Jelly Roll, 38, has made a name for himself as a country rapper. With the ways he blends the genres, he’s made quite the jump from rap to mainstream country. Jason DeFord, the outstanding artist’s true name, has been releasing music since 2011 and has worked on high-profile collaborations with similarly great rappers.
This week, the rapper-turned-country singer has two significant shows scheduled. First, Jelly Roll will perform at The Voice’s season finale on Tuesday, December 19. According to Entertainment Tonight, he will perform his song “Save Me.” On Thursday, December 21, Jelly Roll will play at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball holiday spectacular. According to Setlist.fm, he’s played at a few gigs across the country, performing a number of his classics from both his rap career and his recent country smashes.
Learn more about Jelly Roll and how he got into the country rap scene in the below.
Jelly Roll’s Debut Single Was a Collaboration With Lil Wyte
Jelly Roll, who is originally from Nashville, collaborated with fellow rapper Lil Wyte on the song “Pop Another Pill” in 2010. It was uploaded on YouTube and has over 6.3 million views. Year Round, an album by hip-hop group SNO that featured Jelly Roll as well as Lil Wyte and BPZ, was released in 2011.
There are some more articles on Jelly Roll that we have listed below:
- Who is Jelly Roll’s Girlfriend? A Closer Look at Bunnie XO
- Jelly Roll Net Worth: How Much Does the Rapper Earn?
Jelly Roll Has Released a Number of Mixtapes, Eps, and Studio Albums Since 2011
Following the publication of Year Round, Jelly Roll went on to produce a number of other projects, including the Gamblin’ on a Whiteboy mixtape series in 2012 and the Therapeutic Music mixtape series in 2015. His debut studio album, The Big Sal Story, was published in 2012, and he has since collaborated on several projects, including two with Haystak, two with Lil Wyte, and four with Struggle Jennings.
In February 2023, Jelly Roll set a Billboard record by spending 25 weeks at the top of the Emerging Artists Chart. In June 2023, he will release the highly anticipated country album WHITSITT CHAPEL.
Jelly Roll Has a Number of Tattoos
Some of the ink looks to be crosses, a teardrop, and a patterned heart on his face and hands. The ink can be seen up close on several of his music release covers and has become a trademark of his appearance.
Jelly Roll is Married and Has Children
According to Music Mayhem, Jelly Roll married Bunnie DeFord, better known as Bunnie XO, in August 2016. They allegedly first met at one of his Las Vegas gigs and “hit it off” immediately away. “We hit it off,” Jelly Roll said to Taste of Country Nights. “She said she fell in love with the saddest eyes in the room.”
“She was with some abusive douchebag, and they came to a show, and we were backstage,” he said in an interview with King, Sting, and the Wing Clips. “They split, and I’m not going to act like I shot my shot. She kind of shot hers. We had mutual friends. She said, ‘Yo. Just plug me in with Jelly.’ And I hit her on some other sh**. I was like, ‘Yo. I’m going to be coming out to shoot some content and video stuff. She was like, ‘Yeah! C’mon!’ I was like, ‘Cool, well I’m living in my van, so I’ll leave now.”
Prior to his romance with Bunnie, Jelly Roll was in another relationship, which resulted in the birth of his daughter Bailee Ann DeFord in May 2008. She was born after he left for prison, and on her 13th birthday, he shared how her life influenced his perspective when he was freed in 2009.
“You have changed my life. You are the reason I am who I am. The day you were born was the day I made the decision to change my life and chase my dream,” he wrote in an Instagram birthday message to her.
“I didn’t get custody of you, you got custody of me. You are so smart , so talented , so funny , so sweet. Your well spoken , polite and respectful. You are my best friend and the best daughter a father could ask for. I love you beautiful.” Bailee also featured on one of her father’s songs, “Tears Could Talk,” so she’s also following in his musical footsteps!
Jelly Roll also has a son, Noah Buddy DeFord, who was born in 2016. He hasn’t talked about him as much as he has about Bailee, who is now famous as a singer. Noah’s mother’s name has never been released, and Jelly Roll has previously stated that he avoids discussing Noah out of respect for his mother, who wishes to remain anonymous. He did, however, reveal images of his son backstage at one of his gigs in September 2021, which can be seen above.
There are some more articles on Jelly Roll that we have listed below:
- Jelly Roll Weight Loss Photos: Dropping 180 Pounds!
- Who is Jelly Roll Wife? The Woman Behind His Success
Jelly Roll Enjoys Sharing Both Happy and Sad Moments in His Life on Instagram
On the social networking platform, Jelly Roll has shared the delights of his music as well as emotional moments of grief. He shared a video in November 2022 of his mother meeting his wife Bunnie’s mother, who sadly passed away. He also included a lengthy statement about Bunnie not meeting her birth mother until she was in her 30s, and he hopes she would share the amazing story someday.
“Yesterday Bunnie’s mom Vanessa passed away (my mother in law, the lady in the recliner) I hope one day my wife does a podcast and explains the journey it was to even meet her birth mother which didn’t happen until my wife was in her mid 30s,” he said in the description of the heartfelt photo.
“And how hard, heart breaking and healing the last year has been since my wife moved Vanessa to Tennessee to try to get her the medical help she needed. Needless to say my wife is the strongest human I have ever encountered. Her heart never ceases to amaze me and her ability to find the silver lining and the lesson in every turn. Praying for healing hearts in my house hold this weekend.”
