What is Jelly Roll's Net Worth?
Jelly Roll is a rapper, country-rock singer-songwriter, and breakout crossover star who has a net worth of $16 million. Blending Southern hip hop roots with raw, emotional lyrics and genre-defying production, Jelly Roll built a loyal following through independent releases and relentless touring before achieving mainstream success. He is known for collaborations with Haystak, Struggle Jennings, Lil Wyte, and Tech N9ne, as well as for solo albums like "Addiction Kills," "A Beautiful Disaster," and "Ballads of the Broken." His breakout single "Son of a Sinner" topped country radio and won multiple CMT Awards, while his power ballad "Save Me" became one of his signature songs, earning platinum status and eventually being re-recorded in high-profile duets with Lainey Wilson and Eminem. In 2024, Jelly Roll launched a massive co-headlining tour with Post Malone, cementing his status as one of the most unconventional success stories in contemporary music.
Early Life
Jelly Roll was born Jason DeFord on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in the Antioch neighborhood. His early life was marked by instability, poverty, and brushes with the criminal justice system. He spent time in juvenile detention and later jail, where he earned his G.E.D. at the age of 23. Music became his escape and eventually his salvation.
Recording Career
Jelly Roll began releasing music independently in the early 2010s, drawing attention with his 2011 album "Year Round" as part of the hip hop trio SNO with Lil Wyte and BPZ. That same year, he dropped the mixtape "Gamblin' on a White Boy 4" and partnered with Haystak for the collaborative album "Strictly Business." He released his solo debut, "The Big Sal Story," in 2012.
Over the next few years, Jelly Roll built a prolific catalog that blurred genre lines. Highlights include 2013's "No Filter" with Lil Wyte, 2015's "Therapeutic Music 5," and 2016's "Sobriety Sucks" and "No Filter 2." He began working closely with Struggle Jennings, releasing a series of "Waylon & Willie" albums that merged outlaw country with Southern rap and personal storytelling.
The turning point came in 2020 with the release of "A Beautiful Disaster," his first album to chart on the Billboard 200. That was followed by "Self Medicated" and "Ballads of the Broken," which elevated his status as a serious songwriter. The single "Son of a Sinner" cracked the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to top country radio in 2023, earning him three CMT Music Awards.
Another major milestone was the success of "Save Me," a stripped-down acoustic ballad about addiction and redemption. Originally released independently, the song struck a deep emotional chord with fans and became a streaming juggernaut. A 2023 duet version with Lainey Wilson was certified multi-platinum, and in 2024, Eminem recorded his own version in collaboration with Jelly Roll — a career-defining co-sign from one of hip hop's most respected voices.
In June 2023, Jelly Roll released the album "Whitsitt Chapel," which included "Need a Favor" and showcased his continued fusion of country, rock, gospel, and rap. The album debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 and further solidified his place as a crossover artist.

(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT).
Touring & Live Performances
Known for his emotional connection with fans and commanding stage presence, Jelly Roll has become one of the most in-demand touring acts in America. In late 2022, he sold out Nashville's Bridgestone Arena in a star-studded hometown show featuring Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Shinedown, Tech N9ne, and others. His 2023 Backroad Baptism Tour spanned 44 cities and was a commercial success.
In 2024, Jelly Roll took another major step forward by launching a co-headlining arena and stadium tour with Post Malone. The tour was billed as a genre-defying spectacle, blending hip hop, country, and rock in a way few artists could authentically pull off. The pairing drew massive crowds and rave reviews, highlighting the deep fan bases both artists command.
Personal Life
Jelly Roll has been open about his past struggles with addiction, incarceration, and mental health — themes that are deeply woven into his lyrics. His honesty has endeared him to fans who see his music as both therapeutic and relatable.
He has been married to model and podcast host Bunnie XO (Bunnie DeFord) since 2016. Bunnie hosts the popular show "Dumb Blonde" and has played an active role in Jelly Roll's rise, often appearing in his videos and behind-the-scenes content. The couple is raising a daughter, Bailee, and a son from a previous relationship.