Jelly Roll | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Jason Bradley DeFord [1] [2] |
Also known as | JellyRoll |
Born | [3] Antioch, Tennessee, U.S. [1] | December 4, 1984
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Discography | Jelly Roll discography |
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels |
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Spouse | Bunnie DeFord (m. 2016) |
Children | 2 |
Website | jellyroll615 |
Jason Bradley DeFord (born December 4, 1984), known professionally as Jelly Roll (originally stylized as JellyRoll), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Beginning his career in 2003, he rose to mainstream prominence following the release of his 2022 singles "Son of a Sinner" and "Need a Favor".
"Son of a Sinner" won three CMT Music Awards in 2023. [5] That same year, he won for New Artist at the CMA Awards, and was nominated for Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
DeFord was born and raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. [6] [7] His father was a meat salesman and worked as a bookie on the side; his mother suffered from mental illness and addiction. [8]
From his teenage years into his 20s, DeFord was arrested several times and spent time in jail for various charges and felonies including possession with intent to distribute and aggravated robbery. [9] [8] While imprisoned, he earned his GED at the age of 23. [8]
Jelly Roll launched his career in hip-hop after being inspired by rappers such as Three 6 Mafia, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG. He sold mixtapes out of his car, [8] starting with a string of releases from his first project The Plain Shmear Tape in 2003 then following with the four part Gamblin' on the White Boy series from 2004 to 2011. His 2010 collaboration "Pop Another Pill" with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte reached over 6.3 million YouTube views. [10] This song led to the album Year Round by the hip-hop group SNO, of which Jelly Roll was a member. Over the next few years, Jelly Roll released many mixtapes and independent solo albums including collaborations with Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Haystak, and Tech N9ne. [11] Jelly Roll's 2013 mixtape Whiskey, Weed, & Women was originally named Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House, [6] but was later changed after Waffle House threatened legal action over the use of their name and logo on the cover. The replacement cover featured a "cease and desist" stamp in place of the restaurant's logo. [12] [13]
Jelly Roll made his Grand Ole Opry debut on November 9, 2021. [14] On July 7, 2022, he was invited by fellow country singer Craig Morgan to join him on stage at the Opry to perform "Almost Home". [15] On May 9, 2022, Jelly Roll scored his first number one on rock radio with the track "Dead Man Walking". [16] In January 2023, Jelly Roll scored his first number-one song on country radio with his debut country single "Son of a Sinner", written by himself, Ernest, and David Ray Stevens. The track was the second single from his eighth studio album Ballads of the Broken and also peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. [17] In February 2023, he made history with a record-breaking 25th week at number 1 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart. [18] Jelly Roll sold out Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on December 9, 2022, to 15,000 fans and was joined by Chris Young, Sam Hunt, Riley Green, Shinedown, Ernest, Struggle Jennings, Tech N9ne, and Krizz Kaliko. [19] In the summer of 2023, he completed a 44-city 'Backroad Baptism Tour'. [20] At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, Jelly Roll won for Male Video of the Year, Male Breakthrough Video of the Year, and Digital-First Performance of the Year, all for the song "Son of a Sinner". [21] [22]
Jelly Roll released his ninth studio album Whitsitt Chapel featuring the single "Need a Favor" on June 2, 2023. [23] In November 2023, Jelly Roll won the award for New Artist of the Year at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards. In January 2024, Jelly Roll testified before the U.S. Congress, in support of anti-fentanyl legislation. [24] Explaining his perspective as a former distributor of illegal drugs, Jelly Roll stated before the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee “I was a part of the problem. I am here now, standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution". [25]
In April 2024, Jelly Roll was sued by Pennsylvania-based wedding band Jellyroll for trademark infringement. [26] The case was later settled out of court. [27] In June 2024, he appeared in the country music documentary Rebel Country . The film opens with a reenactment of his arrest in Tennessee. [28] [29] In July 2024, Jelly Roll was featured on Eminem's twelfth album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) on the track "Somebody Save Me", which sampled his song "Save Me". He appeared in its music video released the following month. [30] On July 8, Jelly Roll made his first international appearance at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario. [31] On August 23, 2024, Jelly Roll announced his tenth studio album Beautifully Broken . It was released on October 11, 2024. [32]
Jelly Roll made his television debut on the television drama series Tulsa King with Sylvester Stallone. The episode was released in September 2024 and featured Jelly Roll performing a rendition of "I Am Not Okay". [33]
On September 28, 2024, Jelly Roll was the first musical guest of the 50th season of Saturday Night Live performing "Liar" and "Winning Streak." [34] [35]
On November 22, 2024, Jelly Roll released the song "Run It", from the soundtrack of the upcoming film Sonic the Hedgehog 3 . [36]
On December 3, 2024, Jelly Roll released a music video of the song, promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with new footage and a sneak peek of what the credits could look like.
