Jelly Roll Remembers How Far He’s Come In Life

It seems that no matter how famous he gets, Jelly Roll will never forget where he has come from.

Earlier this week, the superstar took time out of his busy touring schedule to visit Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis, Minnesota, just hours before his concert at the U.S. Bank Stadium just down the street.

Jelly is not a stranger to incarceration, as he spent many years in and out of jail from the time he was 14.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s office thanked Jelly for the visit, posting on social media that the singer met with staff and shared his inspirational story with the inmates.

“HCSO is still reeling from a surprise visit this afternoon at the Adult Detention Center. Ahead of his concert tonight, Jelly Roll made a special appearance inside our jail, meeting the sheriff, staff, and sharing his inspirational story with detainees. He spoke to detainees and described how he turned his life around after being locked up for years and becoming a father,” the post read.

Jelly’s Inspirational Journey

While Jelly Roll has become a mega-star and incredibly successful in his career, his life has been nothing short of easy.

The Tennessee native experienced a difficult childhood with many family issues and found himself experimenting with drugs, eventually struggling with severe addiction.

Jelly was first arrested at the age of 14, and spent time in and out of juvenile hall for offenses including drug dealing and robbery.

The singer spent nearly 10 years in a vicious cycle of incarceration, before he began his music career in 2003, releasing his first album “The Plain Shmear Tape.”

Jelly has shared how music has not only been there for him in the darkest times, but it has healed him in many ways.

“For some people, music is just “music.” But for people like us, music is magical. Music is medicine. Music can heal people. Music can be there for you in the darkest moments of our lives. I remember times in my life where music was the only friend that I had,” Jelly shared in April.

Jelly Knows What Matters Most

While Jelly Roll continues to fill stadiums and has become an absolute superstar, it is evident the singer knows his true calling in life is to help people.

From his inspirational lyrics to visiting many jails all across the nation prior to his shows, the singer uses his platform to change countless lives.

In November 2024, Jelly brought a few inmates to sing on stage during his show in Charlottesville, Virginia.

After visiting them at the Chesterfield County Jail, the superstar was blown away by their talent and decided to ask the sheriff if the men could join him at the show.

“One of the most special moments of my career happened last night. Before the show, I had the honor of stopping by a jail in Chesterfield, Virginia where they have a program called Helping Addicts Recover Progressively (HARP). I’ve had the pleasure of getting to visit and talk to the folks in this program before, but this time something surreal took place. Sheriff Leonard allowed 4 members of the program to not only come to the show, but come on stage and perform the music with me,” Jelly Roll wrote on social media.

Watch inmates sing with Jelly Roll on stage in the heartwarming video below.