Jason DeFord grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, in the southside community of Antioch.
Jelly Roll's 2010 collaboration "Pop Another Pill" with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte reached over 6.3 millions YouTube views. This song led to the album Year Round by the hip-hop group SNO, released on the Hypnotize Minds label in April 2011 and produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J. SNO's song "Come Here White Girl" was named among "The 10 Most Memorable White Rapper Collaborations" by XXL.
Jelly Roll released many mixtapes including the Gamblin' on a Whiteboy series and the Therapeutic Music series. His independently released debut solo studio album The Big Sal Story was released on October 26, 2012. He released two collaborative albums with Haystak, two collaborative albums with Lil Wyte, four collaborative albums with Struggle Jennings and one album under the group SNO with Lil Wyte and BPZ.
Jelly Roll's 2013 mixtape Whiskey, Weed, & Women was originally named Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House, but was later changed after the restaurant threatened legal action over the use of their name and logo on the cover. The replacement cover featured a "cease and desist" stamp in place of the Waffle House logo.
Smoking Section
Jelly Roll Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he told me not to get so distracted fighting the alligators
That I forget to clean the swamp
And it took me a second to think about what he was really sayin'
But he was sayin'
"Don't let my problems distract me so much dealin' with them, I forget my mission"
Hey baby brother, how ya doin'
The last time I seen ya, you ain't seem so focused
Can't believe I ain't noticed, I can't believe I missed it
Life been crazy man, fast life livin'
While Struggle's sittin' in prison, I'm sittin' and trippin'
And I'm sittin' here wishin' that you were sittin' here with me
But you're not, I'm all alone
Tryin' to write this song
Sippin' on some bourbon and blowin' a little strong
This is therapeutic music so I'm takin' my time
Figured while I had a second, I would drop you a line
Me and Will are doing well man, don't worry 'bout us
I bet yo ass up there chillin' probably rollin' it up
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Hey Momma V, it's been a minute since I mentioned your name
And every hardship is a blessing and this is the same
It's been 16 years, it doesn't lessen the pain
'Cause your death was a first hand lesson on age
I'm just riding through my own neighborhood reminiscing
The life that I was livin', man was I trippin'
I grew up around sinners all after tryin' to win
People livin' to die, but they was dyin' to live
Think about you every now and then I ride by the crib
Call it the crib, but my mother hasn't lived there in years
Meanwhile, my cousin came home from doing a bid
Gave the man an iPhone and he didn't know what it is
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
We ain't smoked in a while, I'm sorry the change did it
That and the fact you got strung out on painkillers
The money and fame did it, you tried and you can't quit it
To think it's a shame that your name's in the same sentence
As a junkie, a flunkie, your back is the monkey
You used to have it all, the hoes and the money
Had a dream that you killed yo'self
Woke up reachin' for my phone like you needed my help
But I'm so focused on myself and my daughter doing well
You're a grown man, I have to hope you're going through a spell
But I'm prayin' for you, and I know that you're feelin' the pain
But you're an addict, you won't change 'til you're ready to change
And I hope you think about your family and get it right
And just know that I'ma pray for you before I sleep tonight
And me and money talk, I'd like to share this thought
While you fightin' alligators, don't forget to clean the swamp
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
The lyrics of Jelly Roll's song "Smoking Section" delve into the rapper's personal struggles and relationships with family and friends while simultaneously providing commentary on the dangers of addiction and the importance of staying focused on one's goals. The song opens with Jelly Roll recounting a conversation with someone he respects who advised him not to become so consumed with fighting problems and distractions that he loses sight of his ultimate purpose. The artist then address his younger brother, acknowledging that he has been preoccupied with his own problems and hasn't been there for him in the way he should have been. Jelly Roll also alludes to the difficulties of fame and the negative impact it can have on one's life and relationships, telling the story of a friend who became addicted to painkillers because of the pressures and temptations of success. The chorus, "I hope that Heaven has a smoking section," acts as an extended metaphor for the spaces and moments in life where people can come together to unwind and escape the difficulties of day-to-day life.
Line by Line Meaning
I was talkin' to a guy that I respect dearly the other day
I spoke to someone I have a lot of respect for recently
And he told me not to get so distracted fighting the alligators
He advised me not to become too sidetracked dealing with my problems
That I forget to clean the swamp
And not to forget my main objectives in the process
And it took me a second to think about what he was really sayin'
It took me a moment to fully understand what he meant
But he was sayin'
Basically, what he was trying to say was...
