Ashanti Surprises Husband Nelly With Landmark Award At 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards

Rapper Nelly received the Landmark Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 17 ahead of the 25th anniversary of his debut album “Country Grammar,” according to People. Nelly performed some of his biggest hits, including “Ride Wit Me” and “Hot in Herre.”

Before hitting the stage, Nelly’s wife and Grammy-winning singer Ashanti presented him with the Landmark Award — which took him by surprise since Ashanti told him she was running to the ladies room a few moments before the special moment.

“Back in the day, when people thought about rap, they thought about the east and west coast, but in 2000 a rapper emerged out of St. Louis who would change the game forever and put the Midwest on the map. That rapper was Nelly,” Ashanti told the audience, according to People. “This year marks the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking album, ‘Country Grammar.’ It topped the charge for six consecutive weeks and became one of the best selling Hip Hop records of all time, and sold over 10 million albums units.”

“I’m so proud to honor ‘Country Grammar’ and the talented guy who made it — my soulmate, my husband, Nelly, with the iHeart Radio Landmark Award,” she added.

Ashanti Hinted At Baby No. 2 With Husband Nelly

In July 2024, Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their first baby together: a boy named Kareem Kenkaide “KK” Haynes. Less than a year later, the R&B songstress said she’s already ready for another baby!

“I am feeling amazing, incredibly pleased, humbled,” Ashanti told E! News in February 2025. “My life has completely changed for the better. I feel full, you know? My cup is full.”

“We’re going to add some more,” she added. “Definitely a girl to balance it out. I’m outnumbered in the house right now. So, a girl would be great.”

Ashanti Describes Motherhood As ‘New Chapter’ In Life

In a March 2025 interview with Revolt, Ashanti opened up about shifting priorities after becoming a mom.

“This is a new chapter for me. Family first — being married and having a child,” she told Revolt. “My mind is thinking bigger and better and more out of the box, obviously.”

Right now, Ashanti is preparing for the Bring It Tour, which kicks off on April 8, 2025. She will trek across the UK and Ireland with Sean Paul and Fat Joe. The upcoming tour will mark her first as a mom.

“Obviously, we need extra hands,” she told Revolt about bringing her baby on the road with her.

“There’s definitely going to be extra bags,” she joked, “because I already travel with too much luggage.”