Jelly Roll

Overview

Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from Nashville. He started his career in the hip-hop genre before transitioning to a style that blends country, rock, and rap. His music has earned him a significant following, with over 6 million followers on Spotify.

Early life and origins

Jason DeFord, known professionally as Jelly Roll, was born in 1984 and raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. His mother gave him the nickname'Jelly Roll'as a child. Influenced by Southern hip-hop and classic country music, he began his career selling mixtapes. DeFord experienced a difficult youth and was incarcerated multiple times as a teenager and young adult. He has cited the birth of his daughter while he was in prison as the motivation to seriously pursue a career in music.

Career

Jelly Roll began his career as a hip-hop artist, releasing a series of independent mixtapes and albums. He gained an early following through collaborations with other artists in the underground rap scene, including Lil Wyte, with whom he released the 2013 album No Filter. A 2013 mixtape titled Whiskey, Weed & Waffle House resulted in a legal cease and desist from the restaurant chain, leading him to retitle the project Whiskey, Weed & Women. His 2020 album, A Beautiful Disaster, reached the Billboard Independent Albums chart and showcased his developing style blending hip-hop with rock and soul influences.

A significant shift in his career occurred with the 2021 album Ballads of the Broken, which marked his official entry into rock and country music. The album included the single "Dead Man Walking," which topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Another song from the project, "Son of a Sinner," became his debut country single and led to a performance at the Grand Ole Opry and a record deal with BBR Music Group.

"Son of a Sinner" reached No. 1 on country radio charts and was certified double-platinum by the RIAA, cementing his transition into the country and country hip hop genres. His major-label debut album, Whitsitt Chapel, was released in 2023 and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album produced the crossover hit "Need a Favor," which topped both the country and rock airplay charts. A duet version of his song "Save Me" with Lainey Wilson also became a multi-platinum hit.

Jelly Roll's mainstream success was recognized with several major awards. In 2023, he won three CMT Music Awards for "Son of a Sinner" and was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. In 2024, he received two Grammy Award nominations, for Best New Artist and for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Save Me."

Style and influences

Jelly Roll's musical style is characterized by a blend of genres, primarily combining elements of hip hop and country music. He has been described as both a rapper and a country musician, and his work is often categorized under the genres of country and country hip hop.

Recent highlights

Jelly Roll has a significant following on Spotify, with more than 6 million followers. The artist also holds a popularity score of 82 out of 100 on the streaming service, where his music is categorized under the country and country hip hop genres.

Recognition and awards

Jelly Roll received several major awards and nominations in 2023. At that year's CMT Music Awards, he won three awards for his song "Son of a Sinner": Male Video of the Year, Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, and Digital-First Performance of the Year. The Country Music Association named him New Artist of the Year at the 57th CMA Awards. He also received two nominations for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, for Best New Artist and for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Save Me" with Lainey Wilson.

Similar artists

Jelly Roll's music, which blends country and hip-hop positions him alongside other contemporary artists who mix modern country with rock and rap influences. His peers include artists such as Hardy, Bailey Zimmerman, and Morgan Wallen, as well as figures from the country-rap scene like Upchurch.