Live from Studio 8H, it's Jelly Roll!
The musician, 39, made his Saturday Night Live debut on Sept. 28, when he served as musical guest during the comedy series' milestone season 50 premiere, which was hosted by Jean Smart.
Jelly Roll's first performance featured a surprise cameo in the form of Smart's Hacks costar Hannah Einbender, who appeared alongside the host to introduce the singer for his song "Liar" from his forthcoming album, Beautifully Broken.
Dressed in a gray embellished denim jacket, a black top and black pants, Jelly Roll put his impressive vocals on display with a performance that featured a unique set-up of his band lined up on either side behind him, with choral singers then standing on a slightly raised platform behind each line of the band.
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Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, later sang another song from his soon-to-be-released LP, the track "Winning Streak." This time, the singer had a semi-circle of empty chairs standing behind him as he performed, with his band behind that and two rows of singers once more standing in a line on either side of the space.
Again, Jelly Roll opted for another simple look of all-black, this time a black shirt-jacket layered over another black shirt and t-shirt underneath, teamed with black pants.
The star previously expressed his excitement about his SNL gig, writing in apost, "The premiere of the 50th season ofSNL. BRB going to cry for a few hours and call every family member I have. Bringing therapeutic music to my favorite show ever. God is Good."
Jelly Roll's SNL performance took place shortly after the star recently revealed that he wants -
to pursue acting projects.
While speaking with PEOPLE andEntertainment Weeklyon the red carpet ahead of the 2024Emmy Awardson Sunday, Sept. 15, the father of two said he specifically wants to jump into a television series so he could return to the awards show in the future, after he called his first time at the event "the coolest experience."
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"It's crazy, man," he said. "I want to be in a TV show now so I can come here every year, dude. I'm calling all my country music friends and telling them, 'We are missing the mark, dude. We gotta be at the Emmys.' "
During the annual awards show, Jelly Roll performed as part of the In Memoriam segment, where he sang his original song “I Am Not Okay."
SNL announced the cast for its landmark season earlier this month.
Returning cast membersMarcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow andDevon Walkerwere promoted to the main cast after two years each as featured players, while Punkie Johnson, Chloe Troast and Molly Kearney have all stepped away. Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline, meanwhile, have been added to the sketch comedy show's roster.
Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang round out the remainder of the cast.
Other hosts and musical guests announced so far for SNL's season 50 include Nate Bargatze with Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael KeatonwithBillie Eilish and John MulaneywithChappell Roan
Saturday Night Live airs at 11:30 p.m. ET on weekends on NBC. Jelly Roll's latest album, Beautifully Broken, will be available to purchase and stream on Oct. 11.
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