In preparation for next week’s release of her tell-all book Tia’s Diary: Deeper Than Rap, Tia Kemp spoke with HipHopDX to provide an early sneak peek into what will surely be the (new) most-talked about memoir in some time from anyone even remotely connected to the Hip Hop industry.
The former flame of William Roberts, II, b.k.a. Rap star Rick Ross, has lived a whirlwind past few months (following her shopping spree with Ross adversary 50 Cent) in preparation for the unveiling of her diary detailing her own personal struggles with poverty and single-motherhood, as well as exposing the lies she claims Ross has told about not only their relationship, but his own puzzling past.
And as she does in her book, Tia provided to DX eye-popping insight into the life of the "Bawse," including Ross’ upper middle-class upbringing and reported Cosby Show-esque childhood, his employment history in addition to his work as a correctional officer, and his rap career inspired by “Peanut.”
The confident mother of three boys (a 12 and 10-year-old from a previous marriage, and three-year-old William Roberts, III – who Tia claims Ross has not attempted to see in four months) clearly has a gift for narration, and will make anyone who reads the interview below only more eager to get their hands on her complete diary. In the words of 50 Cent, “You won’t believe what Tia told me.”
HipHopDX: I wanna start by giving you an opportunity to sell your book to our millions of monthly readers. Tell the readers of HipHopDX why they should buy Tia’s Diary [click to pre-order].
Tia Kemp: I’m giving ‘em all the real deal. It’s the truth, about me, about Rick Ross [click to read]. He’s going around saying that he didn’t have a real personal relationship with me, and just a bunch of lies that he’s telling. So I’m just here to let everybody know that everything that’s in the book is the real truth. It’s worth $15. Go out and support me. I know there’s a lot of young women that been through the struggle that I have been through.
DX: So how much of this book is about your relationship with Ross, and how much of this book is your story?
Tia Kemp: Just a couple of chapters are about Ross, me and Ross. Most of the book is about me and my life.
DX: And what’s that story - just a general overview of what you’re telling the readers?
Tia Kemp: It’s the struggle that I went through. It’s where I came from, who I am. And what’s going on with me now, and how I got to this point.
DX: Regardless of how much of the book focuses on Ross, you know that’s all the readers of HipHopDX really care about. So let’s get into you and Ross specifically. First, did you guys meet in 2003 or 2004?
Tia Kemp: It was January 2004.
DX: And how was Ross paying his bills when y’all met? Did you know how he was keeping the lights on?
Tia Kemp: His mom was paying his bills. He didn’t have a job. He wasn’t doing shows. You know, he was featured on a few people’s tracks, like Trina [click to read] and other rappers, but that wasn’t paying his bills. I’m not sure of how much he was getting paid for the shows that he was doing back then, but when I met him he wasn’t doing any shows, so…
DX: You insinuated in your first interview with Shade 45 that Ross comes from a privileged background. Do you know what his family’s income level was when he was coming up?
Tia Kemp: Well his mom has a Ph.D. She’s a nurse director. She just retired last year if I’m not mistaken – either last year or year before last. And she’s been a nurse director for 30-something years, so she’s been grossing about a $100,000 a year. She also owns a lot of property in Mississippi - that’s where [Rick Ross] was born. And that’s where she’s from. She owns about 15 houses there. His dad was a Language Arts Professor at Miami-Dade Community College. So he came from a very good background. Both of his parents had degrees. His mom drove a [Mercedes] Benz from the time he was a kid on up. So it’s not like he had to walk to school or catch a school bus or anything like that. He rode in a Mercedes when he got dropped off and picked up from school.
DX: Do you know what specific neighborhood he grew up in, like if it was in the hood or…?
Tia Kemp: He grew up in Carol City. It was sort of [a] suburban area. I wouldn’t say it was the hood then. The area that he grew up in only doctors and lawyers lived in that area.
DX: Do you know if he actually ran with any kind of crew, specifically The Boobie Boys – the people he always shouts out?
Tia Kemp: When I was with him, these guys were already gone, so he wasn’t… But what I’m hearing [is] that he didn’t run with these guys. And I know this for sure. He didn’t run with these guys. He knew people that knew these guys and that ran with these guys, and that’s why he’s reppin’ ‘em so hard.
DX: You told XXL recently “he’s rapping somebody else’s life.” Whose life is Ross rappin’ about?
Tia Kemp: He’s rappin’ his friend Peanut’s life. He has a friend named Peanut – they call him ‘Nut – and he’s rappin’ ‘Nut’s life.
