One of the newest names on the country music scene is Jelly Rolly! The genre-bending musician was nominated for his first Grammy, so take a look at this rising star.
Jelly Roll (b. Jason DeFord on December 4, 1984) is an American rapper, country singer, and rocker who has been making waves since the early 2010s. Hailing from the southside community of Antioch near Nashville, Tennessee, Jelly Roll grew up a troubled youth. He did three years in a juvenile detention center for robbery, and was charged with a felony when he was 21. After struggling with addiction issues, he cleaned his life up with the birth of his daughter.
Jelly Roll’s natural storytelling and gift for music led him to begin a country rap career. He teamed frequently with fellow southern rapper Lil Whyte in his early career, and forged a friendship with Struggle Jennings (resulting in a quartet of collaborative albums.) Since then, he’s been climbing higher and higher in the country rap genre.
Below, scroll through the gallery to see pics of Jelly Roll over the years!
1 of 8
Jelly Roll
Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Jelly Roll hypes the crowd up at a concert. He sported a denim jacket, black t-shirt and gold chains.
March 28, 2023, 2:37PM 2 of 8
Jelly Roll ACM Awards
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo
Academy of Country Music Awards, Arrivals, Frisco, Texas, USA – 11 May 2023
May 11, 2023, 6:17PM 3 of 8
56th Annual CMA Awards
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte
Jelly Roll arrives at the 56th Annual CMA Awards, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Jelly Roll’s star was already on the rise at the 2022 event.
March 28, 2023, 2:37PM 4 of 8
Jelly Roll with his wife, Bunnie XO
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte
Jelly Roll, left, and Bunnie XO arrive at the 56th Annual CMA Awards, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Bunnie is the founder and host of the Dumb Blonde podcast.
March 28, 2023, 2:37PM 5 of 8
Jelly Roll x Tootsie (Roll?)
Paul A Hebert/Shutterstock
Jelly Roll performs at Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge 60th Birthday Bash in 2021. It seems like a perfect fit.
March 28, 2023, 2:37PM
MoreEntertainment
6 of 8
Jelly Roll On The Field
AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Mitchell Tenpenny and Jelly Roll appear at the Folds of Honor Rock n Jock Game in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2022 event featured many local musicians.
March 28, 2023, 2:37PM 7 of 8
Jelly Roll Is A Star
Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Shutterst
Jelly Roll performs at Welcome to Rockville at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Jelly Roll has roots in rock, country, and hip-hop. He’s also a friend of The Rock.
March 28, 2023, 2:37PM 8 of 8
Jelly Roll’s Stage Presence is Undeniable!
Getty Images
Jelly Roll spent 2025 taking most stages by storm all around the world, like this one at the Strummingbird Festival in Australia!
November 21, 2025, 12:24PM Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news. Articles Trending Now
Trending Now
Is 'CBS Saturday Morning' Canceled? What's Going on Amid Paramount Layoffs
Kevin Spacey Net Worth: How Much Money the Actor Has Now
Is Kevin Spacey Homeless? Where the Actor Is Now
