Country star Jelly Roll is reflecting on one of the most meaningful projects of his career after releasing the music video for his new song, "Hands Up."
On Friday, the singer-songwriter, whose real name is Jason DeFord, debuted the autobiographical music video on YouTube. The visual was filmed inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco and features Jelly Roll performing alongside incarcerated musicians.
The video opens with the singer arriving at the prison while reciting a prayer in a voiceover before joining a group of inmates holding instruments. He is later seen greeting incarcerated men in the prison canteen, shaking hands and performing with several inmates serving as his backing band.
In a post shared on Instagram, Jelly Roll emphasized that the men featured in the video were "not actors." He later described the experience as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
"Truly one of the most special things I've ever had the opportunity to do," he wrote. "The moment my life truly changed is when I threw my hands up. I know a lot of folks will hear this and remember their 'hands up' moment as well."
The Grammy-nominated artist, who has spoken publicly about his own past incarceration, said returning to a correctional facility carried deep personal meaning.
"I remember being in the same kind of place all these incarcerated guys are in," he continued. "To get to do this with them is beyond words for me."
The music video arrives amid Jelly Roll's divorce from podcast host Bunnie Xo. The singer filed for divorce in May after 10 years of marriage.
