Jelly Roll is a musician who has had a tough life and has overcome personal struggles. He was born Jason Bradley DeFord on December 4, 1984, and is known professionally by his stage name Jelly Roll). He comes from a middle-lower-class community where he was the youngest child of four. His dad was a meat salesman for his own family company called DeFord Wholesale Meats, and his mom struggled with addiction and mental health. Jelly Roll has spent many years in and out of the jail system, mostly for drug-related crimes or petty robbery. He was charged with strong-armed robbery at age 16 and convicted of robbery as a teenager and possession with intent to distribute at age 21. However, he had an awakening moment sitting in his jail cell when a guard knocked on his cell door to tell him that he had a daughter. That moment made Jelly Roll realize that he wanted to be a good father to his daughter. After getting out of jail, Jelly Roll focused on making music, which was also inspired by his mother, because music really changed her life when she was going through all of her things.

Jelly Roll is a singer/songwriter who doesn’t tend to stick to one genre of music. He has released many mixtapes and independent solo albums, including collaborations with Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Haystak, and Tech N9ne). He currently has the number 1 song on the rock charts with "Dead Man Walking," and he’s very excited about it. Lately, he’s been focused on putting together a full-blown country album. He claimed three CMT Music Awards thanks to his song “Son of a Sinner” and was featured in the ABC News Studios documentary Jelly Roll: Save Me.

Jelly Roll is married to Bunnie, and they have children together as well as full custody of his daughter. He has been open about his struggles with addiction and anxiety. Jelly Roll loves Waffle House and has eaten there at least hundreds—but more likely thousands—of times. He has shared some of his jail food recipes, including flaming hot Cheetos with beef sticks and cheese on crackers and a dessert made with Grandmas cookies, a Moon Pie, and a Snickers bar.