Exclusive: Nelly's New Tradition with Ashanti and 17-Month-Old Son

Nelly and Ashanti: A Holiday Tradition of Love and Togetherness

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, love, and cherished traditions. For rapper Nelly, it's also a time to spend quality moments with his wife, Ashanti. Recently, the musician shared with a special audience how he plans to celebrate the festive season with his partner before taking the stage at iHeartRadio's JingleBall 2025 concert in New York City on December 12.

Nelly has always believed in keeping things simple yet meaningful. He expressed that, "Ashanti and I haven't been married that long, so our tradition is just being together." Both have busy schedules, but the holidays offer them a chance to enjoy each other's company. "Obviously she's in the business as well, as I'm in the business, so sometimes we could be pulled in different directions," he explained. "So I think that's the first tradition that we're establishing, is making sure that we're there for the holidays."

Beyond his personal life, Nelly has also made a name for himself as a philanthropist. For over two decades, he has given back to his community in Saint Louis during the holiday season. His efforts include organizing events that bring people together, raise money, and support local students.

One of his most notable contributions is the Black and White Ball, an event he has hosted with his city for over 20 years. "It's where we come together, we raise money, we give scholarships to needy students and people in my city," Nelly said. "And it's the best party of the year because it brings Saint Louis together from all over. And this year we're giving away two scholarships to the only HBCU in Saint Louis. Shout out to Harris Stowe State College, and [to be] continued."

Nelly and Ashanti have a long history that dates back to 2003 when they met at the Grammy Awards' press conference. Their relationship had its ups and downs, including a brief breakup in 2013. However, their bond eventually brought them back together, leading to their marriage in December 2023 and the birth of their first child, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, in July 2024.

Their journey has been marked by several public appearances and collaborations. In 2021, they reunited for a Verzuz battle, and later performed together at the Under the Mistletoe concert. Their rekindled romance was confirmed in September 2023, and they continued to show their affection through social media posts and events.

In October 2024, Nelly gifted Ashanti a diamond necklace for her birthday, expressing his admiration for her. "One time for the birthday girl. Such a beautiful, incredible person inside and out and one of the hardest working women," he wrote. The following month, Ashanti surprised Nelly with a birthday party, and by December, the couple secretly tied the knot.

In February 2024, they collaborated on a song titled "This Lil' Game We Play," and in June, Nelly surprised Ashanti with a baby shower before their son was born. Ashanti shared her experiences of motherhood on Instagram, highlighting the challenges and joys of postpartum life. "I'm so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, baby," she wrote.

In March 2025, Ashanti presented Nelly with the Landmark Award during the iHeartRadio Music Awards. She introduced him as her soulmate and husband, celebrating his contributions to music and their shared journey. As the holiday season approaches, Nelly and Ashanti continue to cherish their time together, building new traditions while honoring their past.