Country star Jelly Roll seeks pardon from criminal past

US country music star Jelly Roll is seeking a pardon to wipe his criminal convictions from the record, after spending time behind bars as a teenager.

He told the Tennessee Board of Parole that while in detention, he fell in love with songwriting which he says changed his life in ways he “never dreamed imaginable”.

Now aged 40, the rapper-turned-country singer, real name Jason DeFord, wants to be able to travel internationally to perform, but his criminal past currently makes that difficult.

“I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be – to let them know that change is truly possible,” Jelly Roll told the board, which has recommended a pardon. The final decision rests with the state’s Republican Governor Bill Lee.

The singer broke into country music with the 2023 album “Whitsitt Chapel” and crossover songs like “Need a Favor”. He has been recognised at both the CMT Music Awards and Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and earned four Grammy nominations, including for new artist of the year.

As a part of the pardon application, friends and local leaders wrote to the board about Jelly Roll’s transformation and generosity.

Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall described how the star had an awakening in one of the jails he managed, while Live Nation Entertainment CEO and President Michael Rapino pointed out his charity work.

Jelly Roll has spoken openly about his criminal record and what it has taken to overcome it. He often visits jails before performing concerts and helps feed people who are homeless.

Due to his criminal record, which includes a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23, he says it “takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork” to perform internationally, sometimes requiring special permits.

Last year, he gave evidence before a Senate committee about his own drug addiction and called for stronger legislation against the fentanyl crisis, saying he has “attended more funerals than I care to share”.

He was recently able to make his first international tour, taking in Canada and the UK, where he spoke about a rehabilitation programme.

Governor Lee said every case seeking clemency, such as pardons, is equally important and goes through a thorough process.

“The reporting on Jelly Roll, that’s encouraging for his situation, but there are steps yet to happen in that case,” he told reporters.