DX: And you went on [in that interview] to say that him and Peanut don’t speak to this day because of this?
Tia Kemp: Yeah, I’m hearing that they’re not speaking. I’m not sure how true it is, but that’s what I’m hearing. And I saw [Peanut] at Young Jeezy [click to read] and T.I.’s [click to read] concert that was just down there in Miami last month, and he came up to me and he bigged me up. He told me do my thing and he gave me props, and acted like he was happy for me, so…
DX: Now do you happen to know what gigs Ross had back in the day? So far we know he was a C.O., and he admitted in song to being a roofer on "Mafia Music." Do you know about any other gigs outside of rapper that he had?
Tia Kemp: I know that he worked for the Health Department that his mom worked for. He used to [deliver] tuberculosis medicine I believe. That’s what he did; he delivered medicine to tuberculosis patients. He did that for a short period of time.
DX: How long ago was that? Like, how long before you guys got together?
Tia Kemp: That was way before we got together. In fact, I believe it was before he did the correction officer gig.
DX: Do you know of any other jobs he had in the years leading up to when you guys were together?
Tia Kemp: No, I never even heard him talk about that roofing thing [he referred to on “Mafia Music”].
DX: How much of Ross’ past did you learn about after y’all got together? It sounds like you know quite a bit, but do you feel like you know his past pretty well?
Tia Kemp: Of course. I know too many people in Miami. It’s not like he coulda hid much. He tried to in the beginning of our relationship. I didn’t know who I was dating and going out with until I moved in with him. And that’s how I found out that he was a correctional officer. I had been hearing about it, but once I moved in and found the resignation letter, found the handcuffs, that confirmed everything. So I would say I really found out about him more after I was involved with him for a little period of time.
DX: And who gave you the info on Ross’ past? Who were you talking to who really clued you in?
Tia Kemp: Just niggas in the streets, friends, relatives. My great-grandmother, she built her house from the ground in Carol City. She’s deceased now, but my aunts went to Carol City Senior High. The house that’s in Carol City has been in the family for 40 years or more. So I have a lot of relatives that went to Carol City Senior High that did a lot of things in Carol City, so…
DX: And you said [previously] that it was [Ross’] sister specifically that confirmed he was a C.O.?
Tia Kemp: Yes.
DX: We’re addressing Ross’ past, so let’s address Tia’s past a little bit. Seven cases since ’95 [click here]. Tell me about when Tia was a G [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] Well, when I was 19 I got in trouble. I had a little fight, went to jail. The case got thrown out, no conviction. Again, I went to jail for something else. I believe it was criminal mischief or something like that, vandalism…
DX: You have a disorderly conduct [charge] from ’97.
Tia Kemp: Yeah, that’s why I can’t even remember what it [was] – cursing the police out or whatever. You know, I’m from the hood. I just keep it real. It’s who I am and where I’m from. And [on that charge] went to jail, no conviction. Later on down the year, I think…
DX: Yeah you caught back-to-back charges I think like at the end of ’97.
Tia Kemp: Yeah, that was with the young lady at the flea market down in my hood where I’m from. And like I said, the charges was thrown out. It’s not like I was convicted or anything like that. You know, you go through things when you’re young. I caught a case [in 2007] also with Ross’ first baby mother.
DX: Yeah, the showdown at your apartment complex [click here].
Tia Kemp: Yeah.
DX: And you said all of those charges have been thrown out?
Tia Kemp: Mm-hmm. I have no convictions on my record. I’m a concealed weapon license carrier. I never been convicted of a felony. To possess a concealed weapon license you can’t have any convictions, so that tells it all.
DX: I just think it’s crazy that you had a record 13 years before Ross did [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] Exactly! [Laughs] Like I say, I couldn’t go be a correction officer if I tried to. [Laughs] And I don’t understand, it’s like, anybody that live by the sword should at least have a record, or anybody that done sold dope or been out here in the streets, claiming they been out here in the streets they should have a record. [There] should be some kind of [charges for] possession of drugs, or possession of [a] firearm on your record. He has an open case [from 2008] right now for possession of a firearm. And the reason for that case is because his concealed weapon license got taken away when he battered his first baby mother. He had to take up an anger management course. [And] so they took his concealed weapon license, [but] he still possessed the firearms he already [owned] when his license was valid. So, he ended up getting caught with that gun, and [a misdemeanor charge for] possession of marijuana, and that’s how come he has the possession of a firearm charge right now. He’s taking it to trial. They been [pushing] it off for like a year. But I believe he’s going to trial in July, ‘cause they just rescheduled the trial. But other than that, it’s not like he was caught with any AK’s, stolen guns or anything like that. The gun was in his name. The only reason they charged him with possession of a firearm is because he wasn’t supposed to have the gun. His [concealed weapon] license was revoked… It’s not like he was walking around with a gun in his pocket everyday and it’s unlicensed or whatever, nah.
