Jelly Roll is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter who has managed to transform a troubled early life into a successful music career, now being one of the most recognized voices in modern country and crossover music. It is quite natural that people search for Jelly Roll age and similar queries since his story, struggles, and success at an older age strongly resonate with people. In this article we will also talk about Jelly Roll age, bio, family, wife, career, children, net worth & more.
Who Is Jelly Roll?
The real name of the Nashville, born artist known as Jelly Roll is Jason Bradley DeFord. He is famous for mixing hip, hop, country, and rock elements in his music. His songs are about addiction, recovery, mental health, family, and redemption, and that is why he is considered one of the most emotionally sincere artists in the United States music scene today.
Jelly Roll Biography Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Jason Bradley DeFord |
| Stage Name | Jelly Roll |
| Profession | Singer, Rapper, Songwriter |
| Date of Birth | December 4, 1984 |
| Age | 41 years (as of 2026) |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | Antioch, Tennessee, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Tattoo | Multiple Tattoo |
| Food Habbit | Non-Vegetarian |
| Genres | Country, Hip-Hop, Rock |
| Known For | Storytelling, recovery-based music |
| Active Years | 2003–Present |
Jelly Roll Age
Jelly Roll is born on 4 December, 1984. He will be 42 years old in 2026. He is a lifelong Nashville, Tennessee resident. Raised in Nashville, his age is a testament to the life experiences that have deeply shaped the sincere and emotive content of his music.
Jelly Roll Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Approx. 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Heavy-set |
| Appearance | Tattoos across face & body |
Early Life & Education
Jelly Roll was a native of Nashville, Tennessee where he also grew up. His childhood was characterized by harsh conditions, crime, and continual run, ins with the law. It has been suggested that during his adolescence, he was confined at a juvenile detention center.
He was a student of Antioch High School but he did not complete his schooling smoothly because of his involvement with the law. Jelly Roll has admitted that his past ordeals have been instrumental in defining his outlook on life and his music.
Jelly Roll Family Background
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Horace Buddy DeFord(Meat salesman) |
| Mother | Donna Buddy DeFord |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
Jelly Roll Wife
Jelly Roll’s wife is “Bunnie XO” known as (Alyssa DeFord). They got married in 31 August 2016 during a small courthouse, style wedding in Las Vegas and later publicly renewed their vows. Bunnie XO is a podcast host and entrepreneur, most known for the Dumb Blonde Podcast.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Wife Name | Bunnie XO |
| Real Name | Alyssa DeFord |
| Marriage Year | 2016 |
| Marriage Place | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Son | Noah Buddy DeFord (2016) |
| Daughter | Bailee Ann DeFord (2008) |
Jelly Roll Music Career & Breakthrough Success
Jelly Roll was one of the underground Southern hip, hop scene artists in the early 2000s. At the beginning, he released independent mixtapes and featured regional rap artists.
Major changes came to Jelly Roll’s career when he started mixing hip, hop with country and rock music and moved towards songwriting focused on his personal life.
Jelly Rolls hit came with the single “Son of a Sinner (2021)”. The song struck a chord with the country music fans and received a lot of radio plays and charted well. Then tracks such as “Need a Favor” (2023) have helped him to completely establish himself in the mainstream country music scene, which consequently marks his successful transition from the independent hip, hop niche to major country music fame.
Acting
In 2024, Jelly Roll had his first experience acting for television. He was cast in the TV drama series “Tulsa King”, a production of Sylvester Stallone. This episode came out in September 2024 and saw Jelly Roll performing a cover of “I Am Not Okay”, thus not only acting on the screen, but also performing in a scripted TV show for the very first time.
Furthermore, in the same year, Jelly Roll took part in the television series Fire Country where he portrayed the character of Noah, a worker at the nursing home. In this particular episode, his track “Dreams Dont Die” was featured as background music, thus establishing a direct connection between his music career and his acting role.
