Jelly Roll, the tattooed titan of country-rap whose gritty anthems like “Son of a Sinner” and “Save Me” have topped charts and touched souls, is a force on stage—raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. But strip away the spotlight, the screaming crowds, and the sold-out arenas, and you’ll find a man whose toughest role isn’t performing for thousands; it’s being “Dad” to his two children, Bailee Ann and Noah Buddy. At home, away from the glare of fame, Jelly Roll (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) transforms into a soft-spoken father whose love for his kids is as profound as his lyrics are poignant. From late-night guitar serenades that lull them to sleep to heartfelt car rides filled with life lessons and laughter, the bond he shares with Bailee, 17, and Noah, 9, is built on second chances, fierce protection, and an unbreakable family unit. In a world where his music often delves into pain, addiction, and redemption, it’s the joy of fatherhood that keeps this chart-topper grounded. As Jelly Roll continues to dominate the music scene—fresh off his 2024 Grammy win for Best New Artist and with his “Beautifully Broken” tour packing venues—this is the tender, rarely seen side of the star that proves his most powerful performance happens off-stage.

Jelly Roll’s rise to stardom is a rags-to-riches tale that’s as inspiring as it is tumultuous. Born on December 4, 1984, in Antioch, Tennessee, Jason DeFord grew up in a rough neighborhood plagued by poverty and crime. His early life was marked by run-ins with the law; by age 14, he was arrested for the first time, and his teens were spent cycling in and out of juvenile detention. Music became his escape, but it wasn’t until his 20s that he began to channel his experiences into rap-infused country tracks. However, fatherhood arrived unexpectedly and changed everything. In 2008, while serving time in prison for aggravated robbery and drug possession, Jelly Roll received life-altering news: He was a father. His daughter, Bailee Ann DeFord, was born on May 22, 2008, to his then-girlfriend Felicia Beckwith. “I was in a jail cell, and a guard told me I had a daughter,” Jelly Roll recalled in a 2023 interview with People magazine. “That moment hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew I had to change.”

The shame of missing Bailee’s birth fueled his determination to turn his life around. Upon his release in 2009, Jelly Roll fought for custody, but the road was rocky. Felicia struggled with addiction, leading to a custody battle that Jelly Roll and his now-wife, Bunnie XO (real name Alyssa DeFord), eventually won in 2016. Bailee moved in with them full-time, and Jelly Roll has often credited her as his “saving grace.” “Bailee saved my life,” he told NBC Insider in a 2024 profile. “She gave me a reason to fight when I had nothing left.” Today, Bailee is a vibrant teenager, often seen accompanying her dad to events like the 2024 Kids’ Choice Awards, where she and her brother Noah joined him on the red carpet. At 17, Bailee has inherited her father’s musical talent; she’s dabbled in singing and even featured on his tracks, like the emotional “Tears Could Talk” from his 2020 album Self Medicated. Their bond is evident in social media snippets—Jelly Roll posting proud dad moments, like Bailee’s first prom in 2024, where he teared up sending her off in a stunning gown. “My baby girl is growing up too fast,” he captioned an Instagram photo, his voice cracking in the accompanying video.

Bailee’s early years were far from easy. Jelly Roll has been open about the custody struggles, revealing in a 2023 podcast with Joe Rogan that Felicia’s issues led to Bailee witnessing things no child should. “She saw her mom at her lowest,” he said. “But now, she’s thriving.” Bunnie XO, whom Jelly Roll married in 2016 after meeting her at a Las Vegas show, stepped in as a stepmother with open arms. Bunnie, a podcaster and social media influencer, has been instrumental in providing stability. “Bunnie is the mom Bailee always needed,” Jelly Roll gushed in a 2024 interview with Taste of Country. The trio’s dynamic is playful yet profound—family vacations to Disney World, where Bailee and Jelly Roll ride rollercoasters, or quiet evenings where he teaches her guitar chords. One particularly moving story Jelly Roll shared on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 was of Bailee’s bedtime routines as a child: “I’d sing her to sleep with my guitar, making up songs about her day. Those moments kept me sober, kept me fighting.”

While Bailee’s story is one of triumph over adversity, Jelly Roll’s relationship with his son, Noah Buddy DeFord, adds another layer of tenderness to his fatherhood narrative. Noah was born on August 23, 2016, to Jelly Roll and his ex-partner Melisa Cowell. Unlike Bailee, Noah splits time between his parents, with Jelly Roll sharing custody. This arrangement has made Jelly Roll fiercely protective of Noah’s privacy. “I don’t post much about Noah because I want him to have a normal childhood,” he explained in a 2024 interview with Grunge. “He’s my little buddy, and I shield him from the spotlight.” At 9 years old, Noah is the spitting image of his dad, with a mischievous grin and a love for music. Jelly Roll has shared rare glimpses, like a 2024 Instagram video of Noah joining him on tour for a “daddy-son day,” where they played video games backstage and shared ice cream.