DX: Now, I wanna get back to your past just a little bit, just to clarify, have you been a leasing consultant for all of the past five years? How has Tia been taking care of self in recent years?
Tia Kemp: Well, when I met my husband I didn’t work. I was a stay at home mom. And when he went off to federal prison, I had to get myself situated. That’s when reality sunk in. I had to get out here into the real world. I had to find a job. And my first job was at Walgreens. After that, I found employment through my sister-in-law, my husband’s brother’s wife, she was a property manager at an apartment complex and she got me a job there. I worked there for a little bit. I quit the job when I started messing around with Ross, being stupid. Because his mom had another gig lined up for me. She was trying to get me a job at the Health Department. And that didn’t go through because of my background. But I had already quit my job [as a leasing consultant] like a month or two before that, so… When me and Ross was dating I worked for a retail store, Marshalls. And just last year I got into the accounting business and started doing taxes. So those were the jobs I had. [But] I never really worked [that] hard all my life until now [Laughs].
DX: [Laughs] Doing press is a mutha [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] Yeah, now I’m working hard. [Laughs]
DX: [Laughs] Now I just wanna clarify, your husband, what year did his fed bid start?
Tia Kemp: He went to the feds in ’99 or 2000.
DX: And is he still in jail?
Tia Kemp: No, he’s out. He did a little over five years, and he’s out now. And he’s a great dad. He takes care of his sons very well.
DX: He’s the father of both of your eldest boys?
Tia Kemp: Yes.
DX: And I gotta ask this, did he ever seek out revenge on Ross for taking his lady [while he was incarcerated]?
Tia Kemp: No, no, he’s not that type of person.
DX: Can you elaborate then on why you left your marriage to roll with Ross? Was he just that appealing, or was your marriage just not in the right place?
Tia Kemp: Actually, to tell you the truth, it’s a lot of things that you go through in life and sometimes you sit back and you don’t understand why you made certain moves. And to tell you the truth, I think I was vulnerable when my husband went to prison. I was used to having a companion and being in a relationship. So I think I was [an] easy target. I was very family-oriented. And not only that, I got married pretty young. I got married when I was 20-years-old. I really didn’t live out my [young] life. It’s not like I went to college and was able to explore and do a lot of things after me becoming a [wife and mother]. So, after my husband went off to prison it was sorta like…
DX: Freeing maybe in some sort of way?
Tia Kemp: Yeah, it’s like I felt like I was kinda free. Like, I was able to do a lot of things that I wasn’t able to do before when I was married. I was able to party a lot. When I was married, me and my husband, we didn’t go out to clubs. We traveled a lot. We did a lot of things. He was into muscle car racing and things like that, so we traveled a lot [for that]. But it’s not like I was able to party and club and hang out with my girls and stuff like that. And so when he went to prison I was trying to find myself, do me, and have fun. So that left me open to a lot of different things. And when I met Ross [in a club], it’s not like he was the type of man I was looking for, or I was looking for a relationship, ‘cause I wasn’t. I was [still legally] married when I met him. I was married up until the time that I had my youngest son from Ross. So it’s not like I planned to be with him. It just happened.
DX: It sounds like you’ve had some rocky relationships to have to contend with, and you know another man that’s gonna break your heart is 50 Cent [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] I know right? [Laughs] But in a way it’s like, my goal is accomplished to tell you the truth. Even if I wouldn’t have met 50 Cent [click to read], trust me this day was gonna come. Trust me. Trust me, it was gonna come.
DX: Now let’s get into the 50 thing just a little bit. Can you clarify just what means brought you to 50? Is it true that you were trying to sell Ross’ deposition transcripts in the child support case to TMZ before you met 50?
Tia Kemp: No I was not. When Ross stole the truck from me at the deposition [click here]… My attorney has a [partner] that’s an attorney in the same office and he’s friends with someone that works for TMZ. So when I walked [back] in the office and everybody noticed the chaos of what was going on about the truck being stolen, he called my attorney in the room and I guess he asked her did she want him to contact his friend from TMZ. They contacted TMZ. TMZ felt like this wasn’t big enough for them, ‘cause Ross isn’t a big enough celebrity. So TMZ contacted 50 Cent. And that’s how I met 50 Cent [click to watch]. My attorney called me the next day and told me someone from Thisis50.com contacted her and wanted to know if I would like to do an interview. I knew right away why, and what it was about, because that week [Ross] had just dropped that song [“Mafia Music”] [click to listen] talking about 50 or whatever. So right away I knew it, I’m like, “Oh shit, this is why 50 wanna holla at me.” [But] it was an opportunity for me as well. Why not? I was pissed off.
