Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll (born Jason DeFord) is a rapper and country singer-songwriter known for blending hip-hop and Southern rock influences with deeply personal lyrics that helped propel him to mainstream country stardom. Born and raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, Jelly Roll had a turbulent childhood marked by legal trouble and time in juvenile detention. He attended Antioch High School and chose to pursue a career in music throughout his teens and early 20s. His early life and struggles later became central themes in his songwriting.

Jelly Roll began his music career in the early 2010s within the hip-hop scene, releasing independent mixtapes and collaborating with Southern rappers. He gained online traction through projects such as Whiskey, Weed & Women (2013). Over time, his sound evolved, incorporating country and rock elements that resonated with a wider audience. His crossover success accelerated as his fan base expanded beyond hip-hop, marked by releases like Ballads of the Broken (2021) and Whitsitt Chapel (2023), which featured songs including “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.”

The multihyphenate has earned multiple CMT Music Awards and won New Artist of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards. He also received multiple Grammy nominations, including the nomination for Best New Artist in 2024.

Jelly Roll married podcaster and entrepreneur Bunnie Xo in 2016. He has two children from previous relationships: daughter Bailee (born in 2008) and son Noah (born in 2016). In May 2026, he filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. The proceedings were finalized that July.