-fentanyl legislation, emphasizing accountability and recovery. In recent years he has expanded his reach through high-profile collaborations with artists including Eminem, Marshmello, Brandon Lake, and Shaboozey, appearances on Saturday Night Live, and releases such as Beautifully Broken (2024). His career continues to reflect a rare blend of commercial success, genre fluidity, and personal transformation.