After making music for more than a decade, Jelly Roll is finally realizing hard-won success. Last week was without a doubt the biggest in his career. He took home New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. Then, days later, he received his first Grammy nomination.
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One of the things that draws fans to Jelly Roll is he’s an open book. Yesterday, he took to social media to tell everyone just how emotionally charged this week has been. “Man I don’t want to sound like a bitch but I’m still getting emotional over here,” he wrote in a tweet. “Been a wild week man. Thank y’all for all the love—it’s overwhelming—thanks.”
On Friday (November 10) when the Grammy nominations were announced, Jelly Roll spoke to American Songwriter about the week he’s had. “There is no greater honor than to be nominated for a Grammy—and to have it all happen two days after winning CMA New Artist of the Year is unbelievable,” he said. “To be in an all-genre category representing country is beyond an honor. I’ve been crying all morning.”
[RELATED: Exclusive: Jelly Roll on Grammy Nominations: “I’ve Been Crying all Morning”]
To say that the last week has been a rollercoaster for Jelly Roll would be a massive understatement. He has poured his blood, sweat, and tears into his career for years. After several run-ins with the law, the Antioch, Tennessee, native started his career in hip-hop. He became an underground sensation.
Later, he began to transition out of rap. He touched on rock briefly before throwing himself fully into the country music world with his latest album Whitsitt Chapel. Now, his career is moving at break-neck speed as country music receives him with open arms.
[RELATED: Meet Jelly Roll & The War and Treaty, Country Music’s Grammy Nominees for Best New Artist]
In September, he took home four wins at the inaugural fan-voted People’s Choice Country Awards. Last Wednesday (November 8), he won New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, giving him his first CMA win. Two days later (November 10), he learned that he was up for his first Grammy Award.
Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images
