Rapper NELLY has reportedly become a father after a woman who claimed to be pregnant with the star's baby gave birth last week.

The Hot In Herre hitmaker, who is dating RandB singer Ashanti, is alleged to have slept with the former exotic dancer from Atlanta, Georgia, last year (07).

And the woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, welcomed a baby boy named Rashaan at a Georgia hospital on Sunday evening (06Jan08), reports MediaTakeOut.com.

Nelly has yet to comment on reports of his infidelity, and has not visited the newborn.

The rapper already has two children from previous relationships: 13-year-old daughter Chanell Haynes, and eight-year-old son Cornell Haynes III.