Jelly Roll has released the video for his latest single ‘Hands Up,’ directed by Anthony Mandler. The live performance visual takes place at California’s oldest prison, San Quentin, the same location Johnny Cash performed in 1958 — and where future country star Merle Haggard was an inmate at the time.
“Hands Up,” is described as a gospel-infused country anthem that reflects on pivotal moments from Jelly’s life, while continuing the themes of faith, redemption and resilience that have become central to his music. Written by Jelly alongside HARDY, Rocky Block, Joe Fox and Chase McGill, and produced by Charlie Handsome and Ben Johnson, the song follows its live debut during CMA Fest before officially arriving at country radio.
The autobiographical track traces three defining experiences that shaped the singer’s journey—from discovering the power of live music as a child, to encounters with law enforcement during his troubled youth, and ultimately finding spiritual renewal in church. Explaining the song’s inspiration, Jelly Roll said, “Man, this song is really just three snapshots of my life. The first time I threw my hands up was at a concert as a kid, realizing music was bigger than anything I’d ever felt before. The second time was with a cop telling me to put ’em up because I was out there making some terrible decisions. Then the third time was in a church, finally surrendering and giving God some things I couldn’t carry anymore. Same two words, hands up, but they meant something completely different in every season of my life.”
The release arrives as Jelly Roll just wrapped a busy touring schedule over the summer, performing the song both on his headlining arena ‘Little A** Shed Tour’ and on stadium dates with Post Malone on their ‘Big A** Stadium Tour’.
See the video for ‘Hands Up’ – HERE.
Stream ‘Hands Up’ – HERE.
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