Noughties R&B legends Ashanti and Nelly secretly married last year

Two of the biggest names in R&B in the noughties have been keeping a big secret since last year, it’s been reported.

Awww Baby!

Ashanti has reportedly been legally rockin’ with fellow noughties R&B legend Nelly for nearly six months.

The couple secretly married on December 27, 2023, in St. Louis, Missouri – the rapper’s hometown, TMZ reported today.

Ashanti, born Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, and Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., are expecting their first child together.

Their reps did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.

Ashanti had hits like Foolish, What's Luv and Always On Time …

… while Nelly had chart-toppers like Hot In Herre,, Ride Wit Me and Over & Over.

Ashanti, 43, announced in April that she and the Hot in Herre hitmaker, 49, were engaged.

She also confirmed her pregnancy after months of speculation.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation,” she told Essence at the time.

“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.”

The happy couple are expecting their first child together.

Ashanti went on to post an Instagram video showing her mother asking if she was ready to go on stage for a performance.

“Imma need about nine months,” Ashanti replied as she showed her mother a positive pregnancy test.

The video ended with the words, “To be continued…”

The Foolish singer made sure to tag Nelly, and she captioned the post, “Baby baby baby baby…..”

The pair first met in 2003 at a Grammy Awards press conference.

Nelly and Ashanti in 2012, a year before they first broke up. Picture: Getty

After dating for a decade, they broke up in 2013, with Ashanti later explaining that the Dilemma chart-topper had “betrayed” her.

However, in April 2023, the musicians sparked reconciliation rumours while sitting ringside at a boxing match in Las Vegas.

After dating under the radar for several months, Nelly revealed in September 2023 that he and Ashanti were officially back together.

At the time, he admitted the re-coupling had “surprised” them “both.”

The rapper is already dad to daughter Chanelle Haynes, 30, and son Cornell Haynes III, 25, whom he shares with his ex-girlfriend Channetta Valentine.

Nelly also adopted his late sister’s two children – Shawn Thomas and Sydney Thomas – after she died of leukaemia in 2005.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.