Jelly Roll in ‘24: 5 Epic Highlights
Through tenacity and grit, he has gone from relatively unknown Tennessee hip-hop act to one of the most popular country artists in the world. His is a genuine American success story. At the same time, his story is one of survival plagued by addiction and mental health issues. His name is Jelly Roll. Few could have predicted that the man would still be alive in 2024, let alone one of its most important entertainers.
Believe it or not, “Jelly Roll” is not the name on his birth certificate. Born Jason DeFord in 1984, the South Nashville native was given the fitting moniker by his mother in his boyhood. After a troubled youth (resulting in nearly a fragmented decade behind bars), Jelly decided that music was his last hope and best chance. Upon his release from incarceration, the aspiring performer pursued a path through the world of rock and rap with a decent level of success. Then in late 2021, something clicked. Jelly Roll embraced the genre that is synonymous with the land of his birth. He has never looked back.
DeFord was embraced wholeheartedly by the country music community. After an introductory period in 2022, the singer/songwriter began to pick up steam. Jelly’s whirlwind 2023 included two Grammy nominations, three CMT Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards’ New Artist of the Year. Amazingly, 2024 was even better. Jelly appeared in the country music doc Rebel Country, contributed a song to the blockbuster movie Sonic 3, and had a hit collaboration with Eminem. He was also named Male Country Artist of the Year at the People’s Choice Awards. And that barely scratches the surface. Here are five epic highlights for Jelly Roll in 2024.
Testifying before Congress
January found Jelly in unfamiliar surroundings, the United States Senate chamber. The former drug dealer ascended Capitol Hill to testify in support of a bipartisan anti- fentanyl bill. He was nothing short of extraordinary, stating, “At every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl…These are the people I’m here to speak for, y’all. These people crave reassurance that their elected officials actually care more about human life than they do about ideology and partisanship.” Despite the hundreds of sold-out concerts, DeFord’s testimony before Congress is the most important time he has ever spent in front of a microphone.
Cameo on Tulsa King
When Slyvester Stallone’s daughter, Sistine, learned that Tulsa King was Jelly Roll’s favorite television show, she knew that she had to bring the two together. Tulsa King, which premiered in 2022, stars Sly as a mafia boss who tries to stake his own claim in the untapped territory of Oklahoma. It is a redemption story, set in the south, that deals with its fair share of the criminal element. The guest role is not a big stretch for Jelly, especially since he plays himself. He even gets a chance to flex his vocal cords with a raw version of his 2024 hit, “I Am Not Okay.” Stallone called DeFord’s performance “very good”, noting that “he would be a very fine addition to any ensemble.”
First Appearance on SNL
September was capped with Jelly making his debut on Saturday Night Live, appearing as the first musical guest in their historic 50th season. The iconic program even included the rotund troubadour in a skit, unfortunately, it was cut due to time limitations. “SNL was an unreal experience!”, related DeFord. He performed two songs, the latter being the opening track from his Beautifully Broken album called “Winning Streak.” Jelly calls the tune “a song for those on the recovery journey.” He adds, “it was important for me to represent those who have not traditionally been represented in pop culture! Wherever you are on your journey I hope this song finds you and helps you out!”
First #1 Album
The album Beautifully Broken was released on October 11th. It is Jelly Roll’s tenth studio endeavor, but only his second country album. Many questioned if it could match the startling success of his last effort, 2023’s Whitsitt Chapel, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200. Those trepidations were quickly alleviated when Beautifully Broken debuted at the top spot, making it Jelly’s first album to reach #1 on Billboard’s flagship chart. The strong debut was due largely to pre-sales, all of which the singer gave to charity totaling an estimated $850,000. The album’s second single, “Liar”, reached #6 in America. It also electrified the crowd at the 2024 ACM Awards with a captivating performance.
Massive Weight Loss
Jelly Roll is one of the biggest stars in music today, though not as big as he used to be. “I’ve been obese since I was a small child. All I’ve ever known was being fat”, avers DeFord. Once tipping the scales in excess of 500 pounds, the 6’1 singer made a vow to live healthier in 2024. This included eating smarter and implementing an exercise regime. The results have been extraordinary. In November, Jelly cited his weight loss at 120 pounds. With any luck, he can shine the light on food addiction as he has done for the evils of drugs and alcohol.
