Jelly Roll was overcome with emotion as he opened up about his past struggles with drug abuse and the law while performing at the CMA Fest.
The country star, 39, shed tears as he reflected on just how far he had come in his life and career while performing in Nashville on Saturday.
‘I was in that juvenile facility. I was in and out of jail. I was in and out of drug addiction and tonight I am headlining CMA Fest on Saturday night in Nashville, Tennessee,’ Jelly Roll – real name Jason Bradley DeFord – explained.
Tears flowed from his eyes as he buried his face in his cap while the crowd cheered and applauded their support.
‘I’m here to tell you that whatever you want to do in your life you can do it I don’t give a f**k what anybody says to you,’ he added.
Jelly Roll was overcome with emotion as he opened up about the challenges he endured while performing at the CMA Fest in Nashville on Saturday
‘I dedicate this song to all the people that live between right and wrong. This song is called Son of a Sinner,’ he added.
The rapper turned country singer spent time in prison for various offenses, including aggravated robbery and drug possession. He battled drug addiction, has been open about his struggles with depression, and has described himself as a ‘broken man’.
DeFord, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, was incarcerated on and off for nearly a decade until 2008 when his first child, daughter Bailee Ann DeFord, was born.
He was first locked up at age 13, held in a juvenile facility, after being caught with marijuana. By the time he was 15, the musician had tried many drugs including pills, cocaine, acid, mushrooms and meth.
DeFord landed himself an 18-month sentence at 16 years old after being charged as an adult in an aggravated assault case that saw him attempt to steal marijuana from someone whilst armed.
During his teenage years and early twenties, he was in and out of jail for numerous minor offenses such as violating probation and failing drug tests. He was also jailed for possessing crack with the intent to resell.
He vowed to turn his life around after the birth of his daughter. DeFord, then 23, was in prison when he learned that Bailee Ann had been born.
The singer previously revealed: ‘I was incarcerated when a guard knocked on my cell door and delivered the news that my daughter had been born.’
The rapper turned country singer spent time in prison for various offenses, including aggravated robbery and drug possession
The singer dedicated his song Son of a Sinner to those living in ‘between right and wrong’
‘I was in that juvenile facility. I was in and out of jail,’ he recalled
DeFord, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, was incarcerated on and off for nearly a decade until 2008 when his first child, daughter Bailee Ann DeFord, was born
DeFord and his wife Bunnie XO have since revealed they are now undergoing IVF to have a child together
Bailee Ann’s mother is his ex Felicia, a former drug addict who has also been in and out of jail.
DeFord’s current wife, former escort Bunnie XO, helped him get custody of Bailee Ann in 2016, and the pair have raised her together ever since.
DeFord also shares a son, Noah Buddy DeFord, with ex Melissa, with whom he and Bunnie seemingly have a good relationship.
DeFord and Bunnie XO have since revealed they are now undergoing IVF to have a child together.
Last year, DeFord earned several accolades for his musical contributions and received nominations for two Grammys, including in the prestigious category of best new artist.
He won three Country Music Television (CMT) Awards including Male Video of the Year, Male Breakthrough Video of the Year, and Digital-First Performance of the Year. He also received the CMA award for New Artist of the Year.
