Jelly Roll is returning to prison — this time as a performer and a symbol of redemption — in the new music video for his song “Hands Up.”
The country superstar, who has spoken openly about his years behind bars following a felony conviction, filmed the video at San Quentin, performing directly for the facility’s inmates. Before the performance begins, he opens with a prayer, asking that the men inside find the same capacity for change that he himself experienced. The clip is a striking piece of visual storytelling that draws a direct line between his past and his present.
New Videos Enter the Race
Jelly Roll’s “Hands Up” arrives at a competitive moment in the weekly Taste of Country fan video poll. Charles Wesley Godwin and Wyatt Flores have released a collaborative clip, while Trey Calloway and Mo Pitney have each dropped new videos of their own, making for a deep and varied field this week.
The current Top 10 has shifted considerably over the past two weeks of voting. The Malpass Brothers, Midland, Dylan Scott, and Little Big Town with Ashley Monroe have all made strong debuts. Meanwhile, two videos are stepping out of contention: Spencer Hatcher’s “When She Calls Me Cowboy” retires after an extended run in the Top 5 that included a stretch at No. 1, and Zach Bryan’s “Breakfast in Bed” is also leaving the poll, apparently after the singer removed the clip from online platforms.
How the Poll Works
The Taste of Country video countdown is decided entirely by reader votes, with fans eligible to cast one vote per hour until the poll closes each Saturday at noon ET. The weekly Top 10 is revealed immediately after voting ends. Videos are removed from consideration after six months, when audience interest fades, or when an artist releases a new video for a current single. Tabulated results may shift slightly after the close of voting as illegitimate votes are identified and removed.
With several strong new entries in the mix and Jelly Roll’s deeply personal “Hands Up” video generating attention, this week’s poll is shaping up to be one of the more compelling contests in recent weeks.
