Jelly Roll Biography: Jason Bradley DeFord, known professionally as Jelly Roll, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter hailing from Antioch, Tennessee. He began his music career in 2003 and gained mainstream recognition with his 2022 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” “Son of a Sinner” won three CMT Music Awards in 2023, and Jelly Roll also took home the New Artist award at the CMA Awards that same year, along with a nomination for Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Jelly Roll Biography 2025
Jason Bradley DeFord, known professionally as Jelly Roll, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from Antioch, Tennessee. Beginning his career in 2003, he rose to mainstream prominence following the release of his 2022 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor”.
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Born: 4 December 1984 (age 39 years), Antioch, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Children: 2
Genres: Hip hop; country; Southern rock; country rap; Southern hip hop
Instruments: Vocals; guitar
Labels: Slumerican; Bad Apple Inc. War Dog; Wyte Music; BBR
Jelly Roll Biography 2025 Details
Birth name
Jason Bradley DeFord
Born
December 4, 1984 (age 39)
Antioch, Tennessee, U.S.
DeFord was raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. His father worked as a meat salesman and also as a bookie, while his mother faced struggles with mental illness and addiction. During his teenage years and into his 20s, Jelly Roll encountered legal troubles, facing multiple arrests and serving time for various offenses, including possession with intent to distribute and aggravated robbery. While in prison, he earned his GED at the age of 23.
Jelly Roll’s Net Worth in 2025
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, has experienced a remarkable financial turnaround, with his net worth in 2025 estimated at $12 million.
Born Jason DeFord in Nashville, Jelly Roll faced a challenging upbringing. His mother struggled with mental illness and addiction, while his father worked as a bookie and meat salesman. Following his environment, DeFord began selling drugs at a young age, even including mixtapes with his sales. At just 16, he and others were arrested for aggravated robbery and possession with intent to sell marijuana. Despite being a minor, he was charged as an adult and faced a potential 20-year sentence, ultimately serving one year in prison and receiving seven years of probation. This felony charge has stayed with him for life, affecting his future opportunities.
Upon his release, Jelly Roll focused on music, initially in the hip-hop genre, selling mixtapes out of his car. His collaboration with rapper Lil Wyte on the 2010 track “Pop Another Pill” garnered over 6 million YouTube views. In 2013, a mixtape titled Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House attracted attention, especially when Waffle House threatened legal action, prompting him to change the title to Whiskey, Weed, & Women.
As of 2025, Jelly Roll’s net worth is around $12 million. However, due to his felony record, he faces unique challenges compared to other artists in his income bracket. For instance, he recently obtained a passport after struggles with international travel, which forced him to cancel a London show. Jelly Roll shared an experience of being denied the purchase of a home in a private golf community because of his past, stating, “My money was welcome, but I wasn’t, all because of something I did almost 24 years ago.”
Booking and Earnings
Booking Jelly Roll for a show is no small feat, with estimated fees ranging from $999,999 to $1,499,000. While his exact earnings per concert aren’t publicly disclosed, it’s known that he shares revenue with opening acts and crew. His Backroad Baptism Tour in 2023 sold out most arena dates, and he’s already sold over half a million tickets for his Beautifully Broken Tour in 2025. With an estimated annual income of around $3 million, Jelly Roll’s earnings can fluctuate based on his touring schedule and music releases.
Jelly Roll boasts an impressive catalog of over 100 songs across his mixtapes, collaborations, and albums, with around 40 releases to his name, reflecting his diverse style spanning rap, rock, and country.
