Ashanti and Nelly are engaged and expecting a baby.

Congratulations to singer Ashanti and rapper Nelly.

He reunited couple They have made public both their pregnancy and their engagement. They shared the news exclusively with Essence magazine. who posted an announcement Wednesday on social media.

“This new year of my life is a blessing filled with love, hope and anticipation,” Ashanti, 43, said in a statement to the publication. “Motherhood is something I’ve been looking forward to and sharing this with my family, my fiancé and my loyal fans who have been so supportive of my career is an incredible experience.”

Ashanti was amused by the news. on your own verified Instagram accountwith a video in which she is seen preparing for a performance.

When her mother and manager Tina Y. Douglas asks her how much time she’s going to need in the clip, Ashanti jokes, “I’m going to need about nine months,” as her mother gasps and the screen shows a logo for Proov, a Home Fertility Test. and hormonal markers.

In a statement to CNN, the singer said: “As you know, I’m very close to my mom and dad, so I hope to be an amazing father to our son, like they were to me and my sister. Nelly and I’m very excited to welcome and love Baby Haynes. (Nelly’s real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.)

Ashanti and Nelly, 49, confirmed in September that they reunited as a couple, 20 years after they were first linked in a relationship that ended after a decade.

During an interview with E! News At the event, Ashanti said she thought the bag was “cute” and was asked if she and the “Hot in Here” star were in a relationship again.

After laughing a little, she sheepishly replied, “I mean…yeah.”

Nelly also got candid during an appearance with “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost on their show “Boss Moves with Rasheeda” last fall.

CNN has reached out to representatives for Nelly for additional comment.