Jelly Roll has performed at stadiums and arenas around the world | Credit: IMAGO / Capital Pictures
In the crowded landscape of music and entertainment, few stories resonate as deeply as JellyRoll’s. A tale of transformation, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity. From underground rap battles in Nashville to the global stage, and from wrestling rings to the hearts of millions, he's seen the entire gamut.
In a candid interview with Chris Van Vliet, Roll opened up about his life, and how his rise began not with fanfare, but with raw, unapologetic expression.
“I never thought I was going to get out of clubs,” he recalls. “I thought like Tech N9ne was one of my favorite underground rappers ever. If I could have just a third of his career… that would have been crazy.” His early collaborations, including platinum success with Creature alongside Tech N9ne, hinted at the potential he was only beginning to realize.
Yet it was Save Me that became the turning point. “There was a lot of things leaning that way,” he admits. “Creature went platinum, Bottle and Mary Jane, I had a bunch of songs gaining steam, but something about Save Me just resonated in a way I could have never predicted.” He describes the moment not as fame, but as a connection: a realization that his personal struggles could touch the lives of others.
In the past few years, JellyRoll’s career has only accelerated. Collaborations such as Bloodline with Alex Warren, and the reflective Amen with Shabuzi, have reached staggering audiences. “Every song I put out this year… they’re all features. I haven’t put out a JellyRoll song yet, but every one is on pace to be bigger than every song I’ve ever had. It’s crazy.”
He reflects on the irony and beauty of music: “When I first started, I thought I was writing because nobody felt what I was feeling. Then I realized everybody’s had a rough day, lost someone they loved, felt hopeless… I’m not just telling my story anymore. I’m telling our story.”
It is this purpose that defines his music, a fusion of personal catharsis and universal relatability. “Sometimes I write songs about things nobody’s talking about. I hope I can reframe it in a way that makes somebody feel okay going to get help,” he explains. “It’s always trying to write with purpose.”
JellyRoll’s connection with his audience is palpable. He recalls receiving messages from fans in Australia, telling him how his songs helped them cope with everything from loss to personal struggles. “I never would have thought like I’m getting messages from Australians… I didn’t think my music was going to make it out of South Nashville. And to go somewhere 16 hours away and sell out an arena… I’m grateful for that.”
Yet music is only part of JellyRoll’s story. His foray into professional wrestling has become a defining chapter, blending performance with vulnerability. He recounts a defining moment during a match: “I stopped, looked up, and I let that 60,000 person swell. And I’ll never forget, it’s the only time I think Shane gave me credit for something… I needed that moment for me. I needed to just feel it. That place roared.”
That moment exemplifies his approach: immersion and presence. “I’m that present in every show I do. I remember every face, every sign. I connect that deeply with it. That’s why I love performance so much.”
JellyRoll’s wrestling journey is also strategic, exploring the intricate storytelling WWE offers. “You think long-form storytelling is dead? No, you’re just not paying attention. Every little seed planted… three, four months ago, it could turn into something huge. It’s like watching Easter eggs come to life.” He talks about alliances, rivalries, and the thrill of uncertainty: “Paul Heyman has options, and that’s when wrestling’s at its best. You never know where he could go. It keeps you watching.”
He is candid about the challenges of entering the ring. “I started getting really comfortable bumping the week we went out there. I have so much more I can do… If I’m the last one getting Santi Oled up, I’ve got to do my part.” For JellyRoll, wrestling is more than entertainment; it is another arena in which he tests himself, pushes boundaries, and grows as a performer.
He envisions a future in the ring as well. “I’d like to get involved for like a six to nine month run. I definitely got to do one more though, man. Just because I did it once and I think I was prepared, but I wasn’t really prepared. I know I could have done a little better. I want to leave it all in there next time.”
The turning point in Jelly Roll's life
Jelly Roll says fatherhood changed him | Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Beyond the stage and the ring lies JellyRoll’s most profound transformation: his personal journey. From a life punctuated by mistakes and legal trouble to a disciplined routine of fitness, fatherhood, and faith, he credits pivotal moments of love and responsibility for his turnaround.
“The moment that made me change everything? Becoming a father. Beautiful little girl… She was born when I was in jail, and that kind of news put a spotlight on how horrible of a human I was to myself. I didn’t deserve to be responsible for another human,” he recalls. That realization sparked a chain reaction — a recommitment to health, self-love, and purpose.
Fitness, too, became a medium of growth. “I hit 540 pounds once, and now I’m running, walking, training. I want to run a 50K ultramarathon in the mountains. It’s a measurable goal, a SMART goal — strategic, measurable, actionable.” Each milestone, whether a first 5K or a future ultramarathon, is framed as both a challenge and a celebration of transformation.
His journey into wellness was deliberate. “I didn’t want a crutch. I didn’t want to rely on a treadmill or a gym. I tied my shoes, went outside, walked. I made a choice to be present with life, in the air, in the rain, feeling it all. That was gratitude in motion.” He found joy in small victories — neighbors cheering as he ran, moments of sunlight and fresh air that made him feel alive again.
Faith remains central to his transformation. “I’m grateful for my family, my marriage, my faith — growing in it every day. I’m a cussing Christian, but I still get closer to God every day,” he says with candid warmth. This blend of humility and gratitude defines his perspective: “I don’t feel like I have to appease a certain group. I know what me and God got going. And I’m grateful for that.”
JellyRoll’s story is ultimately about connection — to music, to performance, and to people. “Even with everything, I have a smile on my face. I love seeing life in others. I love my kids, my wife, my craft… What’s not to be excited about?”
He emphasizes the universality of emotion in his work. “When I first started, I thought nobody else felt what I was feeling. Then I realized everybody’s had a rough day, lost someone, felt hopeless. I’m not just telling my story anymore. I’m telling our story.” This philosophy guides his music, his wrestling, and his interactions.
He also practices reflection, inspired by AA-style inventories. “Every night, I review interactions: where did I win, where did I fall short? Not just with family, but with a cashier, a colleague… I make peace, then I do better the next day. It changes how I live.”
Even play has a place in his life. Imagining a “Survivor Series” wrestling team made up of country music stars, JellyRoll considers strategy, size, and scrappy resilience — Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, and Riley Green. “It’s fun to think about. Even Post Malone wants in if anyone gets injured. That’s just the kind of crossover world we’re in now.”
Global reach, Local heart
Jelly Roll in his element | Credit: IMAGO / Capital Pictures
Despite international recognition, JellyRoll remains grounded. “I thought maybe it’d make it to East Nashville at best. And somehow it made it to the other side of the world. I’m grateful for that.” His gratitude extends beyond fans to collaborators, family, and mentors who shaped his path.
He reflects on the rare privilege of being able to travel for music while maintaining presence at home. “You can go hang out with UFC fighters, recording artists, and still tuck your kids in bed that night. It’s incredible. What’s not to be excited about?”
What emerges from JellyRoll’s story is more than the sum of accomplishments — it is a narrative of connection, resilience, and purpose. Music, wrestling, fitness, faith, and family converge into a life lived fully, intentionally, and with gratitude.
From South Nashville to the global stage, from music studios to wrestling rings, JellyRoll’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, connection, and the power of dreaming bigger. Through it all, one theme remains: gratitude, in every note, every match, every moment.
He dreams bigger now than ever: not for fame, but for depth. “Every song, every match, every challenge… it’s about connecting, about leaving it all in the ring, in the studio, in the world.” And in that, JellyRoll is an example of what’s possible when you embrace your authentic self, without apology, without fear.
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