Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter born on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee. He became widely recognized for combining country music, hip-hop, and rock with personal storytelling. His journey from independent music releases to award-winning albums has attracted a large audience. Beyond his career, fans are interested in his weight loss journey, former marriage to Bunnie XO, children, family background, and estimated net worth.
Jelly Roll Age – Complete Biography and Personal Details
| Category | Detailed Information |
| Full Name | Jason Bradley DeFord |
| Stage Name | Jelly Roll |
| Date of Birth | December 4, 1984 |
| Jelly Roll Age | 41 years old (as of November 3, 2026) |
| Height | Not reliably confirmed in public sources |
| Birthplace | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Hometown | Antioch, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Not reliably confirmed |
| Religion | Has publicly discussed his Christian faith |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Profession | Singer, rapper, songwriter |
| Famous For | Country-rap music, emotional songwriting, and songs such as “Save Me” and “Son of a Sinner” |
| Music Genres | Country, hip-hop, rap, rock, Southern music |
| Nickname | Jelly Roll |
| Father | Horace “Buddy” DeFord |
| Mother | Her name is not consistently confirmed in reliable public biographies |
| Siblings | Three older half-siblings |
| Older Brother | Roger DeFord |
| Older Brother | Scott DeFord |
| Older Sister | Shelby DeFord |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Former Wife | Bunnie XO (Alisa Andrea DeFord) |
| Marriage Date | August 31, 2016 |
| Divorce | Finalized in July 2026, according to published reports |
| Children | Two |
| Daughter | Bailee Ann |
| Son | Noah Buddy |
| Children’s Mothers | His children are from two previous relationships |
| Height in Feet | Not reliably verified |
| Weight | Approximately 265 pounds as reported in November 2025; not a verified current measurement |
| Weight at Heaviest | Approximately 540 pounds, according to his public accounts |
| Total Weight Loss | Nearly 275–300 pounds, according to different reports during his transformation |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Not reliably confirmed |
| Facial Hair | Beard |
| Body Art | Multiple visible tattoos |
| Education | Earned his GED while incarcerated |
| College | No publicly confirmed college degree |
| School Background | Attended school in the Nashville area |
| Music Career Beginning | Began writing rap lyrics during childhood and released independent music |
| Record Label | Stoney Creek Records / BBR Music Group |
| First Major Studio Album | Ballads of the Broken (2021) |
| Popular Album | Whitsitt Chapel (2023) |
| Latest Major Album | Beautifully Broken (2024) |
| Popular Song | Save Me |
| Popular Song | Son of a Sinner |
| Popular Song | Need a Favor |
| Popular Song | I Am Not Okay |
| Popular Song | Liar |
| Popular Song | Heart of Stone |
| Popular Collaboration | Save Me featuring Lainey Wilson |
| Popular Collaboration | Amen featuring Shaboozey |
| Popular Collaboration | Hard Fought Hallelujah with Brandon Lake |
| CMA Achievement | Won New Artist of the Year in 2023 |
| Grammy Awards | Three wins from seven nominations as of 2026 |
| Grand Ole Opry | Inducted on March 10, 2026 |
| Billboard Achievement | Beautifully Broken debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $20 million; not an officially disclosed figure |
| Main Income Sources | Music sales, streaming, concert tours, songwriting, collaborations, and merchandise |
| Hobbies and Interests | Music, songwriting, performing, fitness, and community outreach |
| Fitness Interests | Running, walking, exercise, and healthier lifestyle habits |
| Weight Loss Motivation | Improving his health and building a more active lifestyle |
| Public Charity Interests | Youth support, rehabilitation, and helping people affected by incarceration |
| @jellyroll615 | |
| Official Website | jellyroll.com |
| YouTube | Jelly Roll Official |
| Notable Documentary | Jelly Roll: Save Me (2023) |
| Television Appearance | Saturday Night Live |
Jelly Roll Images
A Timeline of Jelly Roll’s Public Career: From Independent Rapper to Grammy-Winning Country Star
| Year | Career Milestone | Details |
| Early 2000s | Musical Beginnings | Started developing his music career through rap, hip-hop, songwriting, and independent mixtapes. |
| 2005 | Independent Music | Continued recording and building an audience in Nashville’s underground hip-hop scene. |
| 2011 | SNO Collaboration | Worked with Lil Wyte and BPZ on the collaborative project Year Round. |
| 2011 | Strictly Business | Released a collaborative album with Nashville rapper Haystak. |
| 2012 | The Big Sal Story | Released his independent solo album, expanding his presence in Southern hip-hop. |
| 2013 | No Filter | Collaborated with Lil Wyte on another music project. |
| 2013 | Business as Usual | Released a collaborative album with Haystak. |
| 2014 | Biggest Loser | Released another solo album and continued developing his independent sound. |
| 2016 | Sobriety Sucks | Released an album that helped expand his independent music audience. |
| 2017 | Addiction Kills | Released a new solo project and continued exploring personal subjects through rap. |
| 2017 | Waylon & Willie | Began a collaborative album series with Struggle Jennings. |
| 2018 | Goodnight Nashville | Released another solo project while continuing his collaborations. |
| 2019 | Crosses and Crossroads | Released an EP as his musical style continued to evolve. |
| 2020 | A Beautiful Disaster | Released an album featuring collaborations with several artists, including Lil Wyte and Struggle Jennings. |
| 2020 | Save Me | Released “Save Me,” a deeply personal song that introduced his singing and country-influenced sound to a wider audience. |