Noah’s arrival came at a pivotal time in Jelly Roll’s life. By 2016, he was on the cusp of mainstream success, but fatherhood to a son brought new responsibilities. “Noah teaches me patience every day,” Jelly Roll told Country Now in 2023. “He’s got this pure joy that reminds me what’s important.” The family often blends seamlessly, with Bailee embracing her role as big sister. At the 2024 Kids’ Choice Awards, the siblings posed with their dad, Bailee in a trendy outfit and Noah sporting a Jelly Roll T-shirt. “My kids are my world,” Jelly Roll captioned the photo, which garnered millions of likes. Bunnie XO has been equally involved with Noah, often coordinating visits and sharing sweet moments on her podcast, Dumb Blonde. “Noah calls me ‘Bunnie Mom,’” she revealed in a 2024 episode. “We’re a blended family, but love makes it work.”

The car rides Jelly Roll mentions in interviews are legendary in family lore—quiet drives through Nashville where he imparts life lessons. “We talk about everything: school bullies, dreams, my mistakes,” he shared with People in 2024. “I tell them, ‘Don’t repeat Dad’s path—learn from it.’” These moments are where Jelly Roll’s “tender” side shines brightest. Despite his tattooed exterior and hard-knock lyrics, he’s a dad who prioritizes emotional openness. In a 2023 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he teared up recounting a conversation with Bailee about his past addictions: “She said, ‘Dad, I’m proud of you for beating it.’ That hit harder than any award.”

Jelly Roll’s music is deeply intertwined with his role as a father. Songs like “Promise” from his 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel are odes to Bailee and Noah, vowing to be the dad they deserve. “I wrote ‘Promise’ thinking of Bailee’s birth,” he told Rolling Stone in 2024. “It’s my oath to them.” Noah, too, inspires tracks; Jelly Roll has hinted at a future song about his son’s innocent view of the world. This connection extends to live performances—Bailee has joined him on stage for duets, her voice blending with his in emotional harmonies that leave audiences in tears. At a 2024 concert in Nashville, she surprised fans by singing “Save Me” with him, a moment that went viral on TikTok with over 10 million views. “That’s my girl,” Jelly Roll beamed, hugging her amid cheers.

Bunnie XO plays a pivotal role in this family tapestry. Married to Jelly Roll since 2016, Bunnie has embraced stepmotherhood with grace. “I didn’t give birth to them, but they’re mine,” she said on her podcast in 2024. Bunnie, who has her own history of overcoming adversity, including a past in the adult industry, has been open about the challenges of blending families. “We had custody battles, late-night worries, but love won,” she shared. Her influence is evident in the kids’ lives—Bailee credits Bunnie for teaching her self-confidence, while Noah adores her homemade cookies. The couple’s openness about their unconventional family has resonated with fans, especially in the LGBTQ+ and blended family communities, where Jelly Roll is an outspoken ally.

Jelly Roll’s fame hasn’t overshadowed his fatherhood; if anything, it’s amplified his commitment. With a net worth estimated at $4 million in 2025, he could spoil his kids rotten, but he focuses on values. “I don’t want them growing up entitled,” he told Grunge in 2024. Bailee drives a modest car, and Noah does chores for allowance. Yet, he splurges on experiences—like a family trip to Disney World in 2023, where photos show him carrying Noah on his shoulders, tattooed arms wrapped protectively. These glimpses, shared sparingly on Instagram, reveal a man whose “gritty stage presence” melts away at home.

The laughter of his kids truly keeps him grounded. In a 2024 interview with Taste of Country, Jelly Roll recounted a funny moment: “Noah asked why I have so many tattoos. I said, ‘They’re my stories.’ He replied, ‘Dad, you’re like a coloring book!’ We laughed for hours.” Bailee, now a teen navigating high school, turns to her dad for advice on boys and dreams of music. “She’s my mini-me,” he said proudly. These anecdotes paint a picture of a family bonded by resilience—Jelly Roll’s second chance at life mirrored in his second chance at fatherhood.

As Jelly Roll’s star rises—his 2025 album Beautifully Broken debuting at No. 1 on Billboard, and tours selling out worldwide—his role as “Dad” remains his anchor. “Fame is fleeting, but family is forever,” he told NBC Insider. Bailee and Noah aren’t just his children; they’re his muses, his motivation, and his mirror. In a world that sees him as the tattooed troubadour, they see him as the dad who sings bedtime songs and offers unwavering love. This tender side, hidden from the crowds but shared in heartfelt interviews, is Jelly Roll’s most powerful role yet—a testament to the man behind the music, proving that even the toughest exteriors hide the softest hearts.