Nelly and Ashanti Enjoy ‘Playful and Loving’ Date Night at His Annual Charity Ball (Exclusive)
Nelly’s Black and White Charity Ball was held on Dec. 15 in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri

Ashanti and Nelly attend Nelly’s Black and White Ball on December 15, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.

Ashanti and Nelly. Photo:
Getty

Nelly and Ashanti know how to have a good time.

The couple stepped out on Sunday, Dec. 15, for Nelly’s annual Black and White Charity Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

“They were playful and loving and telling everyone what a good baby KK is,” a source tells PEOPLE exclusively of the new parents, adding that their son “lights up when he is around his daddy.”

At one point in the evening, Ashanti, 44, joined Nelly, 50, onstage to perform her 2002 hit song “What’s Luv.” Then, they sang Ashanti’s “Baby” and changed the lyrics to “we made a baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.”

“Make some noise for my God damn beautiful wife,” he said onstage.

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Throughout the evening, Nelly raised money for Make-A-Wish, made a 14-year-old’s wish come true by gifting him a brand-new home theater system and granted a Harris-Stowe State University sophomore a full-ride scholarship.

The “Hot in Here” rapper was also granted a key to the city with the St. Lunatics. In response to the honor, he teased a festival in partnership with Metro Boomin happening in 2025.

Ashanti and Nelly share a moment on stage at Nelly’s Black and White Ball on December 15, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.

Ashanti and Nelly.
Getty

More guests at the ball included Ne-Yo, Metro Boomin, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Jordan Binnington, Oli Marmol, Masyn Winn, J-Kwon, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, City, Slo’Down, Blanco Brown, Isaac Keys, Polow Da Don, Richard Fortus, Sydney Thomas, Connor Perry, Jim Edmonds, Orlando Pace and more.

In November, the couple caught up with PEOPLE on their lives as new parents to son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, whose arrival was announced in August via Instagram.

“It’s amazing,” Ashanti said of having KK in their lives. “He’s a blessing. He’s an angel. My life is amazing right now. I’m super blessed, so happy. I’m insanely in love with him.”

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Reflecting on how his personality was flourishing, Ashanti said he definitely “has daddy’s temper.”

“When the bottle isn’t ready — oh, man,” she said.

The Grammy Award winners first announced they were expecting their first child together in an Instagram video shared in April. The “Foolish” singer also shared the news with Essence soon after, revealing not only that she was pregnant, but that she and Nelly were engaged.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation,” Ashanti told the outlet. “Motherhood is something I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”

The pair tied the knot on Dec. 27, 2023, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE in June.