In the middle of his tour with Janet Jackson, Billboard chart topping artist Nelly, 49, took time out to throw a surprise baby shower for his wife Ashanti, 43 on Sunday, June 30.
In the sweet surprise, Ashanti was escorted by Nelly and other members of his crew and as they exited the elevator Dolce & Gabbana baby boutique in New York City, family members including their matchmaker Fat Joe, caught Ashanti off-guard when they shouted surprise!
Nelly recalled the famous moment when he and Ashanti rekindled their relationship after being separated for 10 years at the Verzuz battle between Ja Rule and Fat Joe.
“I said huh oh it might be sumn in here tonight but I didn’t want it to feel uncomfortable, I said they were having a great time and I said their was tension in the building, and I said let me break the ice so I went over,” the Hot In Herre artist said jokingly. “What everybody miss is they say that n*gga making a b-line but they didn’t see that nice rub on my back.” Which elicited loud laughter from Ashanti.
Ashanti’s father also recalled the moment Nelly called him and asked for permission to marry his daughter.
“We had a little brief conversion, for me its very special for a man in this era too ask for someone’s hand, especially you daughter and I was very impressed with the fact that you asked, that was good.”
Dressed in a stunning white and yellow belly-baring ensemble, the mom-to-be covered her face with her hands, smiling and laughing as she hugged her loved ones.
A caption on the footage revealed that the party was held at a, and that Nelly was the mastermind behind the surprise.
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Fat Joe posted a photo on Instagram of himself posing with the expectant parents and his wife at the event, in front of a bright white and yellow balloon display.
For the occasion, Nelly opted for a sleek all-black look, while Fat Joe — whose real name is Joseph Cartagena — wore a patterned shirt with dark pants, and Lorena rocked a pink mini dress with a seashell-inspired print.
“Today we had a Baby Shower, I love you my sister I’m sooooooo happy for y’all guys GOD IS GREAT @ashanti @nelly @lolamilan1,” Fat Joe captioned his Instagram post.
The baby on the way will be the first for Ashanti, while the “Hot in Herre” artist is already a dad to four adult kids, including his late sister’s two children whom he adopted after her death.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti reflected on how she felt when she learned she was going to be a mom for the first time.
“I was so shocked and happy and emotional,” the “Rain on Me” singer recalled. “I always dreamed about it. I wanted it so, so bad, and I just feel like the timing was perfect.”
Ashanti also said she is “excited about seeing this little human version of myself and the person that I love so much be here.”
“I’m really looking forward to having an extension of both of us be with us and watching that spirit grow. It’s an amazing thing,” she added.
