Jelly Roll

Born Jason DeFord, Jelly Roll has carved out a genuinely singular space in American music by blending the raw storytelling of country with the rhythmic drive of hip-hop. His music sits at the intersection of vulnerability and grit, with lyrics that draw heavily from personal experience including addiction, struggle, and redemption, delivered across beats that shift fluidly between rap verses and country-inflected choruses.

After years grinding through the independent music circuit, Jelly Roll broke through to mainstream recognition in a major way in the early 2020s, earning critical attention and award nominations that placed him firmly among the most talked-about artists in contemporary country and rap. His crossover appeal has attracted listeners from both genres who might not typically overlap, and his willingness to be unflinchingly honest in his music has resonated widely.