Nelly and Ashanti: A Look Back at Their 2003 Love Story with 20 Throwback Photos

2003

Nelly and Ashanti in 2003

Superstars Nelly and Ashanti first met at a 2003 Grammys press conference. The rapper even asked for the singer’s autograph — but not her number.

“For the record, it took him a long time to get my number,” she said on an episode of VH1’s Behind the Music.

2005

Nelly and Ashanti in 2005

Nelly helped surprise his love at her 25th birthday party at N.Y.C.’s Glo in October of 2005.

2006

Nelly and Ashanti in 2006

The pair put their heads together in 2006 at a party celebrating Diddy’s Unforgivable fragrance at N.Y.C.’s Stereo.