Dwayne Johnson Praises Jelly Roll’s New Album

Jelly Roll has one big fan that shared his love for the Nashville native with his 383 million Instagram followers: Dwyane Johnson. The Rock posted a cover shot of Jelly's new album Whitsitt Chapel telling fans to download the project.

Johnson posted, "I'm so I'm proud of my brother @jellyroll615 for the latest achievement of his phenomenal new album WHITSITT CHAPEL. My guy is blowing up the industry and moving the crowds. He's a real authentic artist who brings PASSION & MANA to his music - and he brings a joy and gratitude that can only come from experience and living the life."

He continued, "Many years ago before he blew up, his music helped me get through a rough patch in my life. I'll never forget it. Grateful. Proud of you, my brother - keep doing it big and keep lifting the people up. We'll get our asses down to Music Row and pop that @teremana baby ."

He concluded, "Everybody download this album!!! Listen to it, and you'll understand why. We've all been there…#JellyRoll #WhitsittChapel #615."

See that post here.

Jelly Roll's new album Whitsitt Chapel was released on June 2. The album is titled after the church Jelly attended in his native Antioch, Tennessee ( a suburb of Nashville). His debut full-length country project, the new work features 13 tracks.

Jelly Roll said in a statement when he announced the album, "This album is about growth and gratitude happening in my life. I wanted to create a project that felt hopeful. I believe the worst feeling a person can have is feeling hopeless or worthless. This is therapeutic music. Real music for real people with real problems."

Jelly Roll's ABC documentary "Save Me" premiered on Hulu on May 30. Jelly partly said in the teaser, "I feel I owe it to my people to give them hope." Jelly also talked about going to jail as a teenager and addiction and mental health problems in the new documentary. He noted in the trailer, "I came out of jail with a plan; I was going to put every ounce of energy into music."

Jelly Roll won three awards at this year's (4/2) CMT Music Awards. The one-time rapper recently scored his first country music chart-topper "Son of A Sinner." Born and raised in Antoich (right outside of Nashville), Jelly Roll has won the hearts of his fellow country stars and the heart of country music fans worldwide.

He made his first on the CMT Music Awards performance, joined by a full gospel choir, with his song "Need A Favor." That was followed by an enthusiastic standing ovation by the whole house.

Jelly Roll's awards came before his new album, Whitsitt Chapel, was released on June 2. Titled after the church the Antioch native grew up attending, the debut full-length Country project on BMG/Stoney Creek Records features 13 tracks.

Before his current time in country music, Jelly was known as a Southern Hip Hop artist. Beginning in 2010, he collaborated with Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Yelawolf, Tech N9ne, and Ryan Upchurch. His 2010 collaboration "Pop Another Pill" with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte reached over 6.3 million YouTube views and started his career.

A record label executive in Nashville told me they were looking for the Post Malone of country music and found that in Jelly. His real name is Jason DeFord, and his Jelly Roll nickname comes from his mother, who called him Jelly Roll when he was a young, as he said, a "chubby" kid.

As Jelly's star continues to rise, we take a look at his last few years in the national spotlight.