ashanti
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty / Nelly / Apple Bottom Jeans
Apple Bottom Jeans is back. Nelly is trying to make his mark in women’s fashion again with the return of the clothing brand geared towards blessed in the booty department.
Nelly confirmed to TMZ Hip Hop that Apple Bottom Jeans, the clothing line he first launched in 2002 for ladies (mainly Black and Brown) of all shapes, sizes, curves, and contours, will return in November 2024.
Ashanti’s baby daddy told the celebrity gossip site in a statement, “Our goal as a brand remains the same: celebrating ALL women, all shapes and sizes. We have amazing new styles and are ready to shake the fashion world again … we’re back!!!”
According to the brand’s official Instagram account, the presale is live.
According to the celebrity gossip site Nelly and the brand’s president, Michael Saunders, the jeans will use new technology to make them more stretchy. That’s important because the booties have gotten much larger than they used to be when Nelly first introduced the brand to the world in 2002.
The news of Apple Bottom Jeans’ relaunch follows other great news in the rapper’s life. He recently welcomed his first child, a boy, with his longtime girlfriend, singer and songwriter Ashanti, who just sang the national anthem at Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
Nelly’s spinning of the block was successful after he encountered Ashanti, who was his ex at the time, during his VERZUZ battle (remember those?) with Fat Joe, who brought the R&B superstar out to sing the hook of their collaborative effort, “What’s Luv?”
PEOPLE reports the couple secretly married in December 2023, which means she will have a lifetime supply of Apple Bottom Jeans gear to wear when she hits the stage.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / Getty
Nelly and Ashanti are sharing that they welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, on July 18.
A representative confirmed the birth and the baby’s name with People and added “The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!”
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti shares how their son got his name, “His dad named him with a lot of pride,” she said, adding that Kenkaide is a tribute to her own father’s name and Kareem meaning generous, kind and dignified, spoke to the couple.
She also revealed that the baby came a little early, causing Nelly to have to quickly fly in for the birth. “Having all of us in the delivery room and seeing his face for the first time, I cried it was just so emotional and spiritual at the same time,” Ashanti recalled. “Having a vision of this moment for so long…it was such an electrifying feeling.”
The announcement comes after Ashanti shared her first post-delivery photo on Instagram where she posed in disposable underwear from a company called Frida Mom–which specializes in products for pregnant women and new mothers.
“Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol. I’ve been waiting to be a mom for a long time now but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings! This is what postpartum looks like I’m loving these super cozy @fridamom shorts! I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, boy,” the singer wrote in the photo caption, adding a heart eyes emoji.
The couple reconciled after nearly a decade apart and were married in December 2023.
In April of this year, Ashanti confirmed with Essence that she and Nelly were expecting. “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she said. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”
She also offered some advice to other new moms, “follow your gut instinct and keep strong no matter what the obstacles bring,” adding, “Your child absolutely feels your energy. Make sure that the baby feels secure and safe and you have to have space for you as well. Don’t get too lost into the world of the baby. I think that it’s really important to create a balance.” But, as she’s quick to laugh and point out, “I’m super brand new so I’m not trying to give the golden advice.”
She also shared, “My son definitely dictates everything now, he is the priority overall and I don’t care what it will take, what I have to do, I’m just going to give everything and my all to my son. This little boy has my entire soul wrapped around his finger.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Ashanti and Nelly reunited back in 2023, rekindling a romance that began two decades prior just as their respective careers were in full swing. Now, the beautiful couple have announced some big news that was delivered in super cute fashion.
Ashanti, 43, spoke exclusively with ESSENCE to reveal that their pair are now engaged and are currently expecting their first child together. This will be baby number one for the songstress while Nelly, 49, has children from previous relationships along with two adopted children.
More from ESSENCE:
“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she says. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”
The news was accompanied by a video showing Ashanti prepping for a performance while her team, which includes an appearance from her mom and manager, Tina Douglas. When asked how much time she’ll need to prepare, the “Happy” singer appears from the stage curtains to let her team know she’ll need nine months while holding a testing kit from the Proov company.
In the article, it is revealed that Nelly and Ashanti are co-owners of Proov alongside its founder, Amy Beckley, PhD. Proov provides at-home tests for couples who wish to conceive. How cool is that?
It’s always dope to see Black love shine like this and we couldn’t be happier for the couple. Is this the greatest “spin the block” story of all time? Let us know in the comments if so.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Congrats are in order since R&B crooner Ashanti is reportedly pregnant. We must also note that those devoted fans who patiently awaited all her thirst traps are definitely in their feelings now.
And before y’all even start—yes, her back on again boyfriend Nelly is the father.
US Weekly confirmed that the couple is expect their first child together. While it will be a Ashanti’s first, Nelly has a son and daughter from a previously relationship.
