Yesterday (June 19) it was announced by TMZ that Nelly secretly got married to American singer Ashanti over six months ago.
The stars are expecting their first child together later this year and according to documents, Ashanti, 43, and Nelly, 49, tied the knot back on December 27, 2023. The couple had previously announced their engagement and pregnancy with their first child but kept their wedding a secret.
Earlier this week, Ashanti shared with Entertainment Tonight details about the proposal and her dream wedding ideas.
Describing the moment the rapper proposed, Ashanti said it was a “beautiful, intimate moment” at home. She joked about her outfit at the time, showing she was not expecting it at all.
“I definitely had one of his T-shirts and his boxers,” she said.
In May, Ashanti celebrated her first Mother’s Day as an expecting mother, sharing the festivities on Instagram. In the photos, she posed with Nelly and other family members, cradling her bump and smiling.
“This Mother’s Day was so special,” Ashanti captioned the post. “Having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing. Wishing all of the amazing Moms and Moms to be a beautiful Mother’s Day…!!!! 😆😆😆😆❤️🙏🏽🥳 #grateful 🙏🏽🥰”
She added: “Yeah yeah I know I’m late… it was so much food I got distracted 🤣🤣 Ps… I only had 1 plate tho 🤣🤣👀”
The couple first began dating in the early 2000s before breaking up in 2013. They rekindled their relationship after another 10 years in 2023, announcing their engagement and pregnancy nearly one year later.
“I think it surprised both of us,” the “Hot in Herre” hitmaker said on the Boss Moves with Rasheeda show streaming on Philo in September.
In her April 2024 announcement that the two were expecting their first baby together, Ashanti emphasized the changes in her life in an interview with Essence.
“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she told the outlet. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to.”
The “Foolish” singer also subtly confirmed the pair’s engagement when she referred to Nelly as her “fiancé.”
Nelly has sold 27 million albums in the US alone and Ashanti has sold 30 million records worldwide. Additionally, last year Nelly sold a portion of his catalog to Harbourview Private Equity for $50 million dollars and the power couple who have both been in the industry for over 2 decades have serval Billboard hits and 7 billion Spotify streams.
Let’s take a look at their top 10 songs on Spotify.
Ashanti’s Top songs on Spotify:
10. Unfoolish
With 96.6 million streams, “Unfoolish” is a remix of Ashanti’s hit single “Foolish,” featuring a posthumous verse from The Notorious B.I.G. The song was well-received, maintaining the success of the original track and adding a fresh twist that resonated with fans of both artists.
9. Wonderful (feat. Ashanti)
“Wonderful,” featuring Ashanti along with Ja Rule and R. Kelly, has 101,343,763 streams. Released in 2004, the song was a major hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It showcased Ashanti’s smooth vocals and her ability to collaborate effectively with other top artists in the industry.
8. Into You (feat. Ashanti)
With 101,357,568 streams, “Into You” features Ashanti alongside Fabolous. Released in 2003, the song became a significant hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Ashanti’s soulful voice added a romantic touch to the track, making it a favorite among fans of R&B and hip-hop.
7. Body On Me
“Body On Me,” featuring Nelly and Akon, has 103,009,247 streams. Released in 2008, the song was a moderate success, charting internationally and peaking at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. The collaboration highlighted Ashanti’s versatility and ability to create catchy, danceable tracks.
6. Baby (feat. Ashanti)
With 111,615,292 streams, “Baby” is one of Ashanti’s beloved singles from her debut album. Released in 2002, the song peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its heartfelt lyrics and smooth melody made it a standout track, further establishing Ashanti as a leading R&B artist.
5. Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
“Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)” has 152,634,210 streams and is one of Ashanti’s signature songs. Released in 2003, the track peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a summer anthem. Its infectious hook and Ashanti’s sultry vocals made it a favorite among fans and a staple in her live performances.
4. Mesmerize (feat. Ashanti)
With 272,090,462 streams, “Mesmerize” features Ashanti alongside Ja Rule. Released in 2002, the song was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The duo’s undeniable chemistry and the catchy, laid-back vibe of the track made it a standout hit.
