Nelly and Ashanti Welcome Their First Child Together and Announce His Name: “So in Love”

The couple welcomed their first child, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, on July 18, 2024.

A mother, Ashanti is!

She and her spouse, Nelly, 49, have welcomed their first child together. The singer, 43, announced the exciting news on Instagram. Ashanti was photographed in her Frida Mom disposable undergarments, photographing herself in the mirror as she disclosed the appearance of her fourth trimester.

Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, into the world on July 18, 2024. The parents, who are full of pride and joy, are smitten with KK. PEOPLE is informed by a representative for the couple.

Additionally, Ashanti posted a video of herself in a blue gown, showcasing her body as she declared, “Four weeks postpartum,” in the carousel of photos on her Instagram account. You have no notion the capabilities of this body.

“I find it amusing that life’s plans are not always executed on time.” The newly appointed mother wrote in her caption, “I have been eagerly anticipating becoming a mother for an extended period of time; however, nothing could have prepared me for the vast array of experiences that motherhood will bring.”

I am enjoying these super cozy @fridamom shorts! This is what postpartum looks like. 😆 I am incredibly delighted of my body for delivering my baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.

The Grammy Award-winning artists initially disclosed that they were expecting their first child together when the R&B songstress posted a video on her Instagram account.

As Ashanti prepared for a performance, her mother, Tina Douglas, inquired about the amount of time she required. Ashanti replied, “I will require approximately nine months,” which caused her mother to appear bewildered.

Essence was informed by the singer that she was not only pregnant but also engaged to Nelly.

“This new year of my life is a blessing filled with love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti stated to the outlet. “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.”

In June, PEOPLE obtained documents that indicated Nelly and Ashanti were married on December 27, 2023. TMZ was the first to share the news of their wedding.

In December, the 11th Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel was the first occasion on which the renowned couple inspired pregnancy rumors while both were onstage.

As the rapper observed, the songstress placed her hands on her stomach, and he followed suit. Many admirers interpreted the two’s sudden burst of laughter and large smiles as a sign that they had exciting news to share regarding their baby. They engaged in eye contact before the exchange.

While appearing on the Boss Moves with Rasheeda program in September 2023, Nelly declared that the couple had reconciled, stating that the news “surprised both of us.”

“It was not something that we had intended.” “We were both essentially performing our duties,” he clarified. But occasionally, the separation allows for a deeper understanding of one another. You could be like, “Well, yo, let me see exactly what they see.” In our personal relationships, we are all capable of becoming defensive at times. We know that we are in the wrong, but we are going to abide by our decision. Do you understand? However, we are all susceptible to suffering from this.

Nelly is the father of one son, Cornell III (known as Tre), who is 25 years old, and one daughter, Chanelle (known as Nana), who is 30 years old. The rapper also assisted in the upbringing of his niece Sydney and nephew Shawn following the death of his sister, Jackie Donahue, from leukemia at the age of 31 in March 2005.