By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 17th 2010 12:52PM
Filed under: Celebrity Finances, News
The rapper Nas is having some trouble in child support court, as his ex-wife Kelis has held him in contempt for non-payment of child support. According to TMZ, Kelis and her attorneys state that
Nas has refused to pay child support or spousal support since December 1, and owes more than $55,000 dollars.
Reportedly, Nas also owes Kelis' lawyer $35,000.
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Kelis Pictures
(L-R) Estelle and Kelis attend the opening gala at the Hair Rules New York Salon on September 15, 2009 in New York City. Hair Rules New York Salon Opening Gala Hair Rules New York Salon New York, NY United States September 15, 2009 Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com To license this image (58370591), contact WireImage.com
Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com
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Whats Kelis Up to Now?
(L-R) Estelle and Kelis attend the opening gala at the Hair Rules New York Salon on September 15, 2009 in New York City. Hair Rules New York Salon Opening Gala Hair Rules New York Salon New York, NY United States September 15, 2009 Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com To license this image (58370591), contact WireImage.com
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
(L-R) Kara Young, Erica Reid and Kelis attend the opening gala at the Hair Rules New York Salon on September 15, 2009 in New York City. Hair Rules New York Salon Opening Gala Hair Rules New York Salon New York, NY United States September 15, 2009 Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com To license this image (58370606), contact WireImage.com
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
Singer Kelis attends the 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala - Arrivals Cipriani Wall Street New York, NY United States June 16, 2009 Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage.com To license this image (16841565), contact WireImage.com
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
Singer Kelis attends the 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala - Arrivals Cipriani Wall Street New York, NY United States June 16, 2009 Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage.com To license this image (16841564), contact WireImage.com
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Recording artists Estelle (L) and Kelis attend Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Estelle;Kelis
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Recording artists Estelle (L) and Kelis attend Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Estelle;Kelis
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
NEW YORK - JUNE 16: (L-R) Recording artist Kelis, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America, CS Choi and New York Jets Cornerback Darrelle Revis attend Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** CS Choi;Kelis;Darrelle Revis
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Recording artist Kelis (L) and President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America, CS Choi attend Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** CS Choi;Kelis
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Recording artist Kelis (L) and President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America, CS Choi attend Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** CS Choi;Kelis
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
NEW YORK - JUNE 16: (L-R) Recording artist Kelis, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America, CS Choi and New York Jets Cornerback Darrelle Revis attend Samsung's 8th Annual Four Seasons Of Hope Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on June 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** CS Choi;Kelis;Darrelle Revis
Whats Kelis Up to Now?
If this is the case, Nas should be careful. Being held in contempt of court and/or not paying child support can land you in jail. At the same time, the fact that Nas can be over $50,000 in arrears after one month is a reminder of the magnitude of the support he is being asked to pay.
There is the other truth that sometimes, artists are not as wealthy as we are led to believe. Every rapper is expected to rap about how much money he has, but some of them don't have nearly as much dough as the public thinks. Hopefully, Nas has the money to pay this bill, so he won't be added to the long list of A-list rappers to spend time behind bars in recent months.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
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Comments: (12)
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By: cdc4 on 1/22/2010 9:04PM
I hope that Nas and Kelis will tried to make their present relationship work whether seprated or together. They should keep in mind any negative action against each other is an action against their child, because the child is a part of the both of them. Stop the power play and negative campaigning against each other and privately work this out like mature parents. I wish that they would remember at one point that they loved and cared for each other and probably still do. Reach for the good in each other and your child will benefit from two dynamic parents. Good luck!
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By: ED on 1/24/2010 3:17PM
Lot of spinning and mental gymnastics on your part, Doc,but the bottom line remains the same. Real men pay their child support. Nas can always try to have his order modified or show changed circumstances, but he has to do it in court. As for having to pay his wife's attorney fees, Nas probably tried to duck paying anything and he got caught at it.
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