PERSON: Jason DeFord (“Jelly Roll”)

Musician

Jason Bradley DeFord (born December 4, 1984), known professionally as Jelly Roll (often stylized as JellyRoll), is an American singer, rapper and songwriter from Antioch, Tennessee. Beginning his career in 2003, he rose to mainstream prominence following the release of his singles “Need a Favor” (2023) and “Son of a Sinner” (2021), the latter of which won three CMT Music Awards. That same year, he received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.

DeFord was raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. His father was a meat salesman and worked as a bookie on the side; his mother suffered from mental illness and addiction. At age 14, he and several others were arrested and charged with multiple counts of possession of marijuana and attempted robbery.

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, 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.

In January 2024, Jelly Roll testified before the U.S. Congress, in support of anti-fentanyl legislation. 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”.

Jelly Roll is married to Alyssa “Bunnie XO” DeFord. He has one daughter born in 2008 and one son, both from previous relationships. Jelly Roll earned his GED at the age of 23 while in jail.

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