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Ashanti and Nelly's love story has reached an exciting new chapter, as the longtime partners have welcomed their first child together. The R&B power couple, who quietly tied the knot in December 2023, announced the arrival of their baby boy on July 18, 2024.
"Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, on July 18, 2024. The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!" their rep told PEOPLE.
The new mom took to Instagram on August 21 to share the happy news, posting a photo of herself in postpartum underwear. "Funny how life's plans aren't...always on time.. lol," Ashanti wrote. "I've been waiting to be a mom for a long time now but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings!"
Ashanti, 43, and Nelly, 49, first announced they were expecting their first child together back in April 2024. At the time, the "Foolish" singer told Essence, "This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. 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 baby news came alongside the couple's engagement announcement. However, it was later revealed that Nelly and Ashanti had actually already wed four months prior, tying the knot in a private ceremony on December 27, 2023.
This marks the first child for Ashanti, while Nelly is now a father of five. The "Country Grammar" rapper shares daughter Chanelle and son Cornell III with ex Channetta Valentine, and he also adopted his late sister Jackie Donahue's kids, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, after she passed away in 2005.
Ashanti and Nelly's journey to parenthood has been a long time coming.,The two musical artists first crossed paths over 20 years ago at the,2003 Grammy Awards, though their romantic relationship was often an on-again, off-again one. After breaking up in 2013, the pair reconnected in 2023 and were able to rekindle their love.
"We cool again," Nelly shared on Boss Moves With Rasheeda last year. "I think it surprised both of us, though. It wasn't anything that was like, I don't think, planned. I think we both was pretty much doing what we do. But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more."
Now, Ashanti and Nelly are overjoyed to welcome their baby boy and embark on this new chapter together as a family. Congratulations to the proud parents!