DX: I’ve learned a woman scorned, there is no more dangerous thing [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: Don’t do it to ‘em. The diary of a mad black woman is something else. Don’t do it. [Laughs]
DX: So when you met 50 [in late January] did you immediately discuss you doing a book?
Tia Kemp: Yeah, when I came up here [to New York] I let him know that I wanted to write a book, and he made it happen. He jumped on the phone, contacted a few people, and the next week I was back in New York for the photo shoot [for the book jacket].
DX: So is that basically what you been doing since February is just writing like crazy?
Tia Kemp: Yeah.
DX: And I don’t know if you can reveal this information or not, but do you have a deal for just the one book? Are there options for more?
Tia Kemp: Right now I have a deal just for this book with G-Unit Books.
DX: I just have one final question, and it’s just the most obvious, why did you write this book? For money? For revenge? For fame? For none of those reasons? For all of those reasons?
Tia Kemp: Just because I wanted everyone to know the truth. And to know the real truth about me, and about Rick Ross. I wasn’t looking for fame. I didn’t ask for this. [And] who’s to say this book is gonna set me up for the rest of my life, or make me rich? But it will put my foot in the door.
The former flame of William Roberts, II, b.k.a. Rap star Rick Ross, has lived a whirlwind past few months (following her shopping spree with Ross adversary 50 Cent) in preparation for the unveiling of her diary detailing her own personal struggles with poverty and single-motherhood, as well as exposing the lies she claims Ross has told about not only their relationship, but his own puzzling past.
And as she does in her book, Tia provided to DX eye-popping insight into the life of the "Bawse," including Ross’ upper middle-class upbringing and reported Cosby Show-esque childhood, his employment history in addition to his work as a correctional officer, and his rap career inspired by “Peanut.”
The confident mother of three boys (a 12 and 10-year-old from a previous marriage, and three-year-old William Roberts, III – who Tia claims Ross has not attempted to see in four months) clearly has a gift for narration, and will make anyone who reads the interview below only more eager to get their hands on her complete diary. In the words of 50 Cent, “You won’t believe what Tia told me.”
HipHopDX: I wanna start by giving you an opportunity to sell your book to our millions of monthly readers. Tell the readers of HipHopDX why they should buy Tia’s Diary [click to pre-order].
Tia Kemp: I’m giving ‘em all the real deal. It’s the truth, about me, about Rick Ross [click to read]. He’s going around saying that he didn’t have a real personal relationship with me, and just a bunch of lies that he’s telling. So I’m just here to let everybody know that everything that’s in the book is the real truth. It’s worth $15. Go out and support me. I know there’s a lot of young women that been through the struggle that I have been through.
DX: So how much of this book is about your relationship with Ross, and how much of this book is your story?
Tia Kemp: Just a couple of chapters are about Ross, me and Ross. Most of the book is about me and my life.
DX: And what’s that story - just a general overview of what you’re telling the readers?
Tia Kemp: It’s the struggle that I went through. It’s where I came from, who I am. And what’s going on with me now, and how I got to this point.
DX: Regardless of how much of the book focuses on Ross, you know that’s all the readers of HipHopDX really care about. So let’s get into you and Ross specifically. First, did you guys meet in 2003 or 2004?
Tia Kemp: It was January 2004.
DX: And how was Ross paying his bills when y’all met? Did you know how he was keeping the lights on?
Tia Kemp: His mom was paying his bills. He didn’t have a job. He wasn’t doing shows. You know, he was featured on a few people’s tracks, like Trina [click to read] and other rappers, but that wasn’t paying his bills. I’m not sure of how much he was getting paid for the shows that he was doing back then, but when I met him he wasn’t doing any shows, so…
DX: You insinuated in your first interview with Shade 45 that Ross comes from a privileged background. Do you know what his family’s income level was when he was coming up?
