Rapper and singer Nelly, aka Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., will embrace fatherhood once again. As per an exclusive from The Jasmine Brand, his wife Ashanti is reportedly pregnant with their second child. They welcomed their first child, son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, in July 2024 after they secretly got married in December last year.
The pregnancy news was shared with the media outlet by an insider. However, the couple has not officially announced it. Other than son Kareem, Nelly has two kids from his previous relationship with Channetta Valentine - son Cornell Haynes III and daughter Chanelle (Nana). He also adopted his stepsister’s children, Sydney and Shawn, after their mother passed away in 2005 due to Leukemia.
While speaking to People Magazine in 2021, the rapper discussed stepping up for his family after his sister's passing, taking in her children. Despite his pain, he emphasized the importance of being present for them during their grief, like attending milestones and providing discipline when needed, while he highlighted the strength and unity of the family.
Haynes Jr. and Ashanti met in 2003 during a Grammy Awards press conference. The duo dated until 2013, when they separated. However, their romance ignited once again in April 2023 after they were spotted in a boxing match in Las Vegas. They also worked together on various projects like Body of Me and This Lil’ Game We Play.
In a recent interview with ET, Ashanti described the rapper as her "soulmate," reflecting on their reunion, which even surprised them. Nelly, speaking with Rasheeda and Kirk Frost of Love & Hip Hop, shared how time apart allowed them to understand each other better.
Nelly shared an adorable birthday wish for Ashanti in October 2024
The rapper shared a heartfelt birthday message on Ashanti’s birthday on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for having someone who loves and appreciates him equally.
He described bringing her happiness as his greatest joy and celebrated her as the most beautiful woman in the world, accompanied by clips showcasing their bond.
Ashanti shared a glimpse of her postpartum journey after Kareen's birth through an Instagram post on August 22, 2024. In the caption, she reflected on the challenges and joys of motherhood and wrote she was proud of her body for bringing her son into the world.
Her son’s name honors her father, Kenkaide, and was chosen with pride by Nelly. This was the first time when Ashanti described the experience of seeing her baby.
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Meanwhile, Nelly faced legal trouble earlier in August 2024. He was arrested in St. Louis on August 7, 2024, for possession of a controlled substance after ecstasy pills were reportedly found during a visit to Hollywood Casino.
His attorney, Scott Rosenblum, claimed the arrest was unwarranted, accusing the officer of overstepping after the rapper won several jackpots. Rosenblum was confident that the charges would not hold and announced plans to request an inquiry into the officer’s conduct.
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