Popular Songs
| Years | Song | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Save Me | Emotional Ballad |
| 2021 | Son of a Sinner | Breakthrough Country Hit |
| 2022 | Bottle and Mary Jane | Fan Favorite |
| 2023 | Need a Favor | Chart-Topper |
| 2023 | Dead Man Walking | Modern Country |
Jelly Roll Discography
Studio Albums
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| A Beautiful Disaster | 2020 |
| Self Medicated | 2020 |
| Ballads of the Broken | 2021 |
| Whitsitt Chapel | 2023 |
| Beautifully Broken | 2024 |
Collaborative Album
| Album | Collaborator |
|---|---|
| Business As Usual | With Haystak |
| No Filter 2 | With lie Wyte |
| Waylon & Willie II | Struggle Jennings |
Jelly Roll Music Style
Combining elements of country, hip, hop, and rock, the main focus of Jelly Rolls music is on emotional storytelling and life, experience songs. Normally, their tune mixes country harmonies with modern sounds resulting in a crossover style that fits well with a wide range of listeners.
Jelly Roll Musical Influence
His musical roots are in the Southern hip, hop scene, the classic country storytelling, and the rock music, being mainly the product of his background in Nashville and his initial exposure to underground rap.
Jelly Roll Awards & Achievements
As a result of his mainstream breakthrough in the early 2020s, Jelly Roll has become a widely recognized figure in the country and crossover music fields. His awards reflect not only his commercial success but also the great support of fans and the music industry.
| Year | Award / Organization | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year (Son of a Sinner) | Won |
| 2023 | CMT Music Awards | Breakthrough Male Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | People’s Choice Country Awards | The New Artist of 2023 | Won |
| 2023 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best New Country Artist | Nominated |
| 2024 | ACM Awards | New Male Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | Billboard Music Recognition | Top Country Song (Need a Favor) | Chart-Based Recognition |
Jelly Roll Controversy
Jelly Roll has publicly shared the story of his past criminal charges and drug abuse issues. In 2022, he took a break and went to rehab for alcohol addiction. People see it as a recovery story rather than a scandal.
Jelly Roll Tour & Major Performance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Tours | Nationwide U.S. Tours |
| Major Venues | Arenas & Festivals |
| Audience | Country & Crossover Fans |
Jelly Roll Net Worth
According to 2026 estimates, Jelly Roll’s net worth is thought to be in the range of $7, 10 million. Most of his earnings come from his hit songs, which have been quite successful, as well as from tours across the country.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $7–10 million (approx.) |
| Income Sources | Music, Tours, Merchandise |
Jelly Roll Social Media Account
| Platform | Account Type | |
|---|---|---|
| @jellyroll615 | 5.8M | |
| YouTube | @JellyRoll | 4.96M |
| X | @JellyRoll615 | 427K |
Lesser-Known Facts
- Jelly Roll’s real name is Jason DeFord, a fact many casual listeners don’t know.
- He was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, one of the most influential music cities in the U.S.
- Jelly Roll has made guest appearances with Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
- His wife, Bunnie XO, played a major role in supporting him during difficult phases of his career.
- He made his scripted TV acting debut in Tulsa King (2024).
- His songwriting is heavily influenced by his personal experiences with addiction and recovery.
Conclusion
At the age of 41, Jelly Roll has become a symbol of endurance and change. Having been a troubled child in the streets of Nashville before breaking into the mainstream music scene, the artist credits the experiences in his life as the support of his music. The narrative of his life goes beyond the glitz and glam of the industry and it is more about how he got through recovery, family, and the concept of getting a second chance.
FAQs
What is the real name of Jelly Roll?
Jason DeFord is his real name.
How old is Jelly Roll?
He was born on December 4, 1984, so he will be 41 years old in 2026.
Where is Jelly Rolls origin?
He is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
What genre of music does Jelly Roll perform?
He blends country, hip, hop, and rock in his music.
Who is the wife of Jelly Roll?
Jelly Roll’s wife is Bunnie XO (Alyssa DeFord).
Has Jelly Roll been in any television shows?
Yes, he has been in Tulsa King (2024) and Fire Country.
What is the hit song of Jelly Roll?
Son of a Sinner (2021) was the song that brought him the spotlight.
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