Ashanti is opening up about her labor experience, how motherhood has changed her, and parenting alongside her husband, Nelly.
RELATED: Issa Husband & Wife!? Nelly & Ashanti Are Reportedly Married
Ashanti Speaks On Her Labor Experience
The singer spoke exclusively with Entertainment Tonight in an audio interview published on Wednesday, August 21. During the interview, Ashanti opened up about giving birth to her first child, a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, on July 18.
“It was such an amazing, incredible feeling and experience,” Ashanti told the outlet. “…He came a little early, and dad had to fly in last minute — which was awesome.”
The singer explained that Nelly arrived for their son’s birth right “on time, which was incredible.”
“And just 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, you know, kind of having a vision of this moment for a long time,” she said.
Ashanti added that she always wanted to get married and have children but she never could’ve imagined she’d be experiencing this with her ex-boyfriend.
“But all of these emotions happening at one time, just knowing that this is your person, this is your purpose, this is what it’s supposed to be — the three of us together, when we were all able to hold each other, it was such an electrifying feeling, and it just validated all of that,” she explained.
The Singer Speaks On The Change Of Motherhood & Parenting Alongside Nelly As The Rapper Weighs In
Later in the interview, the singer spoke about how motherhood has changed her.
“It changed me to the extent that I am no longer in charge,” she said. “My son definitely dictates everything. Like, he is priority over all.”
The singer explained that she has a strong sense of selflessness, and she feels that she will do anything to give the world to her baby boy.
“It’s this overwhelming feeling of love and admiration and giving. Like, this little boy has my entire soul,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ashanti also opened up about parenting alongside Nelly, explaining that the experience has been “really hard to describe in words.” The singer then shared one experience when she and her son, “KK,” were in the hospital, and she was struggling to put him to sleep.
“And daddy comes in, and he’s like, ‘Alright, give him to me,’ and I swear he just starts singing, he sits down, and he’s singing and he’s cradling him… and now he’s smiling and quiet,” she recalled. “…It was such an amazing and incredible feeling… to watch just how comforting and gentle and how soothing he is with his son.”
According to E! News, Nelly shared a statement on August 21 about how it’s been parenting alongside Ashanti.
“Having kids is always a blessing,” he said. “And seeing how dope Ashanti is as a mother is awesome.”
More On Ashanti’s Recent Birth Announcement & Her Advice For Other Moms
As The Shade Room previously reported, Ashanti revealed the July birth of her and Nelly’s son on August 21. At the time, the singer also showed love to her body for ushering in this new chapter in her life.
“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! This is what postpartum looks like… I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, baby!” she wrote on Instagram.
Furthermore, during her recent interview, the singer also shared advice for other new and expecting mothers:
“I would say follow your gut instinct, keep strong no matter what the obstacles bring, your child absolutely feels your energy, and make sure the baby feels secure and safe. And you have to have space for you as well — don’t get too lost into the world of the baby,” she said. “…It’s really important to create a balance.”
