In a moment filled with emotion, pride, and powerful tribute, award-winning artist Jelly Roll officially unveiled his long-anticipated 500-acre dream estate just outside of Nashville — a project years in the making and one deeply rooted in personal history.
But amid the cameras, applause, and awe-struck guests, it wasn’t the lavish home, private lake, or world-class music studio that stole the spotlight — it was three simple, heartfelt words that brought tears to many: “Daddy, I did it.”
A Dream Built on a Promise
Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, has always spoken openly about his humble beginnings, personal battles, and the deep influence his late father had on his journey. His father, a hardworking man who instilled values of perseverance and grit, passed away before seeing the full arc of his son’s transformation from troubled teen to chart-topping artist and national inspiration.
Standing on the front steps of the sprawling estate alongside his wife, Bunnie XO, Jelly Roll paused, looked up at the Tennessee sky, and with a quivering voice, uttered those now-viral words:
“Daddy, I did it.”
For fans and loved ones who know his story — the years of addiction, incarceration, and the uphill battle to redemption — it was a moment of full-circle triumph.
More Than Just a Mansion
The estate itself is nothing short of stunning: a 12-bedroom main house with rustic-modern design, a recording studio that rivals the best in Nashville, a rehabilitation retreat center under construction, and acres of forest, creeks, and open land meant for family, music, and healing.
But for Jelly Roll, it’s not about extravagance.
“This place isn’t about luxury,” he told reporters. “It’s about peace, purpose, and honoring the people who believed in me when no one else did — especially my dad.”
Jelly Roll shared that his father once told him, during one of their last conversations, “One day, you’re gonna get out of this life, son. And when you do, make something beautiful out of it.”
The estate, he says, is the fulfillment of that promise.
A Shared Dream with Bunnie XO
Jelly Roll’s wife, Bunnie XO, played a central role in designing and bringing the estate to life. Known for her podcast Dumb Blonde and her transparent, empowering content, Bunnie worked closely with architects and local contractors to ensure the estate felt like a “safe haven” for creativity and family.
“It’s not just our home,” she said during the event. “It’s our sanctuary. It’s where we’ll write songs, raise kids, host friends, and — hopefully — inspire others who come from struggle.”
The couple also announced plans to open a small nonprofit on the estate grounds to support youth coming out of the juvenile justice system — a cause close to Jelly Roll’s heart given his own past.
Tributes and Tears
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In a private ceremony after the ribbon-cutting, Jelly Roll invited a small group of family and friends to a hilltop on the property where a stone memorial for his father now stands. The memorial reads:
Jelly Roll then sang an acoustic version of his hit “Save Me” — the song he’s said was the turning point in both his career and personal healing.
Guests described the moment as “soul-shaking,” with some in tears, others holding hands quietly, soaking in the weight of what had just unfolded.
The Power of Full-Circle Moments
In a world where fame often distances artists from their roots, Jelly Roll has remained unapologetically grounded. From visiting prisons and addiction centers to honoring his father in front of national cameras, he continues to prove that success isn’t about forgetting where you came from — it’s about bringing it with you.
“I used to dream of having a house like this when I was sleeping on a jail cot,” he said, voice cracking. “And today, I get to stand here with my wife, my people, and say I made it — without selling my soul.”
As the sun set over the rolling Tennessee hills, guests gathered around a bonfire, music softly playing, the air filled with laughter, gratitude, and hope.
And in the sky above — as if watching — was the spirit of a father who once told his son, “You’ve got something in you, boy. Don’t waste it.”
Jelly Roll didn’t.
