Jelly Roll & Shaboozey Deliver Genre-Bending Performance and Emotional Tribute at the 60th ACM Awards
The 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards delivered plenty of standout moments, but none hit quite as deeply as Jelly Roll’s surprise collaboration with rising genre-blender Shaboozey. Their performance didn’t just entertain — it moved people.
A Genre-Breaking Moment That Struck the Soul
As the stage lights dimmed, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey launched into a mashup that defied musical boundaries — a daring blend of rap, country, and soul. What started as an unexpected combination soon unfolded into one of the night’s most electrifying and emotional moments. The performance reminded viewers that country music isn’t confined to one sound — it’s a story told many ways.
Amidst the cheers and thunderous applause, one quiet, unforgettable image stood out: Jelly Roll’s daughter, sitting in the front row beside her mother, eyes locked on her father. Her face glowed with admiration as she watched him pour everything he had into the music.
“You could see it in her eyes — this was a moment she’ll never forget,” a fan wrote online.
“That’s what music is about — family, feeling, and truth.”
A Silent Tribute That Spoke Volumes
As the final note echoed through the venue and the applause swelled, Jelly Roll didn’t simply exit the stage. Instead, he walked down into the audience, exchanging quiet nods and heartfelt acknowledgments. And then, the room hushed.
He stopped before country icon Wynonna Judd — a living legend — and dropped to one knee, overcome with emotion. Arms open, eyes glassy, he embraced her in a silent, powerful thank-you. No words were spoken, but everything was understood.
It was a deeply personal moment — an unspoken homage to Judd’s strength, her influence, and the hope she’s offered countless artists like Jelly Roll.
One of the Most Unforgettable Moments of the Night
In a show full of dazzling lights and superstar energy, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey’s performance stood out as something far more rare: raw, real, and rooted in gratitude.
More than just a mashup, the performance was a love letter to musical evolution, to family, and to the legends who make paths for others to follow.
By breaking down genres and lifting up hearts, Jelly Roll reminded the world: great music doesn’t follow rules — it follows something deeper. It follows the soul.
Watch the full performance — including Jelly Roll’s emotional tribute to Wynonna Judd — in the video below.