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Jelly Roll: Songs, Albums & Biography

October 29, 2026 6

Few artists have lived the songs they sing quite like Jelly Roll. From jail cells and mixtapes in Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood to arena stages, he turned a hard life into songs about hope and second chances. Here’s his story from our guide to country music artists.

Jelly Roll at a glance

Real name	Jason Bradley DeFord
Born	December 4, 1984, Nashville (Antioch), Tennessee
Sound	Country, rock, hip-hop and gospel
Country breakthrough	“Son of a Sinner” (2022)
No. 1 album	Beautifully Broken (2024), his first Billboard 200 No. 1
Grand Ole Opry	Inducted March 10, 2026 [VERIFY: opry.com]

The road to country

Jelly Roll spent his early years in and out of trouble, and several stretches in jail. He started rapping and releasing independent mixtapes, building a devoted audience the hard way: online, on the road, and through honesty about addiction, faith and family.

From rapper to country singer

Ballads of the Broken (2021) leaned into melody and rock, and “Son of a Sinner” became a country radio No. 1. Whitsitt Chapel (2023), named for a church in his Antioch neighborhood [VERIFY: official bio], sealed the change. That year he won CMA New Artist of the Year.

Beautifully Broken

Beautifully Broken (2024) became his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The current page reports it won Best Contemporary Country Album at the 2026 GRAMMYs, among three wins that night. [VERIFY: grammy.com]

Jelly Roll's best songs

“Son of a Sinner” – His first country No. 1 and his story in three minutes.
“Need a Favor” – A brutally honest prayer.
“Save Me” (with Lainey Wilson) – A duet that earned a GRAMMY nomination.
“Wild Ones” – Collaboration with Jessie Murph. [VERIFY: inclusion]
“I Am Not Okay” – A lifeline for anyone who’s struggling.
“Halfway to Hell” – Whitsitt Chapel’s rough-edged rocker.
“Amen” (with Shaboozey) – Gospel energy. [VERIFY: 2026 GRAMMY win]
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” (with Brandon Lake) – [VERIFY: 2026 GRAMMY win, Contemporary Christian category]

Essential albums

Album	Year	Why it matters
Ballads of the Broken	2021	The turn from rap to rock and country
Whitsitt Chapel	2023	The country breakthrough album
Beautifully Broken	2024	First Billboard 200 No. 1

Awards and milestones

CMA New Artist of the Year (2023)
Three GRAMMY wins at the 2026 ceremony [VERIFY: grammy.com]
Grand Ole Opry member since March 10, 2026 [VERIFY: opry.com]

On tour

If you like Jelly Roll

Try Bailey Zimmerman, whose raw, rock-edged vocals hit similar notes, and Shaboozey, his partner on “Amen”.

Jelly Roll FAQs

What is Jelly Roll's real name?

Jason Bradley DeFord.

Where is Jelly Roll from?

Antioch, a neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee.

Was Jelly Roll a rapper?

Yes. He spent more than a decade releasing independent hip-hop before crossing over to country and rock.

What was Jelly Roll's first country No. 1?

“Son of a Sinner”.

Sources

Grand Ole Opry profile · Recording Academy profile · Billboard · Country Music Association

How we report: Facts on this page come from the sources listed above and are checked by a second editor. Read our editorial standards. Spot an error? Tell us.