He has swiftly established himself as a brilliant new talent, straddling country, rock, and rap. For him, music is a purpose and a means of atonement rather than just a means of support for a living.
Photos From the Billboard Cover Shoot, Jelly Roll
June 1, 2023
In January 1999, at the age of 14, Jason DeFord was baptized at Whitsitt Chapel Baptist Church in Antioch, Tennessee. However, shortly after, he began a cycle of incarceration for various crimes. Over the next ten years, he moved in and out of correctional facilities for offenses such as robbery and drug dealing.
Today, at 38 years old, DeFord, known as Jelly Roll, reflects on his remarkable journey. Despite his troubled past, he has become a successful and influential artist, reaching high positions on the Billboard charts in rap, rock, and even country music. He has performed at the esteemed Grand Ole Opry and is grateful for the opportunity to return to Whitsitt Chapel after many years.
Jelly Roll’s album, Whitsitt Chapel, released on June 2, shares his search for redemption and refuge in a world filled with sin and struggle. His lyrics convey the pain and shattered dreams he has experienced. He believes that country music is about expressing honest truths, quoting a famous songwriter who described it as “three chords and the solid truth.”
Jelly Roll’s personal story is also evident in his appearance, with tattoos covering his face. Each tattoo carries meaning, such as his children’s names and symbols representing his fans. He refers to himself as a “Music Man,” highlighting the central role that music played in his journey.
Music was always Jelly Roll’s passion, and he began writing rap lyrics at a young age. By eighth grade, he was distributing mixtapes of his music. However, his involvement in the street life and his desire for a hustle led him into trouble. Despite his criminal activities, he never completely abandoned his music. In fact, he even distributed his mixtapes to his cocaine customers.
At the age of 16, Jelly Roll committed a serious crime, aggravated robbery, and was charged as an adult. He expresses remorse for his actions and recognizes the potential harm that could have occurred. However, he also criticizes the lack of rehabilitation opportunities he received within the judicial system at such a young age. He served over a year for the charge and faced more than seven years of probation.
The consequences of his criminal record continue to affect him. Tennessee’s zero-tolerance policy for non-violent offenders means that the charge remains on his record, limiting his opportunities. He faces restrictions such as being unable to vote, volunteer at most nonprofits, own a firearm, and, until recently, obtain a passport for international tours.
Despite these challenges, Jelly Roll has been able to break through the barriers that once seemed insurmountable . He has collaborated with renowned artists like Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde, and his career has soared with numerous chart-topping hits. However, he acknowledges that he can never escape his past and often reflects on the fact that one can’t forget where they come from.
Overall, Jelly Roll’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and the power of music to transform lives. He has overcome a troubled past to achieve success in the music industry, but he remains grounded, aware of his journey, and grateful for the opportunities he has been given.
Jelly Roll, a country artist, arrived at the Grand Ole Opry on April 20, a day widely celebrated by cannabis enthusiasts. He openly admits to being high and mentions that the day doesn’t change that fact. The Grand Ole Opry holds a special place in Jelly’s heart even before his debut there in November 2021. While incarcerated in 2009, he scraped together money to see Craig Morgan perform at the Opry. Hearing Morgan play his song “Almost Home” brought him to tears and solidified his desire to make people feel the same way through his music.
Jelly Roll acknowledges his use of cannabis and mentions that it helps with his mental health and anxiety, considering it bette r than Xanax. He has even launched his own cannabis line called Bad Apple. He has made efforts to reduce his drinking and has stopped using harmful drugs like cocaine, pain pills, and codeine. However, the people from his past, particularly his friends in Antioch, continue to struggle with drug addiction, leading to deaths and incarcerations. He attends funerals for friends who have died, mainly due to drugs.
While Jelly experienced success at the CMT Awards, winning all three categories for which he was nominated, it was a bittersweet week. He had recently lost a friend to a fentanyl overdose and couldn’t attend the funeral because of work commitments.
Jelly Roll describes his life as a mix of his roots in Antioch and his new celebrity connections. He values his old connections and wants to help, but he has had to distance himself from friends who are still involved in a risky lifestyle. He mentions accepting collect calls from friends in jail and bonding them out but acknowledges the need for boundaries. He recently got rid of his cellphone to make a clean break and only shares his new number with a select few.
At 23, while in jail for drug dealing, Jelly had a life- changing moment when he learned he had become a father. This inspired him to turn his life around, and he pursued education while incarcerated. He eventually passed his GED exam, which surprised him as he had spent very little time in high school. After his release, he met his daughter on her second birthday and has since built a stable life with his wife, Bunnie, and their children.
Jelly Roll’s music career began in rap, and he Independently released albums and collaborated with other artists. He started making appearances on Billboard charts, including the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Over time, he transitioned to country music and found success with his unique blend of rap and soulful, melodic singing. His breakthrough in country music came with the release of the song “Save Me,” which received attention from record labels.
Jelly Roll’s authenticity and ability to capture the truth of the moment have earned him respect in the country music industry. He remains committed to maintaining control over his creativity and masters, and he has formed a fair partnership with BMG Nashville.
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