Jelly Roll Biography, Songs, Weight Loss, Concerts & Personal Life (2025)
Jelly Roll, that name sounds familiar, oh yeah? And, at a glance, could you be thinking, “What? dessert or singer”? That is the charm of it. One name, two distinct worlds, and both unforgettable. Whether it is the sweet combination of a homemade sponge cake or the raw sound of a tattooed country-rap artist who pours their life experience into every lyric, Jelly Roll captures you.
It is a name that lingers with you, too, whether that is on your playlist or a plate. If you are like me, you have probably experienced both once with sugar and once with a story. Now, here’s to opening it up and examining what Jelly Roll means.
Jelly roll Biography
Who is Jelly Roll?
Jelly Roll is a powerhouse of an artist who has become a unique force in American music, mixing together country, rock, and hip-hop in a way nobody else does. He hails from one of the rougher sections of Nashville, and his music captures some of the pain of his past. Most of his songs are so relatable to real people going through real experiences.
He has become an artist who uses tattoos, honesty, and raw vocals to connect with people who have experienced real trauma. From jail to the stage, Jelly Roll’s story is not only inspirational, but it also shows that second chances are real.
Real name of Jelly Roll
His real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, but he is better known to the world as Jelly Roll. He grew up in Antioch, which is a suburb of Nashville, and is as if life was handed to him on a platter; life was difficult. Now, Jelly Roll is winning awards, topping charts, and packing out stadiums.
Net Worth of Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $4 -$5 million in 2025. Jelly Roll makes his income from album sales, touring the country, views on YouTube, merchandise sales, and collaborative works with other artists. It’s amazing how much he’s been able to make in such a short time and just a few years. He is a tremendous example of how talent, luck, and hustle can change your life.
How Old is Jelly Roll?
As of 2025, Jelly Roll is 40 years old. He was born in 1984, and during his life, he has faced struggle, addiction, jail, and personal growth. His age is not just a number—it is a constant reminder of how far he has gone. He shifted from a troubled teen in Nashville to a man with wisdom shared through art, and needless to say, every year added a little more depth to both his music and message.
Birthplace and Date of Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll was born on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville, the birthplace of country music, is where so many congregated under the bright lights whilst they were trying to find their fame and glitter; however, that is not where he was born or raised, as he lived primarily on the streets and learned the hard way how to live life.
Weight and Height of Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll is about 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and at one point weighed over 400 lbs; however, this year he is openly trying to lose weight. And I take my hat off to him, as he has lost (since last year) over 60 lbs. He talks to his fans about health issues and encourages them to take care of their bodies regardless of how they manage their lives.
Early Life or Background of Jelly Roll
Before he was a widely known celebrity, separate from the earlier phase of selling out shows and dressing like a rap star on stage, Jelly Roll was a young kid named Jason DeFord navigating life in South Nashville’s wreckage. He had a childhood horrifically not wrapped in comfort but wrapped in survival.
His mother had addiction issues, while his father was a meat peddler. The home had chaos, uncertainty, and pain. School? That was never his thing. He was more of a corner street kid than a student and had an inclination for feelings instead of formulas. What resonates with me is how Jelly Roll used music as a hiding space before it became a stage.
Once he said he wrote his first rhyme in July, but what I dug about that moment was more than lyrics; it was hanging onto something alive, some hope. Something is refreshing about a man who has no embarrassment about where he is from, because everything, and I mean everything, about his past is in his voice today.
Personal life of Jelly Roll
Jason is not an artist offstage; he is a husband, a father, and a man taking the next steps in healing from his past. Off stage tells a story of himself that is more genuine, more familiar, and ever more cognizant of family. He does not put his honest character into his music; he creates it in his relationships.
Jelly Roll Wife – Bunnie XO
Jason fell in love at an unexpected time with Bunnie XO, a popular podcast host and digital creator known for her authenticity and punk style. Their relationship was not a fairy tale, but it developed from respect and loyalty. Bunnie believed in Jason and had his back when he was still discovering who he was, and that is a love that never dies.
