Nelly and Ashanti announce they've welcomed their first child together

Nelly and Ashanti's baby is finally here!

The music stars, who secretly married in December after first dating in the early 2000s, confirmed the news in a statement to People, revealing they have welcomed a son named Kareem.

The statement confirmed baby Kareem arrived last month on July 18.

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"Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, on July 18, 2024," the statement to People read.

"The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!"

It comes after Ashanti, who is known for singing on hits including What's Luv? and Always on Time, shared a picture of herself on Instagram saying she was "so proud" of her body for carrying their child.

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"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!" she wrote.

"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. 😆."

In a short clip, she added: "Four weeks post-partum. You have no idea what this body can do."

It's the first child for the pair, but Nelly has two adult children from a previous relationship. He also adopted and raised his sister's two children after she died of leukemia in 2005.

Four months ago, the couple shared their pregnancy and engagement news to Essence magazine. People confirmed their marriage just two months ago.

Nelly and Ashanti's love story goes back to the early 2000s, when the artists dated for years before splitting in 2013.

A decade later, in 2023, they thrilled fans with news they had reconciled.

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