After catching heat over his Grammy’s speech, praising the Lord, self-dubbed “disconnected and dumb redneck” Jelly Roll, 41, is facing more criticism after continuing to decline commenting on U.S. politics and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
RELATED: Sabrina Carpenter Slams White House Using Her Music In ‘Evil’ ICE Video
At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 1), Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, won his first set of Grammys. His first win, for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance,” came from his feature on Country artist Shaboozey’s “Amen.”
Jelly Roll then won two more for “Best Contemporary Country Album” for ‘Beautifully Broken,’ (the first-ever winner in the newly-introduced category) and “Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song” feasting on Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
During his speech for his album win, Jelly Roll praised the Lord and declined to comment on ICE. He said:
“I know they’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out. First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I’m listening. Lord, I am listening, Lord. Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife [Bunnie XO]. I would’ve never changed my life without you. I’d ended up dead or in jail. I’d have k*lled myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus, I thank you for that. I thank you for my label, Broken Bow! Country Radio, baby! What’s up, dog? Oh, Republic John McNeely. We did it, baby. There was a time in my life, y’all, that I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There was days that I thought the darkest things, I was a horrible human. There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size of a 6×8-foot cell. And I believed that those two things could change my life. I believed that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life. And I want to tell y’all right now, Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus and anybody can have a relationship with him. I love you, Lord!”
Jelly Roll’s speech left many social media users wondering why he, unlike several other winners of the evening, failed to mention ICE and the attack on immigrants in America. We heard criticisms from Kehlani, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, SZA, Shaboozey, and more.
When directly asked about his failure to speak up following his Grammy win, Jelly Roll blamed his background for his lack of knowledge on politics. He said:
“So, this is the truth, and I’m glad somebody asked because I love talking about this stuff, and people care to hear my opinion, but, so, I can tell you that people shouldn’t care to hear my opinion. You know, I’m a dumb redneck. Like, I haven’t watched enough—I didn’t have a phone for 18 months. I’ve hand one for four months and don’t have social media. I hate to be the artist that’s static [and] aloof, but I’m so disconnected from what’s happening. I grew up in a house of, like, insane pandemonium. Like, I didn’t even know politics were f**king real until I was in my mid-20s in jail. Like, that’s how disconnected [I am]. When you grew up in a drug-addict household. You think we, like, had common calls about what’s happening in world politics? Like, we’re just trying to find a way to survive, man, you know? I have a lot to say about it and I’m going to within the next week, and everybody’s going to hear exactly what I have to say about it in the most loud and clear way I’ve ever spoke in my life. So, I look forward to it. Thank you, for bringing it up.”
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!