Nelly Praises Ashanti After Giving Birth To Her First Child

US rapper Nelly (L) and US singer-songwriter Ashanti arrive for the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2024. This year's award, which is named to honor one of the world's greatest humorists, honors US actor and comedian Kevin Hart.
US rapper Nelly (L) and US singer-songwriter Ashanti arrive for the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2024. This year’s award, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists, honors US actor and comedian Kevin Hart. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nelly show love to his fiancé, Ashanti, after she welcomed her first child.

“Having kids is always a blessing,” Nelly told E! News in an Aug. 21 statement, “And seeing how dope Ashanti is as a mother is awesome.”

Ashanti revealed that she gave birth to her baby boy and named him, Kenkaide after her dad. “[That] is my dad’s name,” Ashanti told Entertainment Tonight on Aug. 21. “And obviously my dad has only girls, you know, so Nelly was just like, ‘I think that would be really, really dope. And this was all his idea.”

We previously reported that Ashanti showed off her postpartum body via Instagram. “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!”

The post continued: “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, baby.”

Ashanti reportedly gave birth four weeks ago. “Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, on July 18, 2024. The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!” a rep for the couple tells PEOPLE.

In a previous interview Ashanti reflected on her pregnancy. “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation,” Ashanti told Essence Magazine. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”

Congratulations to the beautiful couple.