Ashanti thought she was going out for a simple dinner with her family to celebrate her 25th birthday. But instead the R&B singer (whose b-day was Oct. 13) was treated to a surprise party with an all-star guest list of 500 – including her rapper boyfriend Nelly, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Naomi Campbell and Ja Rule – at New York City hot spot Glo.

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"It was a complete surprise for her," says a source. "Her family told her to dress up because they were going to take her to dinner like they do every year." But before heading out, they told Ashanti they had to make one quick stop. When they pulled up at Glo, the Gucci-clad singer was shocked to be greeted by an entire club of well-wishers. "She really couldn’t believe it!" says the source.

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Inside, Ashanti and her guests sipped on custom cocktails provided by Bacardi Razz – including the Razz Precious Jewel (named after her new fragrance). For dessert, eight Coldstone Creamery ice-cream cakes were lit up with sparklers with splashes of the party’s signature color: pink.

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And she added some birthday bling to her collection: At the soiree she received a hand-crafted necklace set in 18-karat gold surrounded by drop pearls and 3.5-carat white diamonds by Peachtree on Fifth jewelry store.

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After dancing for two straight hours to hip-hop spun by DJ S&S, Ashanti finally left the party at around 2 a.m.
Source: People Magazine