Kelis has given birth to a boy.

The singer is believed to have delivered the tot in a New York hospital today (22.07.09), after going into labour yesterday (21.07.09).

The child's father Nas - who is estranged from Kelis - was not allowed to be present at the birth.

A source said: "Nas is in New York City, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his son. It was his intention to be there for the birth, but unfortunately he has not been allowed to be present.

"While this is clearly heartbreaking to him, Nas continues to offer his support and love to his new baby boy and his mother."

Nas' lawyer has confirmed the 35-year-old rapper was not permitted to be in the delivery room as his son entered the world.

No other details have been released at the time of writing.

Kelis filed for divorce from Nas in April citing "irreconcilable differences".

In June, it was claimed Kelis was asking for funds for stem cell storage for their baby, to "to bank the baby's blood when he is born. The banking is the collection and storage of the stem cells found in the baby's umbilical cord".

She was also seeking $20,000 towards the cost of "purchasing strollers, cribs and other baby supplies" for their two homes, an apartment in Manhattan and a house in Los Angeles and money to pay for a baby nurse, nanny and other staff.

In court papers, she put the unborn baby's expenses at $80,000 a month and insisted she was reliant on money from Nas, whose last record deal was worth a reputed $11 million.

Nas has since disputed the claims, insisting he "did not receive even half that amount".

Kelis and Nas met at an after-party hosted by P. Diddy for the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

They got engaged a year later and married in Atlanta in 2005.