ATLANTA — Hip-hop icon Nelly celebrated his 51st birthday in grand style over the weekend with a surprise dinner party organised by his wife, Ashanti, at the exclusive Lo Kee Restaurant in Atlanta. The intimate yet glamorous affair drew a small circle of celebrity friends, including Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri, for a night filled with music, laughter, and love.
According to Page Six, Ashanti went all out to make the night unforgettable, transforming the upscale Asian fusion venue into a warm, candlelit celebration for about 50 guests. The private room featured a curated menu that included Beijing chicken, rock shrimp tempura, chicken satay, and salt and pepper prawns — a nod to the couple’s shared love for fine dining.
The birthday pair arrived around 10:30 p.m., with Nelly all smiles as Ashanti serenaded him with a soulful rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The celebration continued until 1:30 a.m., ending on a high note with a World Series watch party, where guests cheered as the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Later in the evening, Nelly and Ashanti were spotted in coordinated Halloween costumes, adding a playful twist to the festivities.
The celebration was more than just a birthday party — it was a reflection of the couple’s enduring love story. Nelly and Ashanti quietly tied the knot in December 2023 in Nelly’s hometown of St. Louis, marking a full-circle moment after rekindling their romance earlier that year.
Their relationship, which first blossomed in 2003 before ending in 2013, reignited in April 2023 when they were spotted holding hands in Las Vegas. Since then, the pair have welcomed their first child together, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, born in July 2024. Kareem joins Nelly’s two adult children, Chanelle (31) and Cornell Haynes III (26), from a previous relationship with Channetta Valentine.
In September, Nelly celebrated Ashanti’s birthday with a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing:
“Happy Birthday to the most beautiful and amazing woman in this world. Marrying you wasn’t just finding love — it was finding home. Love you, mama.”
For the couple, whose journey has spanned over two decades of music, love, and personal growth, Saturday’s celebration was yet another reminder that some stories — much like classic hip-hop — only get better with time.
Source: AllHipHop.com
