Ashanti’s long-time dream of motherhood has finally been fulfilled.

The talented singer known for her hit “Foolish,” aged 43, and her partner Nelly, who is 49, welcomed their baby boy last month. Ashanti revealed the joyful news on Instagram Wednesday, sharing a heartfelt postpartum video of herself.

“Four weeks postpartum,” Ashanti shared in the video. “You have no idea the strength of this body.”

In her post, she discussed her experiences adjusting to motherhood during the challenging fourth trimester.

“Isn’t it funny how life doesn’t always go as planned? I’ve eagerly awaited this moment for quite some time, yet I wasn’t ready for all that comes with being a mom!” she expressed, also mentioning her postpartum underwear. “I am immensely proud of my body for bringing my baby into this world.”

Ashanti shared with Entertainment Tonight that they named their son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, who arrived a bit earlier than expected on July 18, 2024. She noted that Kenkaide honors her father’s name.

“His father took pride in naming him,” she told the news outlet. “Witnessing him in the delivery room for the first time made me emotional, it was such a spiritual moment.”

YSL News has contacted representatives for both singers for further comment.

Nelly and Ashanti tied the knot secretly in December

Nelly has two children from previous relationships: a daughter named Chanelle Haynes, 30, and a son named Cornell Haynes III, 25. He also adopted Shawn and Sydney Thomas, who are Jackie Donahue’s children, after her passing from leukemia in 2005.

The birth of Ashanti and Nelly’s child follows just two months after reports surfaced indicating they had recently married. St. Louis, Missouri public records reviewed by YSL News show they tied the knot on December 27, 2023.

After first meeting in the early 2000s, the Grammy Award-winning couple dated privately on and off for about ten years. Their relationship reignited in 2021 when they reconnected at the Verzuz battle featuring Fat Joe and Ja Rule, at which point DJ City provided Nelly with Ashanti’s phone number.

After several months of speculation about their romance rekindling, Nelly confirmed in a September 2023 interview that he and Ashanti were giving their relationship another chance. He stated on the Philo show “Boss Moves with Rasheeda” that they were “cool again.”

Ashanti made their relationship red-carpet official at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in September, showcasing a clutch bag featuring their photo.

They fueled dating rumors a few months earlier when they performed their 2008 duet “Body on Me,” which features Akon, during a surprise stage appearance in Las Vegas.

Nelly’s legal troubles shortly after baby’s arrival; attorney claims no ‘probable cause’

A few weeks ago, Nelly was arrested in St. Louis during the early morning of August 7.

He faced charges for possession of a controlled substance after four ecstasy pills were discovered on him while visiting Hollywood Casino.

Nelly’s lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, stated to YSL News that the singer was “singled out by an overly aggressive officer” following his jackpot wins.

“Rather than overseeing Mr. Haynes’ winnings, this officer decided to conduct an unnecessary warrant check,” Rosenblum noted. He claimed the officer’s search after finding out about the warrant lacked “probable cause,” and that Nelly was “handcuffed behind his back and paraded through the casino in front of other guests.”

“I am completely confident this will not lead to any consequences. We will also request an inquiry into this officer’s actions,” the attorney concluded.

Contributing: Edward Segarra