Nelly Admits He Married Ashanti Quickly To Avoid “Baby Mama” Label

Nelly revealed he rushed to marry Ashanti to avoid the “baby mama” label.

During a conversation on the Bootleg Kev podcast, the “Hot in Herre” rapper opened up about their wedding, giving the public a glimpse into their rekindled romance.

T.I. got real about his decision to tie the knot quickly after discovering Ashanti was expecting their child, explaining he wanted to solidify their family status before life got too hectic.

“But I was like, ‘Yo, you know what. Let’s just knock this out because we’re gonna be doing so much and everything’s moving so fast,’” Nelly explained. “And I didn’t want her to be a baby mama. Because we already knew where we were in life and if we’re back like this, this must be what this supposed to be.”

The couple quietly exchanged vows in December 2023 in a private ceremony held in St. Louis County, Missouri, keeping their nuptials under wraps from the media spotlight.

Their love story began two decades earlier, in 2003 when they first crossed paths at a Grammy Awards press event. Their relationship soon became a fixture in the Hip-Hop world, marked by a decade-long rollercoaster of breakups and makeups before finally calling it quits in 2013.

Nelly On Viral Verzuz Hug With Ashanti

The flame reignited in September 2021 during the Verzuz battle between Fat Joe and Ja Rule. A viral hug between the former flames sent social media into overdrive, fueling speculation that reconciliation was in the cards.

“I just went over, you know, we got a hug,” Nelly recalled. “Break the ice and boom. And we didn’t talk for probably another almost eight to nine months. But everything happens for a reason.”

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Fast forward to 2023, the duo officially rekindled their romance, and by April 2024, Ashanti shared the joyful news of their engagement and pregnancy. She described Nelly’s proposal as “beautiful and intimate,” with tears, hugs and kisses.

Their journey culminated in July 2024 when Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their first child, a son named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes.