Jelly Roll has always been very transparent about his past. Frequently the country star has openly discussed his incarceration, addiction, and previous life of crime. However, something he doesn’t mention on a regular basis is his previous musical vocation. That said, did you know Jelly Roll used to be a rapper?
Videos by American Songwriter
Yes, before Roll became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and country music’s most loveable and damaged act, Roll flooded the streets of Antioch, Tennessee with his rap music. Even though he sang a different genre, Roll has always gone by the same name. Although, his style and appearance were drastically different during his rap career. With all in that mind, we’re here to give you a brief preview of Roll’s temporary rap career.
“O.N.E Welcome To The Trap House”
Released on Jelly Roll’s YouTube channel in 2010, Roll’s rap single will have current fans shell-shocked. Both musically and aesthetically, Roll is a completely different version of himself. First off, Roll lacks the face tattoos he currently scores today and also delves into an aggressive hip-hop style that highly juxtaposes his country music sound.
Regardless of this juxtaposition, “O.N.E Welcome To The Trap House” is one of Jelly Roll’s more notable rap singles. The song is pretty good, and if you’re into rap, give it a listen. Though, if you have some purified image of Roll in your head, then this might not be for you.
“10 Minute Freestyle”
Aggressive, vulgar, and clever are three adjectives one can use after listening to Jelly Roll’s 10-minute freestyle. Posted in 2016, the video not only displays Roll’s rap talent but also highlights his lyrical capabilities. Despite what your views are on rap music, freestyling is no easy feat. Especially when you do it for 10 minutes straight.
What the video also illuminates is Jelly Roll’s unwavering passion for music in general. Frankly, this very well might be Jelly Roll’s most arduous performance, as the man is constantly trying to catch his breath after spitting out verse after verse.
“Guess Who’s Back”[The Big Sal Story]
In this rap ballad released in 2013, Jelly Roll raps about the city that made him and pays homage to Nashville. The music video for “Guess Who’s Back” shows a young and spry Roll alongside his friends in an undisclosed neighborhood in Nashville. Though, it is very possible it could be Antioch, Tennessee.
In short, all of the songs on this list are a blast to the past and show Jelly Roll in a rather unfamiliar light. The songs are candid and unfiltered and show who Roll was in some of his formative years as a musician. Frankly, if it wasn’t for these songs, Jelly Roll probably wouldn’t have become one of country music’s biggest names.
Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for Jelly Roll
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