Nelly and Ashanti
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
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
For months now it’s been known rumored that Ashanti and Nelly are expecting, and though the couple haven’t confirmed the news as of yet, Ashanti’s mother might’ve let the cat out of the bag…sort of.
Recently Ashanti’s mother Tina Douglas participated in an onstage interview with Antoine Edwards and after Edwards congratulated Douglas on her daughter’s rumored pregnancy, Douglas tried to downplay the news saying “There’s been no announcement,” which caused Edwards to apologize and say she thought it was already public. Douglas responded by saying “It is public. Don’t get it twisted, but it hasn’t been officially announced.” In other words, “Thank you, but no comment just yet.”
They tried to catch Ashanti’s mama slippin’ but she ain’t take the bait. Good sh*t Ms. Douglas.
Though the news of Ashanti’s pregnancy has been floating around since December neither she nor Nelly have officially announced the good news. While the two have been taking to social media to show the world just how deep in love they are these days, the “Happy” singer has been sporting loose fitting clothes in most of her posts. A far cry from the thirst traps her fans are used to seeing before she reconnected with Nelly last year.
As to why the two haven’t confirmed the rumors as of yet, that’s anyone’s guess. Maybe they plan to do so in extravagant fashion. Maybe they don’t want to jinx it as many couples choose to keep such news to themselves to avoid the “evil eye” of haters and so forth. Regardless of why they’re keeping everything under wraps, we’re glad the two are out there living their best lives and are potentially going to start a family together.
What do y’all think? Should Nelly and Ashanti just confirm the rumors at this point or keep it private until the kid is born? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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