Don't let my problems distract me so much dealin' with them, I forget my mission
Not to allow my difficulties to consume me to the point that I forget my ultimate goal
Hey baby brother, how ya doin'
Addressing his younger brother affectionately
The streets still holdin'
Asking how things are on the street
The last time I seen ya, you ain't seem so focused
Stating last time I saw you was not too positive
Can't believe I ain't noticed, I can't believe I missed it
Regretting that he hasn't paid more attention to his brother's well-being
Life been crazy man, fast life livin'
Acknowledging how chaotic life can be
While Struggle's sittin' in prison, I'm sittin' and trippin'
Reflecting on his friend Struggle's imprisonment and his own worries
And I'm sittin' here wishin' that you were sittin' here with me
Wishing his brother was with him
But you're not, I'm all alone
Realizing that he is alone
Tryin' to write this song
Attempting to write music
Sippin' on some bourbon and blowin' a little strong
Drinking bourbon and smoking marijuana
This is therapeutic music so I'm takin' my time
Taking time to create a healing piece of music
Figured while I had a second, I would drop you a line
Deciding to write to his brother while he has some time
Me and Will are doing well man, don't worry 'bout us
Updating his brother on his own situation and asking him not to worry
I bet yo ass up there chillin' probably rollin' it up
Joking that his deceased mother is likely relaxing and smoking
Hey Momma V, it's been a minute since I mentioned your name
Addressing his late mother after a long time
And every hardship is a blessing and this is the same
Believing that every difficulty is a blessing in disguise
It's been 16 years, it doesn't lessen the pain
Reflecting on the fact that despite significant time passing, his mother's death still affects him greatly
'Cause your death was a first hand lesson on age
Seeing his mother's death as a firsthand reminder of mortality
I'm just riding through my own neighborhood reminiscing
Driving through his hometown and remembering the past
The life that I was livin', man was I trippin'
Reflecting on what his life was like before
I grew up around sinners all after tryin' to win
Being surrounded by people who were trying to come out on top
People livin' to die, but they was dyin' to live
Living recklessly in a harsh environment
Think about you every now and then I ride by the crib
Thinking of his late mother when he drives past their former home
Call it the crib, but my mother hasn't lived there in years
Referring to the house as 'the crib', but acknowledging that it has been uninhabited for some time
Meanwhile, my cousin came home from doing a bid
Noticing that his cousin has returned from prison
Gave the man an iPhone and he didn't know what it is
Observing how much the world has changed while his cousin was incarcerated
We ain't smoked in a while, I'm sorry the change did it
Apologizing for the fact that they haven't smoked together recently
That and the fact you got strung out on painkillers
Acknowledging his brother's addiction to painkillers
The money and fame did it, you tried and you can't quit it
Suggesting that his brother's addiction may have come about due to their newfound wealth and status
To think it's a shame that your name's in the same sentence
Feeling ashamed that his brother's name has become associated with addiction
As a junkie, a flunkie, your back is the monkey
Describing how addiction has become a burden for his brother
You used to have it all, the hoes and the money
Recalling how his brother used to have everything he wanted, including material possessions and romantic attention
Had a dream that you killed yo'self
Having a nightmare about his brother's struggle with addiction
Woke up reachin' for my phone like you needed my help
Feeling a strong urge to help his brother upon waking up
But I'm so focused on myself and my daughter doing well
Refocusing on his own life and goals
You're a grown man, I have to hope you're going through a spell
Recognizing that his brother is an adult and hoping that this is just a phase he can overcome
But I'm prayin' for you, and I know that you're feelin' the pain
Praying for his brother and acknowledging his suffering
But you're an addict, you won't change 'til you're ready to change
Recognizing that addiction is a difficult cycle to break
And I hope you think about your family and get it right
Encouraging his brother to think about their family and make the right choices
And just know that I'ma pray for you before I sleep tonight
Promising to pray for his brother's well-being
And me and money talk, I'd like to share this thought
Continuing with a separate thought that he would like to share
While you fightin' alligators, don't forget to clean the swamp
Advising his brother to focus on his main objectives while dealing with his problems
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Expressing his hope that there is a place to smoke in the afterlife
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Repeating his hope for a smoking section in Heaven
When it's said and done and we're all gone
Referring to the inevitable end of life
I hope they got a place that we can blow
Expressing his desire for a place to smoke
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Repeating his earlier sentiment
Contributed by Ian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danahadley436
Tomorrow will be 1yr that my son passed away. Heroin and fentynal is such a horrible addiction 😢
Seeing your child in the hospital fighting for his life is heart-renching
He had allot of alligators he was fighting.
U took a picture with my youngest son yesterday while he was working at Walmart
❤❤❤
U absolutely made his day
Ur music has really helped me this year
I am too cleaning out my swamp
U are an inspiration ❤
@JellyRoll
Thank YALL So Much for Sharing this --- and for sharing my vision and my take on music --- your changing my life - I pray in some way in return I can touch yours
@davidhunnel9400
+Jelly Roll your Music i can put on and vibe to no one is bring it like you your music got heart like you said this rap shite is easy all you got do is tell the truth
@lanceisbell7229
You have touched our life just by your music.. Keep it up man..
@paigeesmalley9500
amazing
@itsjonesonthabeat
+Jelly Roll Love your music Jelly and you never disappoint or let down, keep it up I love having a musician who I can relate to
@vDaddyBane
Anytime brother man your music has helped me through a lot as a kid I've seen and been through a lot and your music makes it all worth it and makes me stronger
@siicema1082
7 years later, I'm STILL tearing up. This song means so much. YOU changed MY life, Jelly!
@ZNP420
Amen! 🙏🏼
@SoilToSoul
❤🙏🏻
@gamesvibronicbrush8228
idk if you are a user but if you are this song will help i hope you dont use or stuff like that but this song is great seen his concert two days ago he said this in the song but i do belive theres one lol