This isn’t just a dream.
Nelly and Ashanti—who quietly tied the knot in December 2023—welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, on July 18, their rep told People.
The rep added, “The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!”
Ashanti also confirmed the news by sharing a photo of herself in postpartum underwear.
“Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol,” the singer, wearing Frida Mom, wrote on Instagram Aug. 21. “I’ve been waiting to be a mom for a long time now but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings!”
Noting that “this is what postpartum looks like,” Ashanti gushed that she’s “so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.”
The couple announced their pregnancy and engagement simultaneously seven months after confirming they had rekindled their romance.
They shared the big news in a joint April 17 Instagram post, featuring a video of Ashanti getting ready backstage and the caption, “Baby baby baby baby…,” referring to her iconic 2002 hit. When asked how much more time she needed, she replied, “I’m gonna need about nine months.”
