Jelly Roll Backs Mental Health Support With Action

Country music star Jelly Roll has made a significant announcement with the release of his album "Beautifully Broken," marking his second venture into the country genre following his debut with "Whitsitt Chapel." His transition from hip-hop to country rock has proven to be a rewarding endeavor, as "Whitsitt Chapel" reached #3 on the Billboard 200 charts. The success of his latest album has been equally impressive, with the single "Get By" being selected by ESPN as the anthem for the 2024 College Football Season. Alongside his musical achievements, Jelly Roll is now channeling his resources into charitable efforts, emphasizing the importance of giving back.

Jelly Roll has pledged to donate the net profits from all pre-orders of "Beautifully Broken" to organizations that support individuals facing mental health challenges and addiction. His website highlights four nonprofits that will benefit from this initiative: Wounded Warrior Project, Shatterproof, Folds of Honor, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Each of these organizations has a distinct mission. Shatterproof focuses on reforming the addiction treatment system in the United States, while NAMI offers extensive support for people living with mental illness and their families across all states. Folds of Honor and the Wounded Warrior Project both concentrate on aiding military veterans and their families.

Why does Jelly Roll’s charity work hold such personal significance for him?

Jelly Roll has been open about his own battles with addiction. In an interview with The New York Times, the singer of "Save Me" discussed the themes of his new album, "Beautifully Broken," which explores topics like addiction and overcoming adversity. For instance, the song "Winning Streak" delves into alcoholism. While Jelly Roll admits he hasn’t struggled with alcoholism, he did share that he had a history of drug abuse that led to multiple incarcerations until his mid-20s. “I will have a cocktail every now and then and I'm a known weed smoker, but I got away from the drugs that I knew were going to kill me,” he told The Times.

Jelly Roll has stated that he no longer creates music solely for financial gain, but rather to make a meaningful impact—whether through his songs or his charitable work. This isn’t the first time he has given back. In August 2024, he spent $700 on a child’s lemonade stand, an act that was shared widely on social media by the child’s mother, Wendy Gardunio. She posted on Facebook, “My kid and her cousins wanted to do a lemonade stand. And they had a famous singer come and buy some lemonade. Who would have thought that we would run into Jelly Roll in West Valley.”

Beyond this, Jelly Roll has contributed to his community in various ways. He launched a music studio within a juvenile detention center where he once served time. Speaking to People in 2022, he said, “I just hope to bring hope to that and kind of be a beacon and a light for those kids.” His commitment to using his platform for good continues to inspire others.