When “Wild Ones” erupted across radio and TikTok in late 2023, a curious side-effect followed the hit: thousands of fans began asking if the two powerful voices behind it, Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph were brother and sister
The blend of their tones, their natural on-stage chemistry, and a few tongue-in-cheek social clips fanned the rumor mill. So, what’s the truth?
In this deep dive, we’ll unpack their family backgrounds, trace each artist’s path into music, explain how their collaboration came together, and address the most common fan questions backed by reliable, up-to-date sources.
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Table of Contents
Are Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph Siblings?
No, Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph are not siblings, cousins, or otherwise related.
The “siblings” rumor grew from their easy rapport in interviews, playful social content, and the striking contrast of their voices on a duet that felt familial in its warmth.
Pop-culture outlets have explicitly addressed the rumor and confirmed they’re not related, they’re collaborators who genuinely enjoy working together.1
How the Collaboration Happened
In 2023, Jessie Murph invited Jelly Roll into her sonic universe with “Wild Ones.” The track pairs Murph’s smoky, emotionally loaded delivery with Jelly Roll’s gravel-rich, redemptive baritone, bridging country, pop and hip-hop sensibilities.
The duo amplified the single with a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (late October/early November 2023) and subsequent high-profile holiday programming.
These appearances helped solidify a narrative of two Southern artists from different generations feeding off each other’s energy. 2
Quick Stats Table
| Category | Jelly Roll | Jessie Murph |
|---|---|---|
| Birth name | Jason Bradley DeFord | Jessie Murph (professional/stage name) |
| Date of birth | December 4, 1984 | September 22, 2004 |
| Birthplace / Origin | Antioch (Nashville), Tennessee, U.S. | Born in Tennessee; raised in Alabama (Huntsville area) |
| Primary genres | Country, country rock, Southern hip-hop | Pop, country, trap/hip-hop |
| Breakthrough era | “Son of a Sinner” (2022), “Need a Favor” (2023) | Viral on TikTok/YouTube (2021), “Always Been You,” “Pray,” “Heartbroken” |
| Known collaboration | “Wild Ones” (2023) radio smash, TV performances | “Wild Ones” (2023) with Jelly Roll |
| Parents (publicly known) | Donna and Horace “Buddy” DeFord | Parents are musicians (names not widely publicized); has an older brother Garrett Murph (DJ) |
| Marital/children status | Married to Bunnie Xo (Alyssa), two children from previous relationships | Unmarried (publicly), close with family (often references mom/brother) |
| Are they related? | No | No |
Jelly Roll’s Family Background
Birth name: Jason Bradley DeFord
Born: December 4, 1984
From: Antioch (a neighborhood in Nashville), Tennessee
Jelly Roll often frames his story as a tale of second chances. He’s spoken publicly about brushes with the law, addiction, redemption, and how family and faith reshaped his life.
His parents are Donna and Horace “Buddy” DeFord. Buddy, who worked in the meatpacking industry (among other jobs), died of cancer in March 2019; Jelly frequently honors his father’s memory.
His mother Donna has faced mental-health challenges but has also been a musical influence, introducing him to the songs that would inform his style.3
I can’t believe I’m on the Carter 6. Man life is unreal. Thank you Wayne. I’m literally speechless.
— Jelly Roll (@JellyRoll615) June 7, 2025
Beyond his upbringing, Jelly Roll’s adult family life is well known to fans. He married Bunnie Xo (Alyssa) in 2016.
He has two children, Bailee Ann and Noah Buddy, from previous relationships.
In recent years the couple have been candid about their IVF journey as they hope to grow their family—sharing updates at awards shows and on podcasts.4
Why this matters for the sibling rumor:
None of the public documentation of Jelly Roll’s family tree includes Jessie Murph. His background is deeply rooted in Nashville, and while his career now intersects with younger artists, those connections are professional not familial. 5
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Jessie Murph’s Family Background
Born: September 22, 2004
Birthplace/Origin: Tennessee by birth; raised in Alabama (Huntsville area)
Jessie Murph’s rise mirrors a generation that built careers online. She posted covers and vlogs to YouTube and TikTok, landed a major-label deal, and quickly scaled from intimate venues to large theaters and arenas.
She’s described herself as Tennessee-born and Alabama-raised, a dual identity that shapes her sound and storytelling, country grit meets pop confession, with a hip-hop backbone.
