It’s a cold November morning in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, when Jelly Roll and I are finally able to connect for our interview. Just a few days prior, the rapper-singer was the toast of Nashville on the red carpet of the Country Music Awards, and before the afterglow dimmed he was back on the road, heading to the next show.
There is a hint of road weariness in his voice when he picks up the call, but after a quick cough it fades away. “We’re just out here putting boots to butts!” he bellows gregariously.
Jelly Roll’s presence is palpable even over the phone, and once you get him talking about music and the rocket-like trajectory of his career, you begin to share his zeal. He is grateful for the opportunity to be on tour, even when it results in a travel day from hell.
“I had two flights canceled on me at the last minute,” he says. “It was one of those perfect ‘story of my life’ moments where everything just went to shit. Then, the Hail Mary lob pass, and there’s a fucking jet sitting on the runway fully fueled up and ready to roll.