3. Foolish
“Foolish,” with 357,831,319 streams, is Ashanti’s debut single and one of her most successful songs. Released in 2002, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks and earned Ashanti a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The song’s soulful melody and relatable lyrics about love and heartbreak resonated with a wide audience, solidifying Ashanti’s place in music history.
2. What’s Luv? (feat. Ja Rule & Ashanti)
“What’s Luv?,” featuring Ashanti and Fat Joe, has 416,024,239 streams. Released in 2002, the song was a massive hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Ashanti’s catchy chorus and the infectious beat made it a favorite at parties and a staple on radio stations, showcasing her ability to create timeless hits.
1. Always On Time
Topping the list with 420,568,796 streams, “Always On Time” is a collaboration between Ashanti and Ja Rule. Released in 2001, the song became a defining hit of the early 2000s, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (2 weeks). Ashanti’s smooth vocals and Ja Rule’s gritty rap verses created a perfect blend, making “Always On Time” a classic track that remains popular to this day.
Nelly’s top songs on Spotify:
10. Shake Ya Tailfeather – Radio Edit
With 140,931,117 streams, “Shake Ya Tailfeather” is one of Nelly’s iconic collaborations, featuring Murphy Lee and P. Diddy. The song, which was part of the “Bad Boys II” soundtrack, became a summer anthem upon its release in 2003. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, earning Nelly and his collaborators a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2004.
9. Nasty Girl
“Nasty Girl,” with 193,699,324 streams, showcases Nelly’s versatility as he collaborates with The Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, Jagged Edge, and Avery Storm. Released posthumously as a tribute to Biggie, the track became a significant hit, reaching the top ten in various international charts and demonstrating Nelly’s ability to blend seamlessly with diverse artists.
8. Where the Party At (feat. Nelly)
This Jagged Edge hit, featuring Nelly, has garnered 196,237,194 streams. “Where the Party At” was a major success in the early 2000s, becoming a staple party anthem. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a massive hit on the R&B charts, cementing Nelly’s status as a versatile feature artist.
7. The Fix (feat. Jeremih)
With 228,240,134 streams, “The Fix” features Nelly collaborating with Jeremih. Released in 2015, the song samples Marvin Gaye’s classic “Sexual Healing” and blends smooth R&B with hip-hop. “The Fix” enjoyed moderate chart success and showcased Nelly’s ability to adapt to contemporary sounds while maintaining his unique style.
6. Country Grammar (Hot Shit)
“Country Grammar (Hot Shit)” has 249,485,617 streams and is the title track from Nelly’s debut album. Released in 2000, the song was a breakthrough hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and driving the album to multi-platinum status. Its infectious hook and catchy beat made it a defining track of early 2000s hip-hop.
5. Lil Bit (feat. Florida Georgia Line)
With 251,223,703 streams, “Lil Bit” is a crossover hit featuring country duo Florida Georgia Line. Released in 2020, the song blends hip-hop and country elements, continuing Nelly’s exploration of genre fusion. “Lil Bit” has performed well on both country and pop charts, showcasing Nelly’s broad appeal.
4. Just A Dream
“Just A Dream,” with 498,264,417 streams, is one of Nelly’s biggest solo hits. Released in 2010, the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an international success. Its introspective lyrics and catchy melody resonated with a wide audience, reaffirming Nelly’s staying power in the music industry.
3. Hot In Herre
With 534,010,399 streams, “Hot In Herre” is one of Nelly’s most iconic songs. Released in 2002, it became a summer anthem and earned Nelly a Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a staple at parties and events, known for its infectious beat and memorable lyrics.
2. Ride Wit Me
“Ride Wit Me” has garnered 584,404,688 streams and is a classic from Nelly’s debut album. Released in 2001, the song features City Spud and became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its laid-back vibe and catchy chorus made it a favorite among fans and solidified Nelly’s position as a leading artist in hip-hop.
1. Dilemma
Topping the list with 861,082,756 streams, “Dilemma” is Nelly’s most-streamed song on Spotify. Featuring Kelly Rowland, the track was a massive hit in 2002, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The song’s timeless appeal and emotional depth have ensured its enduring popularity.
