Canadian rapper Jelly Roll joined HARDY on The Fire to delve into the origins of hip-hop and its impact on social issues such as incarceration and justice. The conversation highlighted the significant influence of Eminem and James Taylor on their respective genres, underscoring the role of storytelling in music.
Jelly Roll reflected on his early experiences with music while incarcerated, sharing how tracks like “A Great Day to Be Alive” provided brief moments of escape and connection. He emphasized the profound effect of radio on his life during those times, noting how eagerly he awaited new releases to share with friends.
The rapper also explored his musical inspirations, revealing his deep admiration for the underground hip-hop scene of the late ’90s. He recounted his early attempts to emulate artists like Pimp C and his surprise at discovering his own vocal talent later in life.
In addition, Jelly Roll spoke about his collaboration with Eminem, describing the excitement of having one of his songs remixed by the iconic rapper. He also shared a personal anecdote about James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain,” a song that profoundly affected him during his teenage years and contributed to his development as a songwriter.
Listeners can hear the full episode of The Fire with HARDY on demand with an Apple Music subscription at apple.co/_TheFire.
