On-again-off-again celebrity couple Ashanti and Nelly attended Nelly’s 5th Annual Black And White Christmas Ball at Chase Park Plaza in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri yesterday. Performers included Ashanti and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run DMC.

Last week Rap-Up TV caught up with the rapper and asked him why he’s waiting so long 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.”

Watch the video of the interview after the break!

Photos: Wireimage/Getty