Nelly says he married Ashanti to avoid labeling her a baby mama
Rapper Nelly has revealed that he and R&B star Ashanti decided to marry shortly after learning they were expecting a child — a move he says was motivated by love, respect, and their renewed connection. Speaking on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, Nelly, 50, said that while marriage wasn't initially on the table, he felt it was the right thing to do.
'Let's just knock this out — everything was moving so fast,' Nelly recalled. 'We already knew where we were in life. If we're back like this, this must be what it's supposed to be. I didn't want her to be a baby mama, you know what I mean?'
The couple rekindled their relationship in September 2023 and quietly wed three months later on December 27, as confirmed by court records obtained by People. Their marriage was kept under wraps until June 2024. Ashanti publicly revealed her pregnancy in April 2024 during an interview with Essence, and the couple welcomed their son, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes — known as KK — in July.
During the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala, Ashanti called motherhood 'amazing,' adding, 'He's a blessing. He's an angel. I'm insanely in love with him.'
Balancing motherhood with her career, Ashanti admitted she'll need 'extra hands' while touring with KK, but said she's embracing this new chapter with gratitude and joy.
At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Ashanti surprised Nelly by presenting him with the Landmark Award. Reflecting on the moment, Nelly said, 'That's my baby, man. She did her thing.'
Their rekindled romance — once the subject of speculation — has since blossomed into a family story grounded in love, mutual respect, and shared history.
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