The most striking thing for Jason about Bunnie is how openly she supports him, not only in reward shows but silently, in real-time moments as well. They laugh, talk openly, and feel connected no matter what. Bunnie is his safe space, not just his wife.
How many children does Jelly Roll have?
Fatherhood has changed him in ways no stage can ever do. He has a daughter, Bailee, from a past relationship, and he stepped into a loving father role for Bunnie’s child. He treats her like his own. He often expresses how his kids drive him to be “a better man every day.
He is very aware that he grew up in instability, now he has kids and wants to give them the best love and care he once craved. You can feel the weight of that promise in his songs and hear it in his voice when he talks about them, gentle, proud, and protective.
Weight Loss Journey of Jelly Roll
Starting the Journey
At one point, Jason was over 500 pounds. It wasn’t just about weight. It was about how he felt. Unable to move, breathe, or enjoy the simple aspects of life without discomfort, Jason made a promise to himself the moment a doctor could not weigh him at a standard clinic. That was a hard reality check.
For Jason, he knew that if he didn’t change, his health and future were certain to be at risk; and that moment and promise changed the course of Jason’s life. Jason was engaged in the process of change walking, and limiting junk foods while making better choices day after day.
Milestones and Motivation
Weight Loss for Jason wasn’t just a physical change. It was also an emotional change. He shared that he had been battling a food addiction for years, and learning how to abandon habits was a significant transition. By changing how he ate and being committed to movement on a daily basis, like walking, cold plunges, and learning his food history, Jason had eliminated about 100 pounds over time.
His scale numbers began to drop, and his confidence began to rise. As Jason continued to work on managing his weight, by 2025, he had eliminated almost 200 pounds of weight from his life. For Jason, it was to feel alive rather than to survive. He even mentioned that he wanted to go skydiving once he hit his head and got all that figured out, too.
The Music Career of Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll began his musical career in the early 2000s by releasing mixtapes and collaborating with several underground Southern rap artists, including Lil Wyte and Haystak. However, it was not until Jelly Roll began mixing his distressed rapping style with country soul and rock energy that he became a noticeable artist.
Jelly Roll’s breakout moment came with his emotionally driven track called “Save Me”. That particular song deeply resonated with Jelly Roll’s fans. Jelly Roll put out several independent albums before he put out his album “Ballads of the Broken” in 2021. This album included the hit song “Son of a Sinner”.
This song allowed Jelly Roll to find his place on the Billboard charts, also gained notable radio airplay, and eventually, he found himself on big stages. Now, Jelly Roll is known for producing music that has tied real pain, recovery, and redemption together, which is not something that many artists would care to discuss.
Awards of Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll’s ascent has come with some powerful wins. Jelly Roll was awarded multiple CMT Music Awards in 2023, including Male Video of the Year for “Son of a Sinner.” He has received nominations for iHeartRadio Music Awards, and major recognition for his live performances at the Grand Ole Opry, which is a stage where I cannot think of another rapper that has stood.
His sold-out tours, streaming numbers in the millions, and award wins have proved that he’s more than just a trend. He’s a voice for the broken and the brave.
Popular Songs of Jelly RollSongs
Jason doesn’t only sing, he tells stories. He sings stories that come from real emotions based on real experiences, and that includes pain, struggle, healing, and hope. He mashes up country, rock, and rap in what feels like a raw and authentic experience, like a journal entry documenting and turning into melody.
Every release has revealed a portion of his journey, whether it is heartbreak, addiction, or redemption, he expresses it. Fans connect with his music because they hear themselves in it. His music is not sanitized for the radio; rather, it is exclusively intended for people who have experienced something and are trying to come out the other side, strong.
Here’s a list of Jelly Roll’s most popular songs
Son of a Sinner
This was the song that flipped his career upside down and changed everything. It was raw, brutal, and included guilt and grace. The lyrics detail his struggles of being caught between who he was to who he wants to be. The line “I’m just a long-haired son of a sinner” had shades of confession while being sung out loud, and you can feel the struggle in his voice in the pull of good/evil. It may be a country tune, but the suffering in it is universal. It makes sense that it became his first No.1 hit on country radio.