| 2021 | Ballads of the Broken | Released an album featuring “Dead Man Walking” and “Son of a Sinner.” |
| November 2021 | Grand Ole Opry Debut | Made his first performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. |
| 2022 | Country Music Breakthrough | “Son of a Sinner” reached No. 1 on country radio, while “Dead Man Walking” topped rock radio. |
| 2023 | Whitsitt Chapel | Released his debut country album, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. |
| 2023 | CMT Music Awards | Won three awards, including Breakthrough Male Video of the Year for “Son of a Sinner.” |
| 2023 | CMA New Artist of the Year | Received the Country Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award. |
| 2023 | Backroad Baptism Tour | Headlined a major 44-city tour across the United States. |
| 2023 | Grammy Recognition | Received his first Grammy nominations. |
| 2024 | Beautifully Broken | Released his album on October 11, featuring songs including “I Am Not Okay” and “Liar.” |
| 2024 | Billboard 200 No. 1 | Achieved his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with Beautifully Broken. |
| 2025 | American Idol | Joined the television singing competition as an artist in residence. |
| 2025 | Stagecoach Festival | Performed as a headliner at the Stagecoach Music Festival. |
| 2025 | Stadium Tour | Joined Post Malone for the BIG ASS Stadium Tour. |
| 2026 | Grammy Awards | Won three Grammy Awards, bringing his total Grammy wins to three. |
| March 2026 | Grand Ole Opry Membership | Officially became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on March 10. |
| 2026 | Continued Musical Success | Continued receiving recognition for Beautifully Broken and his collaborations. |
Jelly Roll’s Family: Parents, Siblings, Wife and Children
Jelly Roll’s Family Members
| Family Member | Name | Details |
| Father | Horace “Buddy” DeFord | Ran a wholesale meat business and passed away from cancer in March 2019. |
| Mother | Name not publicly disclosed | Gave him the nickname Jelly Roll and introduced him to music during childhood. |
| Half-Brother | Roger | One of his three older half-siblings. |
| Half-Brother | Scott | One of his three older half-siblings. |
| Half-Sister | Shelby | One of his three older half-siblings. |
| Former Wife | Bunnie XO (Alisa Andrea DeFord) | Married Jelly Roll in August 2016. Their divorce was finalized in July 2026. |
| Daughter | Bailee Ann | Born in May 2008. She has developed an interest in songwriting and music. |
| Son | Noah Buddy | Born in August 2016. Jelly Roll generally keeps his son’s private life away from public attention. |
| Daughter’s Mother | Felicia Beckwith | Bailee’s biological mother. |
| Son’s Mother | Melisa Ann Cowell | Noah’s biological mother. |
Jelly Roll’s Awards and Achievements: Major Music Honors and Career Recognition
Jelly Roll has received recognition from several major music organizations, including the Country Music Association, CMT, the Grammy Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards. His success reflects his transition from independent hip-hop releases to mainstream country music. His award-winning songs, albums, and collaborations have helped establish his position in the music industry.
| Year | Award Organization | Award Category | Work / Achievement | Result |
| 2023 | CMT Music Awards | Breakthrough Male Video of the Year | Son of a Sinner | Won |
| 2023 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | Son of a Sinner | Won |
| 2023 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | Need a Favor | Won |
| 2023 | Country Music Association Awards | New Artist of the Year | Jelly Roll | Won |
| 2023 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2023 | Country Music Association Awards | Single of the Year | Need a Favor | Nominated |
| 2023 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2024 | CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year | Need a Favor | Won |
| 2024 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | Need a Favor | Won |
| 2024 | CMT Music Awards | Collaborative Video of the Year | Save Me (with Lainey Wilson) | Won |
| 2024 | People’s Choice Awards | Male Country Artist of the Year | Jelly Roll | Won |
| 2024 | Billboard Music Awards | Breakthrough Award | Jelly Roll | Won |
| 2024 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Duo/Group Performance | Save Me (with Lainey Wilson) | Nominated |
| 2024 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2024 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Solo Performance | I Am Not Okay | Nominated |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Song | I Am Not Okay | Nominated |
| 2025 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2025 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album | Beautifully Broken | Nominated |
| 2025 | MTV Video Music Awards | Video for Good | Somebody Save Me (with Eminem) | Won |
| 2025 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2025 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Jelly Roll | Nominated |
| 2025 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Music Event of the Year | Lonely Road (with MGK) | Nominated |
| 2025 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Visual Media of the Year | I Am Not Okay | Nominated |
| 2025 | Dove Awards | Song of the Year | Hard Fought Hallelujah (with Brandon Lake) | Won |
| 2026 | Grammy Awards | Best Contemporary Country Album | Beautifully Broken | Won |
| 2026 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Duo/Group Performance | Amen (with Shaboozey) | Won |
| 2026 | Grammy Awards | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Hard Fought Hallelujah (with Brandon Lake) | Won |
| 2026 | Grand Ole Opry | Membership Induction | Jelly Roll | Inducted |
Jelly Roll’s Social Media Accounts
| Social Media Platform | Official Account |
| @jellyroll615 | |
| TikTok | @officialjellyroll |
| Jelly Roll | |
| YouTube | Jelly Roll |
| X (Twitter) | @JellyRoll615 |
| Spotify | Jelly Roll |
