Ashanti and Nelly Announce Their First Child Together

Ashanti and Nelly Announce Their First Child Together

It’s a boy! St. Louis rapper Nelly and R&B star Ashanti 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 says “His dad named him with a lot of pride. She also explained that Kenkaide is a tribute to her own father’s name and Kareem meaning generous, kind and dignified spoke to the couple. 

KK was born a little early causing Nelly to have to fly in quickly to be present for the birth of his son, “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.”

Ashanti and Nelly attend 3rd Annual Birthday Ball for Pierre “P” Thomas in 2023. PARAS GRIFFIN/GETTY

Ashanti Confirms Birth On Social Media

Ashanti recently shared her first picture post-partum on Instagram where she wrote, “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. 

It was earlier this year when Ashanti confirmed with Essence that she and Nelly were expecting and engaged. “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.”

The couple married in December 2023 after reconciling nearly a decade after they broke up. 

Gushing about her baby, Ashanti said, “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.”⁠

Nelly has two children from previous relationships: daughter Chanelle Haynes, 30, and son Cornell Haynes III, 25. He also adopted Shawn and Sydney Thomas, the children of sister Jackie Donahue, after she died of leukemia in 2005.

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