Ashanti and Nelly Welcome First Child Together (and We Already Have a Name)

Awww baby, Ashanti, 43, and Nelly, 49, have welcomed their first child together—and we have a name too.

E! News reported that the couple welcomed a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Hayes on July 18. The “Foolish” singer shared the news with her followers yesterday on Instagram. 

Along with a photo of herself wearing postpartum underwear with a blue/white housecoat, the new mom wrote in the caption, “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—I’m loving these super cozy @fridamom shorts! I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, boy.”

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti revealed the special meaning behind her son’s name. She told the outlet, “His dad named him with a lot of pride.” Kenkaide is a tribute to her own father’s name and Kareem, meaning generous, kind and dignified.

While referring to their son by his nickname, the John Tucker Must Die alum went on to share how she felt after welcoming their newborn child into the world. “KK had a dignified birth, coming just a little early, causing Nelly to fly in at the last minute to make it in time,” she continued. “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,” Ashanti recalled. “Having a vision of this moment for so long...it was such an electrifying feeling.”