Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee, is a singer, rapper and songwriter who built his career on blending country, rock, rap and pop into a raw, emotionally direct sound. He spent years releasing music independently in the hip-hop and Southern rap underground before pivoting toward country and rock-leaning material that drew on his own struggles with addiction and incarceration, themes that run through songs like «Save Me» and «Son of a Sinner».

His breakthrough country album, «Whitsitt Chapel», debuted near the top of the Billboard 200 and reached #2 on the Top Country Albums chart, marking one of the biggest country debuts by consumption in Billboard's history. The album's lead singles «Need a Favor» and «Son of a Sinner» both topped country and rock radio charts, establishing him as a rare crossover artist able to reach multiple radio formats at once.

2023 proved a breakout year: he won three CMT Music Awards, took home New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, and earned Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Duo/Group Performance for «Save Me», his duet with Lainey Wilson. His combination of tattooed, hard-luck authenticity with radio-friendly hooks has made him one of country and rock's most distinctive new voices.