Nelly and Ashanti rekindled their romance nearly a decade after their initial breakup, and the rapper recently opened up about the decision to tie the knot quickly after learning they were expecting a child.

In a candid conversation with Bootleg Kev, Nelly explained that he wanted to ensure Ashanti wouldn’t be labeled a “baby mama.” Reflecting on their journey, he recalled their unexpected reunion at the 2021 Verzuz battle between Fat Joe and Ja Rule, which marked their first in-person interaction after an eight-year separation.

“When I went to Verzuz, I had somebody with me,” Nelly admitted. “We didn’t even talk. I just went over, got a hug to break the ice. We didn’t speak for another eight or nine months.” Eventually, the pair reconnected, and soon after, Ashanti became pregnant.

“Once we found out she was pregnant, I thought, ‘You know what? Let’s just do this.’ We hadn’t really talked about marriage yet, but I didn’t want her to be a baby mama,” Nelly explained. “Things were moving fast, and it felt right.”

 

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Rekindled Love and Family Plans

Nelly and Ashanti first dated from 2003 to 2013 before going their separate ways. A decade later, they found their way back to each other. In 2023, the couple held an intimate wedding ceremony and welcomed their son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, in July 2024.

Ashanti has since expressed her excitement about expanding their family. During a recent interview with E! News, she shared plans for more children.

“We’re definitely planning to add a girl to balance it out. I’m outnumbered in the house right now, so a little girl would be great,” she said.

Motherhood has brought joy and fulfillment to the singer. “I feel amazing, incredibly pleased, and humbled. My life has completely changed for the better. My cup is full,” Ashanti reflected.

In addition to family life, Nelly also discussed reuniting with his St. Lunatics crew and collaborating with Tim McGraw in his interview with Bootleg Kev. The rapper’s reflections on his personal and professional milestones demonstrate how far he’s come since his early days in the music industry.