Ashanti Adorably Surprises Nelly By Presenting Him With Award

Nelly got the surprise of a lifetime after his wife Ashanti presented him with one iHeartRadio's most prestigious honors —the iHeartRadio Landmark Award

On Monday night, March 17, the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards went down at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. During the show, Nelly performed a medley including several of his most beloved hit songs that span his career just before accepting the Landmark Award. At the very end of his performance, Ashanti surprised Nelly on stage by giving him the trophy. With a big smile, he accepted while they embraced in celebration.

The iHeartRadio Landmark Award honors artists whose album releases have inspired and shaped culture over multiple decades. Nelly made an explosive debut in 2000 with Country Grammar, an album that has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and set the foundation for his iconic career. He further solidified his superstar status with Nellyville (2002), featuring chart-topping hits like "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" with Kelly Rowland—songs that earned him two of his three Grammy Awards. With over 21 million albums sold in the U.S., globally, his total record sales, encompassing both albums and singles, have surpassed 75 million units. This double diamond-selling artist ranks among one of the best-selling rap artists of all time. This performance kicks off his "Where The Party At" worldwide tour.

It's been an incredible year for both Nelly and Ashanti. The happy couple rekindled their relationship and got married in December 2023. The "Baby" singer had been pregnant since December but didn't formally announce the news until last spring. Nelly and Ashanti welcomed their first child Kareem Kenkaide Haynes last July. She confirmed the news by posting photo of herself four weeks after the baby was born.

"Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol," she wrote at the time. "I’ve been waiting to be a mom for a long time now but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings!"

In addition to welcoming his new baby boy, Nelly is also preparing to hit the road for his upcoming "Where The Party At Tour" this year. Nelly will perform all his hits alongside other rap legends like Eve, Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri and more during the international tour. The show will begin overseas in New Zealand and Australia on March 21 before it moves on to Europe, Canada and The U.S.