We compiled some of the assorted, and mostly excited, reactions to the news in the gallery. And you already know that Irv Gotti is casting full clips of strays on these Internet streets thanks to his part commentary.
Congratulations to Ashanti and Nelly.
This story is developing.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
It’s official, Nelly and Ashanti are once again an item, and honestly, we’re not mad at the news.
After months of rumors that the two were once again boo’d up and hanging out together, Nelly confirmed that they are indeed together and seemingly happy with the reunion. During an interview on Rasheeda and Kirk Frost’s podcast, Boss Moves With Rasheeda, Nelly lit up when asked about his rekindled relationship with the “Rain On Me” singer and revealed, “Yea, we cool again… I think it surprised both of us. It wasn’t anything that was planned.”
According to People, the two have been trying to keep their relationship under wraps for a while (the internet ruins everyone’s relationship at some point), but it seems like the two are ready to go public with their love… or at least Nelly is at this point.
People reports:
“We both were pretty much doing what we do,” he said in the new interview. “But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more. You could be like, ‘Well yo, let me exactly see maybe what they see.’ We all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we wrong but we going to stand on it, you know what I mean? But we all a victim to that.”
When asked by Rasheeda if his renewed relationship with Ashanti feels good now, Nelly replied in the affirmative. “I mean, because it’s no pressure,” he explained, “Before I felt like both of us are doing what we’re doing before career-wise. And when you got so many people in the middle of it, it can be tough.”
In the comments section of The Shade Room’s Instagram post featuring Nelly’s interview, Ashanti remarked: “Heyyyyyy bighead 😍❤️🤣 @nelly.”
Reps for Ashanti and Nelly did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
We love it.
Hopefully this time the relationship will last and maybe a wedding might be on the menu at some point, but until then let’s just let these two lovebirds live and sing in harmony without any social media interference for the foreseeable future.
What do y’all think of Nelly and Ashanti reconnecting in 2023? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
If kick a person while they are down was a person it would be 50 Cent. He recently teased Irv Gotti after Nelly and Ashanti were spotted together looking real cozy.
As spotted on TMZ the Queens, New York native did not waste any time when the former couple were spotted looking friendly at their joint performance at Tao Beach in Las Vegas. 50 Cent took to social media with the clip of their set and added a very unflattering photo of the Murder Inc. Records founder to the Instagram post. “Man Somebody Check On Irv Gotti ASAP! Know He Going Through Right Now” the header on the visual read. He upped the petty by quoting Irv from his infamous appearance on Drink Champs on the caption “I was in love wit her, and she just popped up with Nelly”.
In addition to their performance at the popular pool party, the two talents also attended the Gervonta Davis versus Ryan Garcia boxing match over the weekend. There Nelly held her hand as they walked to their seats prompting speculation that the singer and rapper are once again an item. Shani and Mo had a solid run as couple during the mid 2000’s but abruptly went their separate ways. The two saw each other at the Ja Rule and Fat Joe Verzuz back in 2021 and it seemed Nelly definitely wanted to rekindle their former flame. Irv has yet to respond to the slander.
You can view 50 Cent’s post below.
Photo: Bernard “Beanz” Smalls
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
The rumor mill is swirling after Nelly and Ashanti were spotted holding hands following the boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia, where the two were together ringside, according to Page Six.
While the duo have not confirmed that they are seeing each other again, fans are already celebrating on social media.
“Awww. Nelly and Ashanti are back together I’m here for it. They both aged beautifully,” one wrote.
Even fellow celebs got into the mix with fellow rapper Bow Wow writing in the comments section of an Instagram post from The Shade Room.“Yo mo! I know we not seeing eye to eye either really but from lil bro to big bro STOP PLAYING AND MARRY THIS WOMAN BRO!” fellow rapper Bow Wow wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post from The Shade Room. “You like 50 sit yo old ass down this your queen.”
The couple has been romantically linked on and off since the 2000s and this isn’t the first time that fans have hoped for a reunion. In December 2022, the pair performed their hit, “Body On Me,” in front of an audience where they were smiling and grinding on each other on stage. Later that month in an interview with Andy Cohen, Ashanti said she was surprised by the positive reaction from fans.
“My reaction was, ‘Wow.’ It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that [us back together],” she said at the time, “What I will say is, we’re in a better place. You know, ’cause before, it was like [mimics fighting]. But we’re cool now. Yeah, we have some conversations, you know. So it’s cool.”
Cohen pushed the subject asking, “But you’re not getting back together?” The singer struggled to find words, simply responding, “I mean, I don’t…”
Fans on Twitter are celebrating the possible reunion with one making comparisons to the rekindled relationship between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez which finally resulted in their marriage more than a decade after they broke up.
One user said that there was one person who really deserves the credit for the reunion.
-
Pages