Jelly Roll Films Powerful ‘Hands Up’ Video Inside San Quentin Prison
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Jelly Roll has unveiled one of the most emotional music videos of his career, performing inside California’s historic San Quentin Rehabilitation Center for the new visual accompanying “Hands Up.”
Directed by Anthony Mandler, the black and white Jelly Roll video was filmed inside the iconic prison, following in the footsteps of country legend Johnny Cash, who famously performed for inmates at San Quentin in 1958.
That landmark concert would later inspire future country icon Merle Haggard, who was incarcerated at the prison at the time, rather than relying on actors or a staged production, Jelly Roll made it clear the people featured throughout the video are the real men living inside the facility (per Billboard).
“These are not actors. This is not a movie set.”
The video opens with Jelly Roll arriving at the prison before walking through security and into the rehabilitation centre, where on screen text highlights San Quentin’s modern focus on education, career training, restorative justice and programs designed to help inmates successfully return to their communities.
Before taking the stage, the country star shares a prayer with inmates, greets them with handshakes and fist bumps, then launches into an energetic performance of “Hands Up” for the packed room.
Throughout the video, performance footage is interwoven with the personal stories of several incarcerated men, placing redemption, accountability and second chances at the heart of the project.
Closing out the performance, Jelly Roll tells the crowd:
“This has been amazing! Listen, if nothing else, we were all f–kin’ free together, baby.”
On Spotify exclusively for now
The project continues a theme that has become central to Jelly Roll’s career. Long before collecting chart-topping albums, Grammy Awards and country radio hits, the singer built his reputation by openly discussing addiction, mental health, incarceration and the possibility of redemption through both his music and public advocacy.
For the first 48 hours following its release, the “Hands Up” music video is available exclusively on Spotify:
The video premieres on YouTube July 18th at midnight, join the waiting list below:
A full circle moment
Earlier this year, during his Grand Ole Opry induction celebrations, Johnny Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, surprised Jelly Roll by presenting him with a gold cross necklace that had once belonged to his father.
