Tennessee Governor Pardons Jelly Roll

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pardoned Jelly Roll for his criminal past in the state Thursday.

He acknowledged the star’s dedication to righting his wrongs after serving jail time for drug-related charges, noting that Jelly Roll has stepped up to educate others, inspires change through music, and worked hard to change his path. Lee issued his pardon after friends and civic leaders supporting Jelly Roll rallied for a fresh start for the singer, according to The Associated Press.

The Tennessee Board of Parole held a nearly two-hour hearing in April to decide whether or not the artist’s decades-old drug and robbery offenses could be formally excused, according to AP.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Jelly Roll attends Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 at Barker Hangar on July 13, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)

Jelly Roll has been forthcoming about his jaded past and has addressed audiences with messages of redemption and change. He sought a pardon not only to clean up his troubled past, but also to be able to tour freely across the globe after having been restricted previously due to his criminal record.

Lee pardoned a total of 33 people Thursday, and is known to issue clemency decisions during the holiday season, according to AP. Lee noted that Jelly Roll’s request for pardon underwent the same grueling review as the other applicants. The state parole board gave a unanimous recommendation for Jelly Roll’s pardon.

“His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for,” Lee told reporters, according to AP.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Jelly Roll attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Jelly Roll addressed the parole board and said he threw himself into songwriting while in custody. He has used his platform to attend the U.S. Senate, where he testified about the dangers of fentanyl, humbly noting, “I was a part of the problem.” Jelly Roll has sought to assist at-risk-youth over the course of career in music, and has achieved a series of accolades in the industry.

“I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution,” he told lawmakers at the time. (RELATED: ‘I Was An Actual Criminal’: Jelly Roll Reams Louis Vuitton Store For Allegedly Profiling Him)

Jelly Roll’s convictions include a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23. In 2008, police found marijuana and crack cocaine in his car.

Lee’s office asserted that those with homicide or a sex-related convictions, or crimes committed as an adult against a minor were not issued pardons.