Jelly Roll was undoubtedly one of country music’s breakout stars of 2023 — and on Sunday, he capped off the year with a medley performance during ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
The artist performed on the Countdown Stage where he delivered “Halfway to Hell,” “Wild Ones” alongside collaborator Jessie Murph, and “Need a Favor” as confetti fell.
“I’ve been watching this show since I was a kid, and to be standing up here next to Ryan Seacrest on New Year’s Eve in New York City, what a crazy dream come true going into 2024 as a Grammy nominated artist!” Jelly Roll told host Ryan Seacrest, adding he felt blessed.
Jelly Roll’s set preceded a performance from New York by Megan Thee Stallion. Earlier in the night, Sabrina Carpenter performed “Feather” and “Nonsense” backed by male dancers in suits; and Tyla, who delivered “Water.” Several other artists hit the stage broadcasting from Los Angeles, including Nile Rodgers and Chic, Bebe Rexha, Janelle Monáe, Reneé Rapp, and Green Day. NewJeans also delivered “Super Shy” from South Korea.
After winning the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year this year, the Tennessee rapper-turned-country-star earned a nomination in the Best New Artist category at the 2024 Grammys.
“I’m not sure if I should post this or not because I’m so emotional, but the greatest honor an artist can ever hear is that they’ve been nominated for a Grammy,” he said through a face full of tears in a video from November. “I got to hear that this morning.”
A longtime mixtape hustler and rapper, Jelly Roll seamlessly transitioned into both a country and rock singer this year. He dropped his album Whitsitt Chapel in June, featuring songs such as “Halfway to Hell,” “Dancing With the Devil,” and “Behind Bars.”
His sometimes shaky singing style has endeared him to fans and artists, making him a go-to collaborator. Right now, he has collabs with Cody Johnson (“Whiskey Bent”), Jessie Murph (“Wild Ones”), Riley Green (“Copenhagen in a Cadillac”), and Dustin Lynch (“Chevrolet”). At the CMAs, he added Wynonna Judd, who nervously joined him onstage for “Need a Favor,” to that list.
Sunday’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show featured major performances from artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter, LL Cool J, and Tyla from New York. Meanwhile, Bebe Rexha, Green Day, Ellie Goulding, and Janelle Monáe performed from Hollywood.
This also marks the first year that Dick Clark Productions puts on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve since it was acquired by Penske Media Eldridge, the parent company of Rolling Stone and other entertainment magazines and brands.