The former hip-hop supercouple has been embroiled in a bitter divorce since April (09), just three months before the birth of their son Knight.

In July (09), Nas was ordered to pay a whopping $55,000 (£34,375)-a-week in spousal and child support by a New York judge, but now the star is trying to knock down the payments, so that he only provides for his newborn son.

He filed papers on Monday (02Nov09) in a bid to block the spousal support payments he owes to the Milkshake hitmaker, according to Tmz.com.

Vibe said Nas and Kelis met in 2002 at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty hosted by hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and, after dating for two years, married in an Atlanta on July 28, 2003.

The two collaborated on Kelis' single "In Public" which appeared on her 2003 release "Tasty," and she made an appearance on Nas' controversial 2006 song "Hip Hop Is Dead." Internet rumors of a breakup had been circulating for more than a year, Vibe said.

The recording artist gave birth to her first child, a son, in New York in July, and named him Knight Jones.

The website also claims Nas is seeking joint custody of his baby son. More photos here. (c) WENN (c) UPI