Jelly Roll on His Rise from a Troubled Past (October 2024)

Sun Mar 09 2025

Willie Geist sits down with former rapper turned country artist, Jelly Roll, ahead of his latest album, "Beautifully Broken". He tells the story of his troubled upbringing and how he turned it all around, now selling out the biggest arenas in the country. (Original broadcast date October 6, 2024)

Summary

Summary of "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist" Episode: Jelly Roll on His Rise from a Troubled Past

Release Date: March 9, 2025

In this compelling episode of NBC's "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist," host Willie Geist engages in an in-depth conversation with the multifaceted artist Jelly Roll (real name Jason Deford). The discussion navigates through Jelly Roll's tumultuous past, his transformative journey towards redemption, and his ascension in the music industry from hip-hop to country music. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of their conversation, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps.

1. Introduction to Jelly Roll's Rise

Willie Geist opens the episode by expressing enthusiasm about his guest, Jelly Roll, highlighting his evolution from a rapper to a prominent figure in country music.

[01:11] Willie Geist: "Man, am I excited for you to hear my conversation this week with one of the brightest, most talented and honestly most inspiring stars in all of music right now."

2. A Glimpse into Jelly Roll's Success

Jelly Roll discusses his recent achievements, including sold-out shows at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and his appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). He reflects on the whirlwind pace of his career and the honor of performing at events like the Global Citizen Festival.

[04:01] Jelly Roll: "Honestly, I'm just happy we got you to sit still for a few minutes here. As busy as you've been lately..."

3. Overcoming a Troubled Youth

The conversation delves into Jelly Roll's challenging past, including his incarceration at a young age and the lasting repercussions of being charged with aggravated robbery as an adult at 16. Despite these hardships, Jelly Roll emphasizes personal accountability and resilience.

[03:28] Jelly Roll: "I was a bad kid."

[03:57] Jelly Roll: "Honestly, I'm just happy we got you to sit still for a few minutes here."

4. The Theme of Redemption and Hope

Jelly Roll articulates his mission to serve as a symbol of redemption and hope for individuals facing similar circumstances. He underscores the importance of owning one's past without succumbing to a victim mentality.

[15:25] Jelly Roll: "I started feeling a responsibility to go clean it up... there's kind of this old saying that you clean up after yourself."

5. Community Engagement and Advocacy

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Jelly Roll's commitment to community service, particularly his collaboration with Judge Jim Todd to support at-risk youth. Jelly Roll shares personal anecdotes about his efforts to give back, demonstrating his dedication to making tangible changes.

[16:26] Jelly Roll: "Jim Todd is now a judge... he is making it a point to go back and start knocking and fixing everything that he thought wasn't right with the system..."

6. Transition from Hip-Hop to Country Music

Jelly Roll narrates his artistic transition from hip-hop to country music, attributing it to his evolving musical expression and storytelling. He draws parallels between the two genres, emphasizing their shared roots in narrative and cultural reflection.

[21:43] Jelly Roll: "Hip hop and country music actually aren't that different. They're telling the stories about what's happening outside their front doors."

7. Impact of "Beautifully Broken" Album

Discussing his latest album, "Beautifully Broken," Jelly Roll explains its personal significance as a diary of his mental health journey. He highlights themes of vulnerability and honesty, aiming to foster a sense of community among listeners.

[11:00] Jelly Roll: "It's very vulnerable and honest, and I was hoping to create a community with it as well."

8. Experiences with Fame and Recognition

Jelly Roll shares his feelings about newfound fame, including his Grammy nominations and recognition within the country music elite. He remains humble, acknowledging the support from established artists and the responsibility that comes with his platform.

[43:18] Jelly Roll: "I don't feel fully fit in there yet... just telling the same story, just in a different way."

9. Personal Reflections and Future Endeavors

In the latter part of the conversation, Jelly Roll reflects on his past performances in small venues juxtaposed with his current large-scale successes. He expresses gratitude for his journey and outlines his intentions to continue evolving as an artist while maintaining his authentic voice.

[47:59] Jelly Roll: "I am telling their story. I'm telling their story."

[50:09] Jelly Roll: "I'm here to tell stories, and I'm just not sure what way I'll be telling stories next year..."

10. Closing Thoughts and Mutual Respect

Willie Geist and Jelly Roll conclude their conversation with mutual respect and admiration. They reflect on Jelly Roll's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to national acclaim, underscoring the transformative power of perseverance and authenticity.

[51:52] Jelly Roll: "I was that guy. I was the CD guy in Nashville."

[55:37] Willie Geist: "Week on the Sunday Sit down podcast."

Conclusion

This episode of "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist" offers an intimate look into Jelly Roll's life, showcasing his resilience in overcoming a troubled past and his dedication to using his platform for positive change. Through heartfelt dialogues and personal anecdotes, Jelly Roll exemplifies the essence of redemption and the impactful role of music in personal and communal healing.

Notable Quotes:

Jelly Roll on Ownership and Redemption:

[15:25] "I started feeling a responsibility to go clean it up... there's kind of this old saying that you clean up after yourself."
On Music as Connection:

[20:30] "Music was a way to connect with her [his mother]."
Reflecting on Fame:

[37:53] "It's all relative. I am not famous, but to me, it's just... the world's starting to feel more like Antioch."
On Community Responsibility:

[48:18] "It's a privilege to have the platform and do it right."

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript were excluded to maintain focus on the meaningful dialogue between Willie Geist and Jelly Roll.

Transcript

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Willie Geist (1:11)

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit down podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. Man, am I excited for you to hear my conversation this week with one of the brightest, most talented and honestly most inspiring stars in all of music right now. He goes by the name of Jelly Rol. His real name is Jason Deford, but his mom gave him the nickname Jelly Roll many, many, many years ago and it has stuck through his life and now through his rise to stardom. If you don't know Jelly Roll, look him up real quick. You'll know him right away. Big guy, face, tattoos, big smile, lots of energy, lots of charisma and lots of talent as a musician. He actually started as a rapper and he's evolved in the last few years to become one of the biggest stars in country music and really has transcended into popular music as well. And I caugh this incredible moment we got together in a hotel room in New York City. I'm surprised he even had an hour to spend with me. He's so busy between everything he's doing and the tour he's on, the album he has coming out beautifully broken. So I caught him in this moment where he had just played a sold out show in Boston at the arena where the Celtics play. Then he had sold out the next night, Madison Square Garden in New York. Next day he headlines the Global Citizen Festival in Central park in New York. Tens of thousands of people in the park watching him. And then that same night he does snl. Next night he sells out the Prudential center in Newark, New Jersey across the river. Then he does Fallon and then goes back out on his tour. So it Was just great to sit.

Jelly Roll (2:44)

With him and just let him kind.

Willie Geist (2:45)

Of take a deep breath and appreciate all that's happened for him. Just honestly, in the last couple of years when he has exploded a very troubled youth that he's very open about. Most of his music, in fact, is about it. You'll hear him talk about it. Went to jail for the first time at 14. At age 16.