Nelly Surprises Girlfriend Ashanti with Dazzling Diamond Jewelry for Her Birthday: See the Clip

The rapper spoiled Ashanti with a glittery necklace and watch as she turned 43

Ashanti and Nelly attend "The Wiz" Encores! Summer Stars Series Opening Night Party at K Lounge on June 18, 2009 in New York City.
Ashanti and Nelly in New York City in June 2009. Photo:

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Nelly pulled off a dazzling birthday surprise for girlfriend Ashanti.

In a pair of videos shared by The Shade Room, the "Ride Wit Me" rapper, 48, could be seen presenting Ashanti with not one but two pieces of stunning diamond jewelry as a group of friends looked on.

The clip first showed the singer-songwriter, who turned 43 on Friday, admiring a diamond chain necklace nestled inside a red box. "Oh, that's gorgeous," she gushed as a friend off-camera joked, "Where my glasses?"

Ashanti held her hand over her mouth, appearing completely awed by the extravagant gift. However, the birthday surprise wasn't over just. After Nelly stepped into the frame to give her a loving hug and a kiss, her second gift was revealed: a diamond-encrusted watch.

The Plus One star excitedly held up the new bling to show it off before turning and giving Nelly another big hug.

"I see — his and hers," an onlooker could be heard declaring, referring to Nelly's matching watch, prompting a laugh from the group.

Ashanti had someone quickly fasten the watch on her wrist before doing a little dance while her friends cheered and whistled.

Nelly also celebrated Ashanti's birthday by posting a sweet tribute to her on Instagram. Alongside a montage of photos and video clips of the couple, he wrote, "One time for the birthday girl…. Such a beautiful and incredible person inside and out and one of the hardest working women I know.."

"Enjoy your day Ma you look awesome!!!! Happy Birthday Love ya!!!!" he added.

In the comments section, Ashanti wrote to Nelly: "Awwwwww Thanku Big head!!!!!!!!🥰😘 love ya!!!!"

The day after her birthday, the Grammy winner posted a video thanking her friends and followers for all of the love and well-wishes on her special day.

"This year has been absolutely insanely incredible, and amazing. Which is partially why I’m posting a day late because I had to work last night lol," she wrote, sharing a video of herself in full glam while sitting in chair wearing a white bathrobe.

"I am truly grateful for so much. Nothing is better than having peace in all aspects of your life. It is a true blessing," she continued. "The world is a scary place right now… so I’m grateful to be able to create my own… and escape from it all. Thank you all again for the outpouring of love it truly means everything to me."

She concluded her message by revealing that she was heading off on a little vacation: "P.S see y’all from an island next week 🤣🤣🌴🌴☀️☀️."

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Recording Artists Nelly and Ashanti during Ashanti's surprise birthday dinner hosted by Nelly at STK on October 13, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Nelly and Ashanti celebrate her birthday in Atlanta in October 2012.

Rick Diamond/Getty

Nelly and Ashanti recently reunited after a previous relationship. The pair dated for 10 years between 2003 and 2013 before going their separate ways.

Rumors that they had rekindled their romance a decade later began swirling this past spring after the two performers were spotted out together several times. In May, they attended the 3rd Annual Birthday Ball for Quality Control CEO Pierre "P" Thomas in Atlanta, and in June, Nelly came out onstage during Ashanti's show at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The duo treated the crowd to a fun duet of their 2008 hit "Body on Me."

Last month, Nelly confirmed that he and Ashanti are back together during an appearance on the Boss Moves with Rasheeda show, saying the reconciliation "surprised both of us."

"It wasn't anything that we planned. We both were pretty much doing what we do,” he explained. “But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more. You could be like, 'Well yo, let me exactly see maybe what they see.' We all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we wrong but we going to stand on it, you know what I mean? But we all a victim to that."

Ashanti at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
Ashanti at the MTV VMAs in Newark on Sept. 12, 2023.

Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty

Ashanti, meanwhile, sent her own not-so-subtle hint that she and Nelly are a couple again, carrying a clutch bag with the "Over & Over" singer's face on it at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in September. At the event, she told PEOPLE she and Nelly are "in a great space."

"Everything is positive. [We're] having a lot of fun," she added.

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