BREAKING: Jelly Roll Invests $2 Million From Sold-Out Stadium Show to Build Safe Haven for Homeless Youth in Nashville

Country-rap superstar Jelly Roll is once again proving that his heart is as big as his voice. After a sold-out performance on April 29, 2025, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City—part of his electrifying “Big Ass Stadium Tour”—the singer shocked fans by announcing that every dollar earned from that show, a staggering $2 million, would go toward building something much bigger than a stage.

Jelly Roll is turning his spotlight toward one of the most pressing issues in his hometown of Nashville: youth homelessness. In an emotional press conference following the concert, he revealed plans to transform a property on the east side of Nashville into a fully-equipped shelter and support center for homeless and at-risk youth.

“This isn’t just a donation,” Jelly Roll said, fighting back tears. “This is me reaching back to the kid I used to be — the one sleeping on couches, in cars, with no real sense of home. I made it out. Now it’s my turn to make a way for someone else.”

The new facility will offer more than just a bed and a meal. It’s designed to be a lifeline — featuring on-site counselors, educational programs, mental health resources, addiction support, and career development tools. Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, says the center will prioritize not just survival but long-term healing and opportunity.

In a music industry often focused on platinum records and endorsement deals, Jelly Roll’s gesture cuts through the noise. And fans are noticing.

Social media erupted within minutes of the announcement, with hashtags like #JellyRollCares and #FromConcertToHome trending across platforms. One viral comment summed it up best: “That wasn’t just a concert. That was the most meaningful performance of his career — because it’s going to save lives.”

For those who’ve followed Jelly Roll’s journey, this latest move feels both surprising and inevitable. Born and raised in Antioch, Tennessee, Jelly Roll has never shied away from his difficult past — from poverty and incarceration to addiction and heartbreak. But instead of running from his story, he has built his entire brand around embracing it, growing from it, and giving back.

“I was one of those kids people gave up on,” he shared. “And I promised God that if I ever got the chance, I’d be the person I needed back then.”

That promise has now taken physical form in this shelter, set to break ground this summer with an opening projected for early 2026. In a moving gesture, Jelly Roll also revealed that the building will be named “The Willow Home,” in honor of a teenage fan who died last year after battling homelessness and depression. Her mother attended the press event and embraced Jelly Roll with tears in her eyes, calling the project “a resurrection of hope.”

Other artists have expressed admiration for Jelly Roll’s bold philanthropy, with fellow country stars like Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson sharing his announcement and offering support. Even Dolly Parton reposted the news with a message: “Now THAT’S what stardom looks like.”

As the music world applauds, Jelly Roll is already looking ahead. He’s reportedly working with city officials and private donors to expand the model across the country. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “We’re going to take this love nationwide.”

In an era where good deeds are often filtered through PR teams and sponsorship deals, Jelly Roll’s $2 million gift isn’t just generous — it’s genuine. And in doing so, he’s not just giving kids a place to sleep. He’s giving them what he never had: a second chance.