Though he just released his album Whitsitt Chapel in June, Jelly Roll fans won’t have to wait much longer for new music from the star. During a new interview with The New York Times‘ Popcast, Jelly Roll revealed that he plans to release music in 2024 “like a hip-hop guy,” which is to say at a more rapid pace.
“This was my philosophy coming into the music game because of all the inspirations I had. I wanted to put music out like a hip hop guy, and I’ll do that in ‘24. I’ll put out a lot of music,” the hitmaker, whose real name is Jason DeFord, shared.
Why Didn’t Jelly Roll Release A Lot Of Music In 2023?
Jelly Roll explained that he didn’t lean into that philosophy in 2023 because he “wanted to focus on a piece of art that meant something.” That piece of art was Whitsitt Chapel, which contains his recent hit duet with Lainey Wilson, “Save Me,” which was nominated for the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Jelly Roll is also nominated for Best New Artist at the upcoming show.
“I want to release music like a hip hop artist,” Jelly Roll continued of his musical philosophy. “I want to write songs like a country music songwriter. Nobody writes more songs than a dude in town that’s just getting paid to write. You know what I mean? And I want to tour like a rock and roll act.”
What Will The “Halfway To Hell” Singer’s New Album Sound Like?
As for how that next album will sound, Jelly Roll shared that his music will always serve as a reflection of what he’s going through and what he sees around him.
“I think that it’ll always be a mix of where I’m at and what I still see, because what hasn’t changed this year is that Davidson County had the second-highest overdoses in America. That’s my city. That’s Nashville. In America. The second of all metropolises.” He continued, “I’m still deeply plagued and affected by the epidemic of drugs, so I’m never letting what’s happening with the blessing of this thing working for me take me away from who I know I’m actually speaking to and for.”
Jelly Roll shared that “a lot” of the songs on his next album will “still touch that,” as well as “a lot of my own dark demons. “Because as jovial as I am in real life, the music is a reflection of, there’s a very, very dark hallway between my ears,” he said. “It’s the scariest place on earth for me. I dread going to sleep every night. The ghosts are there.”
Jelly Roll’s Wife, Bunnie XO, Inspired Several Songs On His Forthcoming New Album
Despite his internal struggles, Jelly Roll’s happy marriage to wife Bunnie XO (Bunnie DeFord) has also inspired a few songs on his next project.
“But equally, I’m going into my eighth year of marriage, and I’ve never been more in love, so I got a couple love songs on the new album that I think are really true to who I am,” he revealed. “Plus, I just want a big wedding song. I’ve had so many funeral songs. My music has always been so driven in that. The other side of that, I want to showcase that a little bit because there are highs in life too, and I want to figure out a way to incorporate them in the music, but ultimately, you know what I write about. You know who I write for.”
What Plans Does The Father Of Two Have For 2024?
Jelly Roll will wrap up 2023 and kick off 2024 with a performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. His performance will be introduced by his wife, Bunnie XO. The show will air live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. ET on December 31 and conclude on January 1 in the early morning hours.
Additionally, the chart-topping singer/songwriter recently earned his third No. 1 hit at Country radio with “Save Me (feat. Lainey Wilson)” and is gearing up to send his new single, “Halfway To Hell,” to Country radio in 2024. He will kick off 2024 with the high profile TV performance on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Jelly Roll also goes into the New Year with his first-ever GRAMMY nominations.
Jelly Roll wrapped up his completely sold-out, headlining Backroad Baptism Tour this year and while he doesn’t currently have a 2024 tour, he will perform at various festivals throughout the year including Crash My Playa, Stagecoach, Country Jam, Tailgate N’ Tallboys Iowa, and plenty more.
For more on Jelly Roll, visit his official website HERE.
