Who Are Nelly’s Kids? Learn About All His Children, from Shawn to Kareem Haynes

As a dedicated follower of Nelly’s life, I must say that he is truly a family man at heart. His journey, marked by loss and love, is a testament to his resilience and compassion. Adopting his late sister’s children after her tragic demise speaks volumes about his character. He has not only provided them with a stable home but also instilled in them the values of family and unity.


Apart from thriving in her professional life within the music industry, Nelly is equally blessed with a vibrant family setup, which includes being a parent to two wonderful children: Chanelle and Cornell. Notably, Nelly shares these two kids with his former partner, Channetta Valentine.

Beyond this, it’s worth noting that the rapper took on the role of parenting his late sister Jackie Donahue’s kids, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, whom he adopted following her tragic death from leukemia in 2005.

This year finds the singer, who shares a son named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes with his spouse Ashanti, quite occupied as he takes on the role of raising his youngest child. To get a comprehensive understanding of Nelly’s family life and his other four children, look no further – here’s all you need to know about the offspring of this renowned singer.

Shawn Thomas

In 2005, when Shawn, affectionately known as ‘Lil Shawn’, was only eight years old, his biological mother, Jackie, sadly passed away. It was at this time that Nelly took him under his wing and became his adoptive father, as reported by People magazine.

During his appearance on The Tamron Hall Show in 2020, the rapper expressed gratitude towards his extended family for their support during challenging periods of grief and familial transitions. He stated, “I owe everything to Jackie’s mother and my other family members, as well as my brother.” Furthermore, he mentioned, “Although I shouldered most of the financial burden and had to exercise a great deal of self-discipline when needed, I couldn’t have done it without their help.

Shawn was featured on the 2014 reality series called “Nellyville,” which centered around Nelly’s family, including his ex-girlfriend, Shantel Jackson. The show highlighted their family dynamics and the rapper’s life as a parent and his career progression within the music industry.

Apart from being known for his work, Shawn is said to have ventured into making his own music and is now focusing on his personal life as he takes care of his own family. Together with his partner, Kristia, they welcomed their daughter, Mahalia, in the year 2020.

Chanelle Haynes

In 1994, the musician known as the Air Force Ones rapper and his ex-partner, Valentine, became parents to a girl they named Chanelle. It is said that she is often referred to as ‘Nana,’ which is her affectionate nickname.

At times, a 30-year-old woman can be spotted accompanying her father at various gatherings. In the first season of Nellyville, it became clear that she was pursuing a business degree at Columbia College in Chicago. Following her college years, much like Nelly, she too delved into the world of music.

In 2020, she unveiled a fresh track. Beyond this, she also contributes her writing skills to her father’s record label, Derrty Entertainment. On the Tamron Hall Show, when her dad made an appearance, he mentioned her, stating “She’s just like me, always busy,” and continued by saying “She’s grown now, focusing on her music, and she’s about to launch a radio show soon as well.” According to People magazine, she is a mother to a son named Ace, and frequently posts updates about him on Instagram.

Sydney Thomas

Following the death of his sister, Nelly took in a young girl named Sydney, affectionately known as ‘Stink.’ During an interview on The Tamron Hall Show, Nelly discussed how he and his children support each other through their healing process.

He asserted that they help one another, mold themselves, and aid in shaping each other. But these kids were instrumental in his upbringing as much as he was in theirs, he claimed. The rapper stated that he wouldn’t be who he is without them and the genuine “spirit of love” they shared.

It’s said that Sydney is a mom to a boy named Cross. In addition, she made an appearance on the 2014 reality series titled “Nellyville.

Cornell Iral ‘Tre’ Haynes III

Born in 1999, Cornell is the second offspring of Nelly and their former partner, Valentine. Much like his elder sister, Chanelle, he too has made frequent public appearances alongside his father.

From a young age, it seems like sports held a special place in his heart, with Cornell starting organized football at the tender age of six, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Furthermore, he continued to play football on the varsity team during his time at Christian Brothers College High School.

2015 saw the Hot In Herre singer appear on The Real talk show. During this appearance, he disclosed that he and Chris Cornell had a close bond, saying they could be considered friends, and mentioned that they shared a fondness for similar footwear. He also humorously added that sometimes Cornell’s fashion choices were a bit extreme, and his nephew (Shawn) was not immune to this trend. On occasion, the singer admitted, he would even borrow hats from their rooms.

The rapper stated, “We share similar topics in our discussions and have similar tastes in music, albeit they occasionally veer too far.

It’s important to allow young people the freedom to explore their youth, including making their own mistakes, while also providing guidance.

Kareem Kenkaide Haynes

This summer in July, the rapper and his wife, Ashanti, became first-time parents to a baby boy named KK. According to their spokesperson, they are overjoyed and deeply in love with their new addition. They shared this news with People magazine.

During a chat with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti shared the story behind her son’s unique middle name – Kenkaide. She explained that this name was chosen in honor of her father, as he only had daughters and Nelly suggested naming their child after him.

She referred to him as her “twin” and explained how her young son had managed to capture the whole essence of her being with his tiny hands. (or)

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2024-11-07 20:39