Save Me
This one reads like it is asking for help. This man is singing about being tired, broken, and needing somebody to save him from the darkness. What you can hear is him, and some guitars in their simplicity; it is the most powerful performance. I felt the emotion so much, I had goosebumps. He then released a duet version with Lainey Wilson, adding another layer to it.
Need a Favor
In this song, he senses God, but only when he is completely broken down and needs God’s help. He sounds like he is expressing the guilt that comes with needing to pray, not out of holiness but out of brokenness. The chorus is relatable: “I only talk to God when I need a favor.” It is painfully relatable for anybody who is capable of mistakes but still wants to feel good enough for mercy. The beat is super upbeat, but the words hit hard and feel very real.
She
This one shines a light on addiction, especially how it affects women. He sings about “She” without naming her, letting listeners decide if it’s someone they know, or maybe even themselves. It’s more than a song—it’s a message for people who feel invisible in their pain.
Creature (feat. Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko)
A powerful collaboration that mixes rap and rock. It shows his early hip-hop roots and talks about the monsters we all carry inside.
I Need You
A softer track that shows his vulnerable side. The emotion in his voice makes this one unforgettable, especially for fans who turn to music during heartbreak.
Concerts & Festival Shows of Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll has sold out arenas, including Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, and filled festival stages from Stagecoach to Buckeye Country Superfest. Fans often say his shows feel like religious revivals, and have an emotional high and collective energy.
It felt like a religion! I am not one to feel emotional or cry; however, I cried 3 times last night. It involves the church. Last year I brought a friend. This year, I figured I should go by myself because of how much the whole experience was spiritual!
Jelly Roll’s Upcoming Concerts and Shows
He has several upcoming shows in North America and Europe from stadiums in San Francisco (July 1) and Twin Lakes (July 17-19) to festival stages in Berlin, Milan, London, and Lisbon (August- September).
For Jelly Roll, live shows are a journey, raw, healing, and collective. Whether headlining, supporting someone’s stadium tour, or surprising fans with special moments, he makes a mark with tears, cheers, and members’ stories to tell!
Past Concert Highlights
Beautifully Broken Great Northern Tour (Mar 2025)
He started the year with an emotional Canadian tour, with stops in: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa. Many fans said the shows were emotional and healing, but noted sound issues, specifically in the upper levels.
Solo US Headlining Shows (Nov 2024)
He played the big arenas all over the US last year—Nashville Bridgestone Arena, Jacksonville, Columbia, Austin, Houston, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Omaha, Lexington, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. This experience was described by fans as powerful and spiritual
Festival & Surprise Gigs (2024–2025)
He appeared at notable events like Bonnaroo and As a surprise act at rodeo events alongside legends like Tim McGraw and Reba McEntire in Nashville.
Big Ass Stadium Tour with Post Malone
In the summer of 2025, he’s supporting Post Malone on the Big Ass Stadium Tour, playing massive U.S. stadiums and top international venues. Venues include Rice‑Eccles (Salt Lake City), Allegiant, AT&T, Wrigley, Citi Field, and Oracle Park in San Francisco. His set typically features powerful numbers like “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner”.
On-Stage Surprises
At the Buckeye Superfest, actor Kevin James joined him onstage for a surprise duet of “Need a Favor.” The moment went viral, and fans loved their matching outfits. His live presence is known for its spontaneity and genuine connection with fans.
Fan Experiences
Audience reactions range widely, but many describe his concerts as deeply emotional and connective. In Sacramento, one fan said:
- “15000 people were on their feet singing every song … for the final song, he walked through the floor crowd to the second stage.
- Others note variability: one Ottawa show felt flat, with complaints about weak sound and low energy in upper levels. Still, even critics admit he comes across as genuine and kind.