Jelly Roll Pardoned for Past Drug, Robbery Convictions by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee

Jelly Roll received a pardon on Thursday, December 18, for past criminal convictions in his home state of Tennessee.

The hitmaker was among 33 people granted pardons by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee during the politician’s annual holiday gathering at his residence.

“His story is remarkable,” Lee told reporters, according to the Associated Press, calling Jelly Roll’s journey a “redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for.”

Born Jason Bradley DeFord, Jelly Roll grew up in Antioch, Tennessee, and has been candid about his past, which includes drug-related felonies and a robbery conviction, as well as years of addiction and time behind bars.

In recent years, he has used his platform to push for change, visiting correctional facilities and speaking openly about addiction, including testifying before Congress on the fentanyl crisis.

Lee emphasized that Jelly Roll’s celebrity status played no role in the decision, noting that the artist went through the same application and review process as any other candidate. The state parole board unanimously recommended the artist’s pardon in April.

Jelly Roll attended the holiday event at the governor’s mansion, where he met Lee for the first time and embraced him during the celebration, according to the report.

Now 41, the Grammy-nominated artist has become known for music about redemption and resilience. He broke through to mainstream success in 2023 with his debut album Whitsitt Chapel. 

He’s also recently made headlines for his 200 pound weight loss, a result of vowing to change his lifestyle in 2023.