He started in a jail cell. Now he’s standing under the Grammy spotlight. “The journey of rapper-turned-country singer Jelly Roll” isn’t just a profile; it’s a portrait of transformation. In this in-depth CBS Sunday Morning feature, we follow Jelly Roll, real name Jason DeFord, from prison bars to country stardom, tracing a story as raw as his music. Raised around addiction, crime and broken dreams, Jelly’s early life was chaotic, but the one thing he always had was music.
Through grainy footage and interviews that pull no punches, we see a man who never planned to survive, let alone thrive. His rap beginnings were real, unpolished, and often mixed with the same darkness that defined his youth. But then, something changed. He started to sing. And when that gravelly, pain-soaked voice hit the first note of “Save Me,” a new chapter opened. Country music didn’t just accept him, it needed him. The scars in his voice made people listen. The honesty made them stay.
The journey of rapper-turned-country singer Jelly Roll
Fans and strangers alike have flooded his journey with support. “He speaks for people like me” one mother says, holding back tears. “He sings what we feel.” That’s what makes this story more than a comeback; it’s a lifeline. Jelly Roll doesn’t hide his past. He wears it like a badge, so others know they’re not alone. And whether he’s singing in rehab centers, juvenile halls, or the Grand Ole Opry, his message is the same: “You’re not too far gone.”
That message turns to fire in “Dead End Road,” his latest release from Twisters: The Album. This time, he’s not just reflecting, he’s racing. The lyrics hit like a confession: “If I’m ever gonna make it on these streets of gold, I gotta quit living on a dead end road.” It’s urgent. It’s gritty. It’s honest. And it doesn’t try to clean anything up.
Jelly Roll – Dead End Road (From Twisters: The Album) [Official Music Video]
The production roars with outlaw country heat, but Jelly’s delivery is still human. There’s pain, but also a fight in his voice. This isn’t the sound of a man who’s given up. It’s the sound of someone fighting like hell to change.
That’s why Jelly Roll keeps rising. He’s not perfect. He’s real. Follow him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok because whether it’s a story, a song, or a second chance, he’ll make you believe it matters.