Kelis’ representative has confirmed that she and Nas are getting a divorce after almost six years of marriage and eight years of being together. What makes it even worse is that Kelis is seven months pregnant with the couple’s first child together. Only a few months ago, Nas was telling MTV that he was excited for the baby and might ask fans for help in naming the kid, who they know will be a son.

One of hip hop’s most talked about married couples have split. VIBE has confirmed that Nas and Kelis are headed for a divorce. “I can confirm that she has filed for divorce,” a spokesperson for Kelis told VIBE. “We request the media to respect her privacy during this very difficult time.” At around 3:45pm PST, high-powered attorney Laura Wasser (who has also represented Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, and Stevie Wonder) filed a divorce petition today on behalf of Kelis, citing irreconcilable differences. The bombshell comes amid recent reports that the acclaimed rhymer and influential R&B vixen were expecting their first child together—a son. Kelis is currently seven months pregnant.

It was only last February when Nas spoke excitedly to MTV about the prospect of having a baby with Kelis. “Yeah, man, I find out what it’s gonna be next week, so I’m happy,” said the multiplatinum rapper, who also has a 15-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Nas and Kelis first met in 2002 at a MTV Video Music Awards afterparty thrown by hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. “I wasn’t going to go, but I’m glad I did,” Nas told VIBE in June 2003. “Then at the afterparty, I met my girl.” Kelis remembered the meeting with her future husband vividly: “Everyone moves out of the way, and Nas stands up, and I put my hand out, and I’m like, Hey, I’m Kelis. And he goes, ‘Who?’… So I’m crawling into a f’ing hole, and he’s like, ‘Wait-huh? What’s your name? And I’m like, Kelis, and he’s like, ‘Oh, well that’s great, because I’ve been waiting to make you my wife all these years.’” When Nas told her of his bold marital plans, she replied in typical Kelis form. “That’s great, because that’s all I wanna be.”

[from Vibe]

Of course they filed due to “irreconcilable differences,” but the big question is whether it has anything to do with this report of a sex tape (or rather, post-sex tape) featuring Kelis. She reportedly hooked up with up-and-comer rapper Infared, who then filmed her sleeping in his bed. On the video, he is heard saying to Nas, “Handle your mother f**king business. I got your b**ch here, she (sic) getting naked.” Infared later confirmed an “encounter,” but nothing was ever confirmed regarding timing. However, it sounds like it occurred while Kelis and Nas were married.

There probably will never be any confirmation whether or not cheating had to do with the divorce, but it takes a lot for a couple to break up while the woman is pregnant – especially so far into her pregnancy. Hopefully they’ll be able to handle this so that it doesn’t affect the care of the child.

Here are Nas and Kelis in March and June 2008. Images thanks to WENN.com .