Kelis seeks baby money from Nas

Kelis is expecting a baby boy next month

Singer Kelis has asked estranged husband Nas for $20,000 (£12,120) to pay for looking after their unborn child, court papers have revealed.

The US star has filed for the money from the rapper to buy baby supplies and employ a nanny.

Kelis, best known for her hit Milkshake, admits that she does not have the funds to care for the baby and her "survival is based on Nas's will".

The couple married in 2003 and Kelis filed for divorce last month.

They still maintain two homes in Los Angeles and New York.

Kelis further reveals in court papers that her earnings were scant in 2008, but she still needs to equip both properties with prams, cribs and other baby items.

During the same period, Nas released a number of albums and wrote songs for film soundtracks, his estranged wife wrote in her statement to the court.

She added that the pair maintained separate bank accounts during their marriage.

Kelis has also asked for additional funds to cover medical expenses related to the birth and her child and maintaining their residences.

The rapper has yet to respond to the claim.