It’s no secret that Jelly Roll has become one of the most recognizable names in all of mainstream country music over the past year.
Born Jason DeFord, the 38-year-old started his music career as a rapper before making a full transition into country music, landing a number of smash hits such as “Need A Favor,” “Son Of A Sinner,” and “Save Me.”
Not to mention, he has one of the coolest stories you’ll ever hear, after he spent most of his juvenile and early adult years in and out of prison. Who doesn’t love a redemption story like this? Going from a life of crime to doing a complete 180, and becoming one of the top names in all of country music.
Jelly Roll has garnered a massive following. And two of his biggest fans? None other than Joe Rogan and legendary bowhunter Cameron Hanes.
Hanes made an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast a while back and had nothing but great things to say about the former rapper turned rising country star.
Rogan kicked things off by saying:
“Great story too. F*cked up as a 15-year-old, gets arrested, all this time in prison, comes out and he’s got the voice of an angel.”
Hanes added:
“I’m addicted to his music… because it’s real. You feel like a soul. Not a tragedy, there’s so much emotion in it.”
Rogan agreed:
“You can’t fake that kind of authenticity. What that guy is is authentic. You know ‘Need A Favor?’ ‘I only talk to God when I need a favor?’
… Like they discovered that guy with tattoos on his face and he looks like a thug.”
The two then begin to listen to “Need A Favor.”
Hanes also discussed the authenticity in the song itself:
“There’s no denying that talent, the storytelling. It’s like the storytelling attribute is the voice itself, and how he delivers it. And then on top of it, the lyrics. So you put that all together, and something magic like Jelly Roll.
I think a lot of people can identify, because nobody is praying when things are going great… They’re like ‘God, please give me another chance’ when somebody f*cks up. It’s not when it’s going great.”
Rogan added:
“You’ve got to cherish those kinds of people. It’s a rare diamond created by that kind of pressure.”
You can check out the full conversation below:
And then, Hanes came on the podcast again this past weekend and had more great things to say about Jelly Roll after meeting him in person.
Cam revealed that he recently saw Jelly Roll at the Grand Ole Opry and confirmed that he was the nicest dude on the planet.
“It was amazing how welcoming and kind and thoughtful… talks to the people, makes people cry in between songs because he’s so heartfelt.
I don’t know a nicer, a better person, and he’s f*cking nominated for 2 Grammys… what a journey.”
Check it out:
