Artist Name: Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll (born Jason DeFord) is a genre-bending artist with a remarkable redemption story. The hitmaker best known for smash hits “Need A Favor” and “Dead Man Walking,” was first a chart-topping rapper and seamlessly transformed into a country music mainstay. Jelly Roll was a former addict and drug dealer, who was incarcerated for the first time at age 14. He spent his youth in and out of the juvenile justice system for charges including aggravated robbery and possession with intent to sell. While serving time, the singer-songwriter learned that he was going to be a father. Once he was released, Jelly Roll turned his life around to care for his daughter and sold hip-hop mixtapes out of his car to make ends meet. He quickly became a household name for his spit-fire lyrics, but it wasn’t until “Son Of A Sinner” that he impacted the country genre. The vulnerable ballad peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2023. Most recently, Jelly Roll sold-out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, swept the 2023 CMT Music Awards – Male Video of The Year, Breakthrough Male Video of The Year, and Digital-First Performance of The Year – and dropped his country debut, Whitsitt Chapel. 

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Fandom: Bad Apples. 

Jelly Roll, an American rapper and hip-hop artist, has a strong and intimate relationship with his fandom. Known for his candid and emotionally raw lyrics, Jelly Roll connects deeply with his audience through his music, often sharing personal struggles, triumphs, and life experiences. Jelly Roll's music resonates with many people who have faced similar challenges or hardships in their lives. His honest portrayal of issues such as addiction, mental health, and resilience strikes a chord with listeners, leading to a strong emotional connection between the artist and his fans.

In return, Jelly Roll's fandom is incredibly supportive and passionate. They attend his concerts, buy his music, and actively promote his work to others. Many fans express how Jelly Roll's music has had a profound impact on their lives, providing comfort, inspiration, and a sense of understanding.

Birthdate: December 4, 1984 

Birthplace: Antioch, Tennessee

Family Background: Jelly Roll was raised in a neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. The singer’s childhood was far from traditional, as his mother fell victim to addiction and mental illness. Jelly Roll spent his 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th birthdays incarcerated. He spent approximately six weeks enrolled in high school, before he was forced behind bars. 

Spouses/ Partners: Jelly Roll is married to Bunnie XO. The two have been happily married since Aug. 31, 2016. Bunnie  is a model and the podcaster behind Dumb Blonde, a comedy show.  

Children: Jelly Roll and Bunnie do not have any biological children together. However, Bunnie has full custody of Bailee DeFord, Jelly Roll’s daughter.  Bailee’s mother Felicia gave birth at 16-years-old, when Jelly Roll was serving time. Felicia struggled with drug addiction, but got sober in jail. Felicia is now back in Bailee’s life. 

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Charitable or Philanthropic Activities: Jelly Roll is a friendly giant with a heart of gold. The hitmaker has used his platform to advocate and raise funds for at-risk youth across the nation. According to The Tennessean, Jelly Roll has donated $250,000 to programs helping “incarcerated and underserved” children in music city. Jelly Roll has joined forces with non-profit Impact Youth Outreach, to make a generous contribution towards a recording studio inside Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center. The platinum-selling artist also funds five $10,000 scholarships for graduating seniors and the institution. In December 2022, Jelly Roll held a benefit concert in Nashville, and donated 100 percent of the proceeds to the juvenile center he was once incarcerated in. 

Influences and Role Models:  Jelly Roll  previously told Taste of Country that his biggest musical influences are – Three 6 Mafia, UGK, James Taylor, Bob Seger, Jim Croce, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. 

Photo Credit: @jellyroll615 on Instagram.