Ashanti is expecting her first child with her fiancé, Nelly.
Ashanti got some special love from her friend and longtime collaborator, Lloyd, before she begins maternity leave!
Over the weekend, the songstress took the stage for her final show, before she begins maternity leave -- ahead of welcoming her baby with Nelly --- at the Tacos & Tequila Festival in Kansas City, Kansas. During her set, Ashanti was shocked as the prepared to sing one song, and was greeted by Lloyd, who came out and sang their hit single, "Southside."
In a video shared across social media, the mommy-to-be audibly screams when her friend comes onstage. As Lloyd begins his verse, he caresses his pal's baby bump before she sings along.
After singing the song, Lloyd makes sure that the crowd sends Ashanti well-wishes before her extended absence from the stage.
"This is gonna be Ashanti's last show before she goes on maternity leave," Llyod tells the crowd.
"I did not want to miss this show, because I'm gonna miss you so much on the road," he tells her. "Everybody out here needs to know that you changed my life and I love you so much and I'm praying for you, I hope you have a safe delivery."
Lloyd then turns his attention the crowd and ask them to yell, "Good luck, Mommy."
Last month, Lloyd joined Ashanti onstage, where he serenaded her baby bump. Following the performance, the "Get It Shawty" singer took to Instagram to pen a sweet message to "Baby Hayes."
"Dear Baby Haynes, you are surrounded by love, by good energy, and by ppl who have prayed for your piece of mind way before you were born," he wrote. "One day I will tell you of the times I got to sing to you while still in your mothers belly, of how your mommy changed my life, and of how your dad was there for me when I needed a little love and guidance. Can’t wait to meet you and make you laugh. Inshallah, Your Uncle Ladi ♾️🪬❤️👼🏾📸: @treylens .. 🤘🏿: @shariftours."
In April, Ashanti revealed that she and her longtime love, Nelly -- whom she rekindled her romance with in 2023 -- were engaged and expecting their first child together. After making the announcement via Instagram that she and Nelly, 49, would welcomed their child, Ashanti shared the news with Essence magazine.
"This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. 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," she told the outlet.
Since making the announcement, the "Baby" singer has not been shy about showing off her baby bump onstage and on social media.
In honor of Mother's Day, Ashanti took to Instagram to pose with Nelly and show off her baby bump.
"This Mother’s Day was so special… having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing," she wrote next to the carousel of photos featuring her, Nelly and their family. "Wishing all of the amazing Moms and Moms to be a beautiful Mother’s Day/ Pre Mothers Day!!!!! 😆😆😆😆❤️🙏🏽🥳 #grateful 🙏🏽🥰 yeah yeah I know I’m late… it was so much food I got distracted 🤣🤣 Ps… I only had 1 plate tho 🤣🤣👀."
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