Yesterday (December 9), Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David S. Cunningham ordered Nas to pay $51,101 a month in spousal and child support to ex-wife Kelis.
Cunningham made his ruling following two days of testimony from Nas and Kelis.
Kelis verified that she inked a new recording contract with Interscope Records for $175,000. However, her attorney explained that the majority of that sum was paid out to her managers, leaving the singer with only $50,000.
When cross-examined, she told Nas attorney Mark Kaplan that her comeback career was a far cry from her former chart topping fame circa the 2003 single “Milkshake,” indicating that her latest song was quietly dropped on Twitter.
Her income could also not be determined, as documentation shows Kelis has not filed an income tax return in years.
In Nas’ testimony, the Queens legend confirmed that he would not release solo album in 2010, but did not disclose whether that included his Damian Marley collaboration LP Distant Relatives. His statements also revealed that he owed $700,000 to his manager, and $2.5 million in back taxes to the IRS.
Along with the spousal and child support decree, Nas is now relieved of having to pay the $13,000 a month mortgage for the ex-couple’s Los Angeles home, in which Kelis currently resides.
Before yesterday’s verdict, Nas was reportedly paying close to $40,000 a month in temporary support.
At press time, neither Nas nor Kelis have personally commented on the ruling.