Jelly Roll (singer) - Wikipedia

Music

Jelly Roll launched his career in hip-hop after being inspired by rappers such as Three 6 Mafia, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG. He sold mixtapes out of his car,[8] starting with a string of releases from his first project, The Plain Shmear Tape, in 2003 then following with the four-part Gamblin' on the White Boy series from 2004 to 2011. His 2010 collaboration "Pop Another Pill" with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte reached over 6.3 million YouTube views.[12] This song led to the album Year Round by the hip-hop group SNO, of which Jelly Roll was a member. Over the next few years, Jelly Roll released many mixtapes and independent solo albums including collaborations with Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Haystak, and Tech N9ne.[13] Jelly Roll's 2013 mixtape Whiskey, Weed, & Women was originally named Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House,[6] but was later changed after Waffle House threatened legal action over the use of their name and logo on the cover. The replacement cover featured a "cease and desist" stamp in place of the restaurant's logo.[14][15]

Jelly Roll made his Grand Ole Opry debut on November 9, 2021.[16] On July 7, 2022, he was invited by fellow country singer Craig Morgan to join him on stage at the Opry to perform "Almost Home".[17] On May 9, 2022, Jelly Roll scored his first number one on rock radio with the track "Dead Man Walking".[18] In January 2023, Jelly Roll scored his first number-one song on country radio with his debut country single "Son of a Sinner", written by himself, Ernest, and David Ray Stevens. The track was the second single from his eighth studio album, Ballads of the Broken, and also peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.[19] In February 2023, he made history with a record-breaking 25th week at number 1 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart.[20] Jelly Roll sold out Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on December 9, 2022, to 15,000 fans and was joined by Chris Young, Sam Hunt, Riley Green, Shinedown, Ernest, Struggle Jennings, Tech N9ne, and Krizz Kaliko.[21] In the summer of 2023, he completed a 44-city 'Backroad Baptism Tour'.[22] At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, Jelly Roll won for Male Video of the Year, Male Breakthrough Video of the Year, and Digital-First Performance of the Year, all for the song "Son of a Sinner".[23][24] Jelly Roll released his ninth studio album, Whitsitt Chapel, featuring the single "Need a Favor" on June 2, 2023.[25] In November 2023, Jelly Roll won the award for New Artist of the Year at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards. In January 2024, Jelly Roll testified before the U.S. Congress, in support of anti-fentanyl legislation.[26] Explaining his perspective as a former distributor of illegal drugs, Jelly Roll stated before the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, “I was a part of the problem. I am here now, standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution".[27]

In April 2024, Jelly Roll was sued by Pennsylvania-based wedding band Jellyroll for trademark infringement.[28] The case was later settled out of court.[29] In June 2024, he appeared in the country music documentary Rebel Country. The film opens with a reenactment of his arrest in Tennessee.[30][31] In July 2024, Jelly Roll was featured on Eminem's twelfth album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), on the track "Somebody Save Me", which sampled his song "Save Me". He appeared in its music video released the following month.[32] On July 8, Jelly Roll made his first international appearance at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario.[33] On August 23, 2024, Jelly Roll announced his tenth studio album, Beautifully Broken. It was released on October 11, 2024.[34]

In September 2024, Jelly Roll was the first musical guest of the 50th season of Saturday Night Live performing "Liar" and "Winning Streak."[35][36] Jelly Roll also appeared on SNL50: The Homecoming Concert[37] backed by The Roots, performing a Johnny Cash medley consisting of "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Ring of Fire" and joining Snoop Dogg for "Last Dance with Mary Jane."[38]

In November 2024, Jelly Roll released the song "Run It", from the soundtrack of the film Sonic the Hedgehog 3.[39] On December 3, 2024, a music video for the song was released, featuring clips from the film and original footage in the style of its end credits sequence.

He collaborated with Brandon Lake on a version of Lake's single "Hard Fought Hallelujah", which was released in 2025.[40] This version won the "Song of the Year" award at the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards, which is voted on by fans of Christian music.[41]

Jelly Roll is featured on the song "Amen" by American musician Shaboozey, released on April 25, 2025. The track is included on the complete edition of Shaboozey's third studio album, Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going.

On August 8, 2025, he released the single "Holy Water" with Marshmello.[42]

Acting

Jelly Roll made his television debut on the television drama series Tulsa King with Sylvester Stallone. The episode was released in September 2024 and featured Jelly Roll performing a rendition of "I Am Not Okay".[43] He also appeared in Fire Country as Noah, a nursing home worker who gives Vince Leone positive advice. His song "Dreams Don't Die" was used as background for the episode.[44][better source needed]

Professional wrestling

Jelly Roll started making appearances for the American professional wrestling promotion WWE with a performance at SummerSlam 2024, after which he delivered a chokeslam and a chair shot to both Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. On July 11, 2025, Jelly Roll performed on WWE SmackDown where he was interrupted by Logan Paul, setting up a rivalry with Paul and Drew McIntyre and an alliance with Randy Orton. Jelly Roll appeared at Saturday Night's Main Event XL the next night, aiding Orton in his match against McIntyre and attempted to fend off Paul, establishing himself as a babyface. It was subsequently announced that Jelly Roll would compete in a tag team match with Orton against McIntyre and Paul at that years SummerSlam. On Night 1 of the event on August 2, Jelly Roll and Orton lost to McIntyre and Paul.

On August 31, Jelly Roll was seen as a spectator for Clash in Paris.

Other media

Jelly Roll's "Liar" is included as a featured soundtrack song in the video game NASCAR 25.[45]