ⓘ
Jelly Roll is the stage name of Jason DeFord, a singer and rapper from Antioch, a neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He spent years in and out of jail as a young man and built a loyal underground following through rap mixtapes before turning toward rock and country. His breakthrough came with “Son of a Sinner” in 2022, followed by his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, in 2023. That same year he won the CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. Beautifully Broken followed in 2024. His raw, gritty storytelling about addiction, redemption and faith has made him one of country music’s most beloved voices. He also uses his platform to advocate for people in recovery and in the justice system. In 2025 he joined Brandon Lake on “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”