Jelly Roll spent most of his young life in jail, between the ages of 14 and 25. He was charged as an adult for a serious crime at age 16. This was an armed robbery where he took money and belongings. He was carrying a gun at the time. He did not know how much that one choice would hurt his future.
Today, that felony charge from 20 years ago still follows him. He cannot get life insurance or even volunteer at the YMCA. He was recently denied his dream home in a guarded community because of his past. He deeply regrets the time lost, having spent his 15th through 20th birthdays behind bars. He now uses his voice to talk about this challenging life.
The Moment Jelly Roll Decided to Change His Life for Good
People love that Jelly Roll is so open about his journey. One viewer said he gives off a “peaceful, honest vibe” that never seems fake. Another comment noted that his honesty about his past mistakes is “truly admirable.” Fans have said they cried and laughed while listening to him. He makes music that should be “felt, not just heard.”
Jelly Roll does not only talk about his painful past. He uses his experience to help others who are struggling just like he did. His life journey has taken him from a jail cell to the biggest stages. Now, he is fighting a new, public battle. This time, he stands up for people hurt by the drug crisis in America.
Watch Jelly Roll deliver testimony at Senate hearing on fentanyl bill
Jelly Roll went to the Senate to speak about the terrible fentanyl crisis. He shared that about 190 people die from overdoses every day. He knows the pain because his own daughter’s mother struggles with addiction. He told lawmakers that he used to be a dealer, but now he wants to be part of the solution.10 He pushed them to stop both the drug supply and the demand.
Jelly Roll’s music and message are real because they come from a challenging, honest journey. He shows everyone that you are not defined by your worst moment. He puts heart into every song and every speech. To see more of his powerful work and life story, follow Jelly Roll on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.