Nelly & Ashanti Have a Ball at Charity Gala

It was all love at Nelly’s 2010 Black and White Ball. The “Just a Dream” rapper and his girlfriend Ashanti stepped out together for the 5th annual charity event at the Chase Park Plaza in his hometown of St. Louis on Sunday (Dec. 19). In addition to Nelly, the night featured performances from hip-hop vet DMC and Ashanti, who was joined by her beau onstage for a duet. Jermaine Dupri co-hosted and Nelly presented college scholarships to two women.

Nelly recently told Rap-Up TV why he’s waiting to marry Ashanti. “I think you really have to be friends first. It’s not about how long it takes,” he explained. “I’m not a person that wants to get married more than once. If I’ma do it, I’ma do it. You’re dying if you leave me.”