Jelly Roll may be one of the most successful musicians in the industry today, but his career didn't happen overnight as he struggled with many problems years back; find out how the rapper turned his life upside down from being a drug dealer to one of the most adored artists who inspire other people.
According to Billboard, the musician, whose real name is Jason DeFord, will be having a homecoming concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee to perform in front of over 19,000 fans this Friday.
Throughout his career, Jelly Roll has dominated the Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart for his song "Dead Man Walking" as well as the Country Airplay Chart for "Son of a Sinner."
Jelly Roll's Tragic Early Years
Long before he became a chart-dominating artist, the rapper/singer struggled with his early life. He's been in and out of the juvenile detention center since he was 14 years old.
To give back to the community, he went back to the center to speak to teenagers who were in the same position as he was in years ago.
Jelly Roll noted that he spent 18 months of his life in the facility and it was a turning point for him, but at the same time, it was the same place where he found his love and passion for rap music.
"I found my real love for rapping here. I loved all music as a listener, but I didn't think I could sing, but there was something about rhythmic rapping and poetry that I understood," he told the outlet.
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One of the main reasons why he became interested in music was because radio was their only form of entertainment behind bars.
Speaking about his personal experience within Nashville, saying their town used to be tiny, but there were many drug dealers. It was the same time when he met Impact Youth Outreach president Robert C. Sherill whom he considered as the person who got through youth problems the same time as him.
"I chased the creative arts and he traced entrepreneurship, and wanted to give back to the youth. It's a beautiful connection - and we look cool together," he said.
Today, he wanted to be an inspiration to people who are struggling and he considers himself as a "beacon of hope" for everyone.
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