Ashanti and Nelly started dating in 2003. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
After reconnecting last year, Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their first child in July 2024. The couple also revealed their son’s name.
Musicians Ashanti and Nelly are now parents! The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, last month, confirmed the singer through her Instagram handle. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti not only confirmed the baby’s arrival but also revealed his name. The announcement came shortly after Ashanti flaunted her postpartum body on Instagram. “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, baby,” she wrote.
In a video attached to the post, she poses in loungewear and says, “Four weeks postpartum. You have no idea what this body can do.”
According to ET, Ashanti and her husband Nelly welcomed their son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, whom they have nicknamed KK, on July 18, 2024. “His dad named him with a lot of pride,” the singer further explained, explaining that while Kenkaide is a tribute to her own father’s name, Kareem means generous, kind and dignified. She also shared how KK had a little early delivery, causing Nelly to fly in at the last minute to make it in time. “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. Having a vision of this moment for so long… it was such an electrifying feeling,” she added.
Ashanti also spoke at length about her early stages of life as a mom and added that her son completely dictates everything now, keeping her “entire soul wrapped around his finger.”
The musicians announced they were expecting their first baby together in April this year. Ashanti and Nelly started dating in 2003 before parting ways in 2013. Later, they reconnected in 2023 and even got married. While this is Ashanti’s first pregnancy, Nelly previously welcomed a daughter and a son with ex-girlfriend Channetta Valentine. Besides, he had also adopted his sister’s kids after her demise.
