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Singer Ashanti and rapper Nelly have welcomed a joyous baby into their family!
Ashanti, 43, announced on Wednesday that she had given birth to the couple’s first child.
Alongside a photo of herself wearing Frida Mom’s post-pregnancy shorts, she wrote on Instagram, “Funny how life’s plans don’t always go according to plan LOL. I’ve been looking forward to being a mom for so long but nothing could have prepared me for all that it brings! Here’s what post-pregnancy looks like. I love these super comfy @fridamom shorts! So proud of my body for carrying baby baby baby baby baby baby. 😆”
Ashanti also attached a video of herself, revealing that she is “four weeks postpartum.”
She emphasized, “You have no idea what this body can do.”
Ashanti’s representative also released a statement: people According to the magazine, “Ashanti and Nelly welcomed a baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, on July 18, 2024. The proud and happy parents love KK so much!”
Their baby was born just weeks before Nelly was arrested at the Hollywood Casino in Maryland Heights, near his hometown of St. Louis, on charges of possessing four ecstasy pills and not having car insurance.
Earlier this month, his lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, disputed the drug charges in a statement to People magazine, saying:[Nelly] He was not charged with drug possession. He was arrested for a “no proof of insurance” charge from 2018 on a warrant issued in December 2023, of which he was not notified.”
Nelly’s lawyer denies drug charges, says rapper was ‘targeted’ by police
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Nelly and Ashanti married in secret in December.
Ashanti announced the news of her pregnancy in April, telling Essence magazine, “This new year of my life is a blessing, full of love, hope and anticipation. Becoming a mother is something I’ve been looking forward to, and being able to share this with my family, my fiancé and my loyal fans who have all supported my career is an amazing experience.”
She also shared the news of the baby’s arrival on Instagram, where a video shows Ashanti getting ready to hit the stage, and when her mother, Tina Douglas, asks how long it might take, she responds, “Hmm, about nine months, I think.”
“Baby, baby, baby, baby…❤️🙏🏽😆,” Ashanti wrote in the caption.
Starting a family together is a big step for the couple, who only got back together last year after a 10-year hiatus after dating on and off from 2003 to 2013.
Nelly is also father to 29-year-old daughter Chanel and 24-year-old son Cornell with his ex-wife Shanetta Valentine.
