Nelly Shares How a Spades Match Against Michael Jordan Forced Him to Borrow Money From Ashanti
During a podcast appearance, rap star Nelly recounted a high-stakes spades matchup where he and his brother squared off against NBA greats Michael Jordan and Charles Oakley. After an early lead led to heavy trash talk, the game turned, leaving Nelly asking his wife Ashanti for cash to cover his losses.
Card tables and cultural bragging rights have long walked hand in hand, but going head-to-head with legendary NBA competitors can quickly turn into an expensive lesson. According to an account reported by AllHipHop, music icon Nelly recently revealed details about a memorable spades matchup where he found himself digging deep into his pockets alongside basketball royalty.
Speaking on an episode of the podcast “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony,” which aired in late October alongside co-hosts Carmelo Anthony, Monica, and Kaz, Nelly walked through the night he teamed up with his younger brother for a high-stakes card game. Their opponents across the table were none other than NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and longtime league enforcer Charles Oakley.
According to Nelly's recollection detailed by AllHipHop, things started out smoothly for the musical brothers. The pair jumped out to an early advantage, which immediately sparked some celebratory trash talk at the table. Nelly noted that having his wife, Grammy-winning singer Ashanti, sitting nearby and watching only intensified his boasting in front of the legendary competitors.
However, the momentum shifted decisively once Jordan and Oakley found their groove. Nelly explained that Oakley had previously warned him about speaking too soon, a piece of advice that rang true as the NBA veterans quickly wiped out the lead and took control of the contest.
By the end of the matchup, the financial toll became apparent right in front of Ashanti. As reported by AllHipHop, Nelly reflected on the sting of defeat by stating that Jordan bested him in front of his partner. Nelly recalled that he lost significant money that evening, prompting him to turn to Ashanti and ask what cash she had on hand to help settle the score.
Despite the costly outcome, Nelly described the evening with fondness, expressing his appreciation for being included within that inner circle of elite athletes and friends. His ties to Jordan extend far beyond friendly games of spades; both men previously shared an ownership connection in the sports world. As AllHipHop reported, Nelly invested as a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats alongside founder Bob Johnson in 2004, calling the venture one of his proudest milestones. Jordan subsequently joined the group and officially gained controlling interest in the franchise following NBA approval in March 2010.
Beyond past sports memories, Nelly and Ashanti continue to share their personal lives publicly. The couple is set to return to screens for the second season of their reality series, “Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together,” premiering November 19 on Peacock. The upcoming episodes will document the couple managing their busy touring schedules while parenting their toddler son, Kareem, known affectionately as KK, alongside the complexities of a blended family and bi-coastal commitments.