Nelly and Ashanti open up about 50 Cent’s public apology to her [VIDEO]
How Nelly Got 50 Cent to Apologize to Ashanti: A Deep Dive into a Hip Hop Power Couple’s Candid Reveal
In a rare and revealing sit-down on the Joe and Jada podcast, hosted by Fat Joe and Jadakiss, Nelly and Ashanti offered fans an intimate glimpse into their lives—both past and present. While the couple touched on their music careers, new family life, and business ventures, it was a powerful story about Nelly making 50 Cent apologize to Ashanti that captured everyone’s attention. This wasn’t a retelling of industry beef—it was a personal tale, told firsthand, from two people who lived it.
The Setting: Joe and Jada Podcast’s Viral Energy
The Joe and Jada podcast has become a cultural hotspot, bringing together iconic voices in hip hop for unfiltered conversations. This episode, produced by The Volume and Roc Nation, featured the newly married Nelly and Ashanti. With over 91,000 views in just hours, fans flooded the comments, celebrating the chemistry between the guests and hosts alike.
Joe’s easy rapport and Jada’s grounded insights created the perfect environment for storytelling. With Nelly and Ashanti perched comfortably on the couch, they opened up like never before. Therefore, offering humor, depth, and moments of raw emotion.
Ashanti’s Rise and the Moment That Shocked Everyone
Fat Joe recalled a defining moment from the early 2000s: the day Ashanti learned her self-titled debut album had sold over 500,000 copies in its first week. “We jumped up and down in the street like the Wizard of Oz,” Joe remembered. Ashanti, still processing her rapid rise at the time, had asked innocently, “Is that a good number?” That debut album would go on to be triple platinum.
Her response was the essence of humility, despite the historic success. Today, she remains one of the most enduring female voices in R&B, with accolades including a Grammy Award, multiple Billboard Awards, and platinum albums like Chapter II and Concrete Rose.
The Relationship: A Public Love Story Rekindled
Nelly and Ashanti famously dated in the early 2000s, split in 2013, and reunited a decade later in 2023. Secretly married in December of that year, the couple welcomed their son, Kareem “KK” Haynes, in July 2024.
In the interview, Ashanti spoke about the challenges and beauty of filming their Peacock reality series Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together. “It was different,” she admitted. “We just got married, I had a baby… we had to find time for the cameras.” Nelly emphasized that the show wasn’t just about spectacle—it was about giving viewers access to their real lives, showing them as parents, professionals, and partners.
A Studio Story Turned Industry Legend
As the conversation unfolded, Fat Joe shared how he met Ashanti during her studio days. “She was in there all the time, just grinding,” he recalled, mentioning a day when her car radio was stolen and how upset she was. That passion, he said, translated into her music. When Joe gave her a shot to write a hook for Big Pun, she delivered—and never looked back. “She smoked that joint,” Joe said proudly. “Then we did ‘What’s Luv?’ and the rest is history.”
The Story Everyone’s Talking About: 50 Cent and the Apology
Then came the moment that’s now dominating hip hop headlines: Nelly recounting how he got 50 Cent to apologize to Ashanti.
The tension stemmed from comments 50 Cent had made years earlier, which left Ashanti feeling disrespected. Fat Joe, who had been in a public feud with 50, remembered how real it got. “You were the only one out of all the rappers who stood up and said you had my back,” Joe said to Nelly.
Nelly went on to describe the unforgettable moment backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards. With G-Unit at the next table and tensions high, Nelly—drunk and amped up—asked Ashanti if she wanted him to confront 50 Cent. “Yeah, babe,” she replied without hesitation. “That’s a New York girl,” Joe added, laughing.
Nelly approached 50 Cent and, to his surprise, the exchange was calm. “Do me a favor, man—apologize to her,” Nelly said. 50 Cent didn’t hesitate. “Ashanti, I’m sorry,” he responded, in front of the entire crowd.
What fans didn’t know until now was how many times Nelly had advocated for Ashanti behind the scenes. “I had 20 meetings with him over you,” he told her. “She got nothing to do with that. She’s my sister.”
This wasn’t just about clearing the air—it was about respect, love, and accountability. For fans, it showed a side of Nelly that’s often overlooked in the headlines.
A Competitive but Loving Household
Their banter throughout the interview showcased just how playful—and competitive—the couple can be. Nelly listed their accolades with a grin: his three Grammys and 21 million albums sold; her Billboard Awards and multiple platinum albums. Ashanti laughed as they compared numbers, joking about how she still throws the 500,000 first-week sales of her debut album into the conversation.
“You got to keep the scoreboard somewhere,” Nelly joked. But beneath the laughs, there’s real admiration. “We’re proud of each other,” Ashanti said. “It’s competitive, but it’s love.”
Final Thoughts: Building Legacy Together
This Joe and Jada episode wasn’t just nostalgic—it was deeply current. It reminded fans that Nelly and Ashanti aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving, both individually and as a couple.
Their story is about more than rekindled romance. It’s about evolution. From Ashanti’s rise as a studio regular to an R&B powerhouse, and Nelly’s transformation from platinum rapper to strategic businessman, their journeys prove that success isn’t about one moment—it’s about consistency, humility, and real love.
Their openness about parenting, respect, and doing the right thing—like Nelly making 50 Cent apologize—shows a different kind of strength. It’s not bravado. It’s protection, support, and standing on principle.
As their reality show continues to unfold on Peacock and more behind-the-scenes stories come to light, one thing is clear: Nelly and Ashanti’s story is far from over. They’re writing it together—one episode, one song, and one powerful moment at a time.