HOUSTON — A popular recording artist took time from touring to visit children in juvenile detention in Houston on Sunday.
Jelly Roll is a singer and rapper with hits like "Son of a Sinner" and "Need a Favor." In a video posted on social media, he shared a video of himself speaking presumably to detained children who are not seen on camera.
"I don't know you but I love you," he said at the beginning of the clip. "When I was in a place like this, nobody ever came and told me that."
Jelly Roll was in Houston for his concert at the Toyota Center on Sunday night.
He said he brought pizza for the children.
"I know how far a slice of pizza can go in this place," Jelly Roll said in the video. "I've been there, I understand."
Jelly Roll and his team played basketball against the JDC Bulldogs. He admitted to losing the game.
"We was not ready," Jelly Roll said. "When they lined up and started doing layups, I knew we were in trouble."
Jelly Roll has been open about his past drug use, criminal behavior and incarceration. He spoke before a Congressional committee in January about fentanyl. He said he used to be a drug dealer but wanted "to be a part of the solution."
Harris County Juvenile Detention Center holds children under the age of 17 who are accused or convicted of serious crimes.
Jelly Roll announced a new tour on Tuesday. He will be hitting the road with Post Malone on a stadium tour that starts in April 2025. The San Antonio tour stop is May 7 and Dallas on May 9. Houston was not on the initial tour calendar.