Jelly Roll has been married to his wife Alyssa DeFord, known as "Bunnie XO", since 2016. The couple renewed their wedding vows in 2023. He has two children from previous relationships: daughter Bailee (b. 2008), whom he and Bunnie have full custody of, and son Noah (b. 2016). [37] [38]
Studio albums
Collaborative albums
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [39] |
New Artist of the Year | Won | ||||
Single of the Year | "Need a Favor" | Nominated | |||
Music Video of the Year | Nominated | ||||
Musical Event of the Year | "Save Me" (with Lainey Wilson) | Nominated | |||
CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | "Son of a Sinner" | Won | [40] | |
Male Breakthrough Video of the Year | Won | ||||
CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year | Won | ||||
2024 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | [41] |
Best Country Duo/Group Performance | "Save Me" (with Lainey Wilson) | Nominated | |||
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [42] | |
Best New Pop Artist | Won | ||||
Best Alternative Rock Artist | Nominated | ||||
Best New Alternative Rock Artist | Nominated | ||||
Country Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||||
Best New Country Artist | Won | ||||
Rock Song of the Year | "Need a Favor" | Nominated | |||
Favorite On Screen (Socially Voted) | "Save Me" | Nominated | |||
People's Choice Awards | The Male Country Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | [43] | |
The New Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||||
People's Choice Country Awards | The People's Artist of 2024 | Himself | Pending | [44] | |
The Male Artist of 2024 | Pending | ||||
The Social Country Star of 2024 | Pending | ||||
The Song of 2024 | "Wild Ones" (with Jessie Murph) | Pending | |||
The Collaboration Song of 2024 | "Chevrolet" (with Dustin Lynch) | Pending | |||
The Crossover Song of 2024 | "Lonely Road" (with Machine Gun Kelly) | Pending | |||
The Music Video of 2024 | Pending | ||||
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Collaboration | "Wild Ones" (with Jessie Murph) | Nominated | [45] | |
Video for Good | "Best for Me" (with Joyner Lucas) | Nominated | |||
Patrick Dhane Lanshaw, better known by his stage name Lil Wyte, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. Lanshaw is a member of the rap collective Hypnotize Minds and owner of the independent label Wyte Music.
Cedric Kelvin Coleman, professionally known by his stage name Frayser Boy, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He was formerly signed to Hypnotize Minds, the record label run by Three 6 Mafia founders DJ Paul and Juicy J, and had released three studio albums under the label: Gone on That Bay (2003), Me Being Me (2005), and Da Key (2008). At the 78th Academy Awards, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" along with Three 6 Mafia members Juicy J, Crunchy Black, and DJ Paul.
The SouthWest Connection is the studio album by American hip hop group C.W.B., composed of Nashville rappers Haystak and Lexx Luger, and Oakland rapper Dutch the Great. It was released on May 2, 2006, through Paid in Full Entertainment with distribution via Koch Records. The album features guest appearances from A-Wax, C.G., Coz Pacino, JellyRoll and Smigg Dirtee among others.
The Bad Influence is the fourth studio album by American rapper Lil Wyte from Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on August 25, 2009, via Hypnotize Minds/Asylum Records. Production was handled by DJ Paul and Juicy J. It features guest appearances from Project Pat, Juicy J and DJ Paul.
Hustle Hard is the first official single from Ace Hood's third studio album Blood, Sweat & Tears. It originally appeared on Ace Hood's preceding mixtape The Statement. It is produced by Lex Luger. The official remix features Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. The original music video and half of the remix music video was made on the same day. A version of the track featuring Swizz Beatz was also a part of Swizz' "Monster Mondays" program. The remix music video was released to 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live, on his birthday, May 11, 2011.
"John" is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne, and the second single from his album Tha Carter IV. The song features rapper Rick Ross, and it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. "John" was released on March 24, 2011, on iTunes. The song uses the hook from Rick Ross' song "I'm Not a Star" from his album Teflon Don. The song title is a reference to English musician John Lennon. Lil Wayne performed the song at 2011's MTV Video Music Awards to the riff of Black Sabbath song, Iron Man.
