Nelly and his wife Ashanti have finally welcomed their first child together, a son called Kareem Kenkaide Haynes. While news only just broke of the baby's birth, it turns out they had the little one last month.
"This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation," Ashanti told the Essence about her relationship with Nelly. "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."
While Ashanti may be a first-time mom, Nelly has four other children, Shawn Thomas, Sydney Thomas, Chanelle Hayes, and Cornell Hayes.
The renowned "Dilemma" singer, deeply values his role as a father, particularly evident in his relationship with his children.
Born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., Nelly first became a father with the birth of his daughter Chanelle in 1994 and his son Cornell in 1999, both from his relationship with Channetta Valentine.
His family dynamics took a poignant turn in 2005 when he adopted his late sister Jackie Donahue's children, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, following her tragic passing from leukemia.
The family's journey was publicly shared in the 2014 BET reality TV show "Nellyville," featuring Nelly’s then-girlfriend Shantel Jackson. The series offered an insight into their blended family life, showcasing each child's individual passions and Nelly's efforts to balance his career with fatherhood.
In a 2021 interview with People, Nelly opened up about the challenges and rewards of being a single father. He spoke candidly about his role, emphasizing that while he wasn't there every day, he made significant efforts to be present for key moments in his children's lives.
Reflecting on his sister’s death, he shared, “As bad as I felt, I can’t imagine what Sydney and Shawn were going through. It was a no-brainer to help raise them. That’s what family's there for."
Meet Nelly's kids below...
Shawn Thomas
Nelly adopted Shawn, affectionately known as Lil' Shawn, at the age of 8. On the Tamron Hall show in September 2020, Nelly expressed his gratitude for the support of his family during that period of transition and grief.
Shawn, who appeared in "Nellyville" and has dabbled in music, has shifted his focus to his growing family, welcoming his daughter Mahalia with his girlfriend Kristia in July 2020.
Chanelle Hayes
Chanelle Haynes, born in 1994, has been seen at various events with Nelly, including his Black & White Ball in 2009.
Following her business studies in Chicago, she pursued music and writes for Derrty Entertainment, her father's record label. On her birthday in February 2021, Nelly posted a heartfelt throwback photo, celebrating his "first born Daddy’s girl."
Sydney Thomas
Sydney, also known as "Stink," was adopted after her mother's passing. Nelly spoke about the mutual support and growth they experienced together, saying on the Tamron Hall show, “We pick up the pieces, we mold each other, and we help shape each other. But those kids helped raise me as much as I helped raise them."
Cornell Haynes
Cornell Iral Haynes III, Nelly’s youngest child, shares his name with his father and grandfather. A sports enthusiast, he played varsity football in high school and has been described by Nelly as a respectful young man with a strong family bond. Chanelle expressed her pride in her younger brother on his 24th birthday in March 2023, calling him an inspiration and highlighting his creative pursuits as a producer.
Kareem Kenkaide Haynes
Ashanti and Nelly welcomed Kareem Kenkaide Haynes on July 18, 2024 — already nicknamed KK. According to the singer, Nelly was the one who named him "with a lot of pride." While 'Kenkaide' was a tribute to Ashanti's father's name, Kareem reportedly means "generous, kind and dignified."
The "Only U" singer gave birth early, which meant that Nelly flew in last minute in order to be there: "Having all of us in the delivery room and seeing his face for the first time, I cried it was just so emotional and spiritual at the same time," she told ET: "Having a vision of this moment for so long...it was such an electrifying feeling."