While her parents are musicians, their names aren’t as widely publicized by choice.
Jessie has, however, brought family into the spotlight on occasion: her mother has joined her onstage, and her older brother, Garrett Murph, is a DJ who has toured and appeared with her.
These moments underscore a musically steeped household and a close-knit unit that shows up for each other. 6
Why this matters for the sibling rumor:
Jessie’s family connections are generally limited to her parents and brother, and nothing credible ties her by blood or marriage to Jelly Roll. Their relationship is collaborative two artists who clicked in the studio and on stage rather than familial. 7
“Wild Ones”: Why Their Voices Sound Like Family
Some duets feel like kinship even when the singers aren’t related. “Wild Ones” works because:
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Complementary timbres. Jessie’s smoky, youthful alto slices through melody lines while Jelly Roll’s husky baritone grounds the song. That contrast often reads like sibling harmony think rough/smooth, light/dark without implying any real-world relation.
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Shared Southern roots. Both trace roots through Tennessee, and Jessie carries Alabama in her phrasing. They share the Southern storytelling tradition: clear-eyed about hardship, generous with hope.
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Performance chemistry. Their Kimmel performance and other televised spots showcased a natural back and forth the laugh, the look, the confidence of two people who trust each other musically. Chemistry breeds rumors; here, it just bred a hit.8
Jelly Roll: From Antioch to Awards Stages
Jelly Roll’s career started in the Southern hip-hop underground in the 2000s. Over time he threaded country and rock into his sound, culminating in a breakout country year in 2022–23.
“Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor” vaulted him onto mainstream radio, awards ballots, and late-night TV stages. He went on to win New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards (November 2023) and earn Grammy nominations (2024), rare air for anyone, and especially notable for an artist with such a winding path to success.9
Jelly Roll’s personal narrative recovery, faith, service also broadened his footprint beyond music.
In January 2024 he testified before the U.S. Senate in support of anti-fentanyl legislation, framing addiction and trafficking as issues he’s seen from multiple angles.
Fans often cite this advocacy, plus his willingness to speak about mental health, as reasons the music resonates.
Jessie Murph: Alabama Grit, Internet-Age Momentum
Jessie Murph leveraged TikTok and YouTube to accelerate a career that otherwise might have taken years of club circuits.
She signed with Columbia, dropped several RIAA-certified singles, and in 2023 released Drowning (mixtape/EP) on the way to full-length studio projects.
She has also been explicit that while country is part of her DNA, she won’t be “fully country”, she likes to color outside the lines, folding trap drums, hip-hop cadences, and pop choruses into her songs.
Her 2024–25 slate includes collaborations with marquee names across genres and bold, sometimes polarizing songwriting that sparked think-pieces and critical attention.
The through-line is emotional candor and a willingness to be messy in public traits that earn fierce fans and fierce debates in equal measure.10
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FAQ’s
1) Are Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph siblings?
No. They are not related. They’re collaborators who recorded and performed “Wild Ones” together.11
2) How did Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph meet?
They crossed paths through Nashville’s songwriting/recording circles and teamed up for “Wild Ones” in 2023.
The exact first meeting isn’t exhaustively documented, but their TV performances (e.g., Jimmy Kimmel Live! in late 2023) cemented the partnership in fans’ minds.
3) What are Jelly Roll’s parents’ names?
Donna and Horace “Buddy” DeFord. Buddy died in 2019. Jelly Roll has spoken about both parents’ impact on his life and music.12
4) What do we know about Jessie Murph’s family?
Her parents are musicians, and she sometimes brings her mother onstage. Her older brother, Garrett Murph, is a DJ who has appeared with her. Their names are not as widely publicized as Jelly Roll’s parents, reflecting a more private family profile. 13
5) Where are they from?
Jelly Roll is from Antioch (Nashville), Tennessee. Jessie Murph was born in Tennessee and raised in Alabama (Huntsville area).
Final Word
The idea that Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph are siblings makes for a fun internet myth, but it’s just that a myth.
What’s real is more interesting: a cross-generational Nashville-meets-Alabama creative partnership that turned a studio session into a cultural moment.
Their family stories are distinct, their paths unique and when they meet on a track, the result can feel like family even when it isn’t.
If you love “Wild Ones,” you love the sound of two artists finding common ground, not a family reunion. And that’s more than enough reason to keep the song on repeat.
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