Still Doubted? is the fifth studio album by rapper Lil Wyte, released on June 19, 2012. It was mostly produced by Wyte Music producer Big BOI Beats and features guest appearances from Young Buck, Frayser Boy, Lord Infamous and Liquid Assassin from Grave Plott, among others. It is Wyte's first album to not feature any production by HCP's DJ Paul and Juicy J.
Jason Winfree, professionally known by his stage name Haystak is an American rapper from Nashville, Tennessee
Strictly Business is a full-length collaboration album released by Haystak & JellyRoll on December 3, 2011. The collaboration album peaked at 67 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and 16 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
No Filter is the collaborative studio album by American rappers Lil Wyte and JellyRoll. It was released on July 16, 2013, through Phixieous Entertainment with distribution via Select-O-Hits. Recording sessions took place at Greenway Studios in Franklin, Tennessee and, according to both rappers, it was recorded in one week. Production was handled by BandPlay, DJ MoneyGreen, Ed Pryor, Greenway, J. Sirianni, Shape Shifta, Sonny Bama, The Avengerz and The Colleagues with executive producers Thomas Toner, Wes Phillips, Lil Wyte and Jelly Roll. It features guest appearances from Caskey, J Ceaz, Jesse Whitley, Rell, Robin Raynelle, Sonny Bama, Twiztid and V.V.S. The album peaked at #33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, #17 on the Top Rap Albums and #42 on the Independent Albums in the United States.
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Jesse Vernon Frasure, also known as DJ Telemitry, is an American music publisher, record producer, songwriter, and DJ. He has written 22 number one songs and has cuts with various artists including Chris Stapleton, Marshmello, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett, Leon Bridges, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Meghan Trainor, Florida Georgia Line and more.
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Ed Pryor is an American music video director and record producer.
No Filter 2 is the third collaborative studio album by American rappers Lil Wyte and JellyRoll. It was released on November 18, 2016 via Bad Apple Inc. Production was primarily handled by Thomas "Greenway" Toner a.k.a. T-Stoner, along with Phil Bogard and Sonny Paradise. It features guest appearances from Ace of Thug Therapy, Bernz of ¡Mayday!, B-Real, DJ Paul, Doobie, Insane Clown Posse, Jackie Chain, Madchild and Struggle Jennings. The album serves as a sequel to their 2013 album, No Filter.
William Curtis Harness Jr., professionally known as Struggle Jennings, is an American rapper from Nashville, Tennessee. Jennings was one of the original members of Yelawolf's Slumerican label roster along with Bubba Sparxxx.
A Beautiful Disaster is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper JellyRoll. It was released on March 13, 2020 through Strange Music and It Goes Up. It features guest appearances from Krizz Kaliko, Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings and Tech N9ne among others. The album debuted at number 97 on the US Billboard 200 in the United States.
Ballads of the Broken is the eighth and major-label debut studio album by American rapper Jelly Roll, released on September 17, 2021, through Bailee & Buddy and BBR Music Group. It includes the singles "Dead Man Walking", which reached number one on the US Mainstream Rock chart, and "Son of a Sinner", which reached the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Country Airplay chart. The success of "Son of a Sinner", one of the few Nashville country-influenced songs on the album, inspired Jelly Roll to fully take on a country sound for his following album, Whitsitt Chapel (2023).
American musician Jelly Roll has released 10 studio albums, 9 collaborative albums, 22 mixtapes, 2 extended plays and 14 singles. He began as a hip-hop artist, with the release of his first collaborative album Year Round, with Lil Wyte and BPZ, in 2011. Jelly Roll began a shift to country music in 2021 with the album Ballads of the Broken on BBR Music Group, followed by Whitsitt Chapel in 2023. His country music albums have accounted for the singles "Son of a Sinner", "Need a Favor", "Save Me", "Halfway to Hell", and "I Am Not Okay", all of which went to number one on Country Airplay.
Whitsitt Chapel is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Jelly Roll, released on June 2, 2023, through Bailee & Buddy and BBR Music Group. It is his first country music album and includes collaborations with Brantley Gilbert, Struggle Jennings, Yelawolf and Lainey Wilson. It was preceded by the singles "Need a Favor" and "Save Me" with Wilson. The songs "She" and "Unlive" were also released prior to the album.
I'm just a kid from Antioch, Tennessee