Nelly and Ashanti welcomed their first child together, Kareem Haynes, in July 2024.
The Grammy-winning artists have a long romantic history. They started dating in 2003 and were together for a decade before going their separate ways. The pair rekindled their romance in 2023 and revealed that they were engaged and expecting the following year.
Ashanti announced her pregnancy in April 2024 on Instagram, sharing a video teasing that she’ll need “nine months” to get ready.
Related: Nelly and Ashanti’s Relationship Timeline: A Look at Their Rekindled Romance
“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” the singer told Essence that month. “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, who secretly wed on Dec. 27, 2023, welcomed their baby boy, whom they affectionately call KK, seven months later.
In November 2024, Nelly and Ashanti opened up to Entertainment Tonight about their infant son. “He’s such an incredibly happy baby,” Ashanti gushed. “He smiles all the time.” She went on to say that he lights up around Nelly. “When he sees daddy, the vibe definitely changes.”
Meanwhile, Nelly, who is a dad to four other kids, also praised Ashanti’s maternal skills. “She’s an awesome mom,” he said. “To watch someone care about someone else so much and give their all and is willing to give their all.”
From the special meaning behind his name to his latest milestones, here’s everything to know about Nelly and Ashanti’s son.
He was born in July 2024
Ashanti/ Instagram
Nelly and Ashanti pose for a photo together in May 2024.
Nelly and Ashanti’s first child together, son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, was born on July 18, 2024. “The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!” a rep for the couple told PEOPLE.
In August, Ashanti announced the news on Instagram with a photo of herself in the mirror, showing off her postpartum body.
“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,” she wrote. “I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, boy.”
That same month, the singer spoke to Entertainment Tonight about giving birth for the first time. “It was such an amazing, incredible feeling and experience,” she said. “He actually came a little early and dad had to fly in last minute, which was awesome.”
Luckily, Nelly made it just in time to watch KK being born. “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,” she said.
His name has a special meaning
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Ashanti and Nelly perform at E11EVEN Miami on February 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
During that same interview with ET, Ashanti shared the special meaning behind Kareem’s name — and how Nelly was the driving force behind it.
“His dad named him with a lot of pride,” she told the outlet. “I thought it was just so amazing and so thoughtful and so sweet, because Kenkaide is my dad’s name and obviously my dad has only girls.”
As for his first name, the singer explained that they chose the moniker based on its meaning. “It means generous, kind, noble, dignified, bountiful and just having dignity,” she said, adding, “I was like, ‘Oh that’s so cute!’ ”
He has four older siblings
Lisa O’Connor/ZUMA Press/Alamy
NELLY and his kids at the 19th Annual Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards on Apr 1, 2006 in Westwood, California.
While KK is Ashanti’s first kid, he’s not an only child. Nelly is also a proud father to four other children.
The “High Horse” singer shares daughter Chanelle and son Cornell with his ex-girlfriend Channetta Valentine. He’s also dad to his niece and nephew, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, whom he adopted in 2005 after his sister, Jackie Donahue, died of leukemia.
He takes after his dad
Phillip Hamer Photography/Getty
Ashanti and Nelly on stage at Nelly’s Black and White Ball on December 15, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.
Although KK is Ashanti’s “twin” in the looks department, in many ways, he takes after Nelly.
In August 2024, the “Foolish” singer told ET that the father-son duo share a certain mannerism when they’re asleep. “He sleeps exactly like his dad, which is hilarious,” she said, noting that they’re both side sleepers who position their hands in a similarly cute way.
However, he may have also inherited some of Nelly’s less desirable traits. “[He] has daddy’s temper,” Ashanti joked to PEOPLE in November 2024. “When the bottle isn’t ready — oh, man.”
She went on to gush about their then-4-month-old son. “He’s a blessing. He’s an angel. My life is amazing right now. I’m super blessed, so happy. I’m insanely in love with him.”
His parents are keeping photos of him private
Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
Ashanti and Nelly attend the Baby2Baby Gala on November 09, 2024 in West Hollywood, California.
While both Nelly and Ashanti have opened up about their life with KK, the couple have gone back and forth when it comes to sharing photos of him with the world.
In a February 2025 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti explained why she was hesitant to post her baby on social media. “I just feel like he’s so important to me and I don’t know if I want to share that,” she said, adding, “He’s a beautiful baby. He’s definitely my twin.”
She went on to say that there are times when KK does something really cute that she wants to share and brag about. Despite that, and the fact that Nelly is eager to post pictures of their son, she’s not quite ready. “I just want to keep him to me for a little bit,” she explained.
Motherhood has been life-changing for Ashanti
Courtesy of Ashanti
Ashanti takes a selfie in August 2024.
From the moment KK was born, Ashanti’s world has been completely transformed, she said.
“It changed me to the extent that I am no longer in charge. My son definitely dictates everything. Like, he is priority over all,” she told ET in August 2024. “It’s this overwhelming feeling of love and admiration and giving. This little boy has my entire soul.”
Becoming a mother has also inspired Ashanti when it comes to giving back to the community, particularly to underprivileged women and families.
“Having a child magnifies the love and the humility,” she told PARENTS in February 2025. “I’m just so grateful for my mom, cousins, aunties, and family. We have this amazing village, and my heart goes out to women who don’t necessarily have that.”
Because of that, she explained, she’s been more cognizant than ever about offering donations and raising awareness for issues like domestic violence and homelessness.
“After having my baby, and just feeling that love … and, then realizing that everyone doesn’t have those resources makes you want to give, and it makes you want to do something,” she said.
Read the original article on People