Tia Kemp: Well his mom has a Ph.D. She’s a nurse director. She just retired last year if I’m not mistaken – either last year or year before last. And she’s been a nurse director for 30-something years, so she’s been grossing about a $100,000 a year. She also owns a lot of property in Mississippi - that’s where [Rick Ross] was born. And that’s where she’s from. She owns about 15 houses there. His dad was a Language Arts Professor at Miami-Dade Community College. So he came from a very good background. Both of his parents had degrees. His mom drove a [Mercedes] Benz from the time he was a kid on up. So it’s not like he had to walk to school or catch a school bus or anything like that. He rode in a Mercedes when he got dropped off and picked up from school.
DX: Do you know what specific neighborhood he grew up in, like if it was in the hood or…?
Tia Kemp: He grew up in Carol City. It was sort of [a] suburban area. I wouldn’t say it was the hood then. The area that he grew up in only doctors and lawyers lived in that area.
DX: Do you know if he actually ran with any kind of crew, specifically The Boobie Boys – the people he always shouts out?
Tia Kemp: When I was with him, these guys were already gone, so he wasn’t… But what I’m hearing [is] that he didn’t run with these guys. And I know this for sure. He didn’t run with these guys. He knew people that knew these guys and that ran with these guys, and that’s why he’s reppin’ ‘em so hard.
DX: You told XXL recently “he’s rapping somebody else’s life.” Whose life is Ross rappin’ about?
Tia Kemp: He’s rappin’ his friend Peanut’s life. He has a friend named Peanut – they call him ‘Nut – and he’s rappin’ ‘Nut’s life.
DX: And you went on [in that interview] to say that him and Peanut don’t speak to this day because of this?
Tia Kemp: Yeah, I’m hearing that they’re not speaking. I’m not sure how true it is, but that’s what I’m hearing. And I saw [Peanut] at Young Jeezy [click to read] and T.I.’s [click to read] concert that was just down there in Miami last month, and he came up to me and he bigged me up. He told me do my thing and he gave me props, and acted like he was happy for me, so…
DX: Now do you happen to know what gigs Ross had back in the day? So far we know he was a C.O., and he admitted in song to being a roofer on "Mafia Music." Do you know about any other gigs outside of rapper that he had?
Tia Kemp: I know that he worked for the Health Department that his mom worked for. He used to [deliver] tuberculosis medicine I believe. That’s what he did; he delivered medicine to tuberculosis patients. He did that for a short period of time.
DX: How long ago was that? Like, how long before you guys got together?
Tia Kemp: That was way before we got together. In fact, I believe it was before he did the correction officer gig.
DX: Do you know of any other jobs he had in the years leading up to when you guys were together?
Tia Kemp: No, I never even heard him talk about that roofing thing [he referred to on “Mafia Music”].
DX: How much of Ross’ past did you learn about after y’all got together? It sounds like you know quite a bit, but do you feel like you know his past pretty well?
Tia Kemp: Of course. I know too many people in Miami. It’s not like he coulda hid much. He tried to in the beginning of our relationship. I didn’t know who I was dating and going out with until I moved in with him. And that’s how I found out that he was a correctional officer. I had been hearing about it, but once I moved in and found the resignation letter, found the handcuffs, that confirmed everything. So I would say I really found out about him more after I was involved with him for a little period of time.
DX: And who gave you the info on Ross’ past? Who were you talking to who really clued you in?
Tia Kemp: Just niggas in the streets, friends, relatives. My great-grandmother, she built her house from the ground in Carol City. She’s deceased now, but my aunts went to Carol City Senior High. The house that’s in Carol City has been in the family for 40 years or more. So I have a lot of relatives that went to Carol City Senior High that did a lot of things in Carol City, so…
DX: And you said [previously] that it was [Ross’] sister specifically that confirmed he was a C.O.?
Tia Kemp: Yes.
DX: We’re addressing Ross’ past, so let’s address Tia’s past a little bit. Seven cases since ’95 [click here]. Tell me about when Tia was a G [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] Well, when I was 19 I got in trouble. I had a little fight, went to jail. The case got thrown out, no conviction. Again, I went to jail for something else. I believe it was criminal mischief or something like that, vandalism…
DX: You have a disorderly conduct [charge] from ’97.
Tia Kemp: Yeah, that’s why I can’t even remember what it [was] – cursing the police out or whatever. You know, I’m from the hood. I just keep it real. It’s who I am and where I’m from. And [on that charge] went to jail, no conviction. Later on down the year, I think…
DX: Yeah you caught back-to-back charges I think like at the end of ’97.
Tia Kemp: Yeah, that was with the young lady at the flea market down in my hood where I’m from. And like I said, the charges was thrown out. It’s not like I was convicted or anything like that. You know, you go through things when you’re young. I caught a case [in 2007] also with Ross’ first baby mother.
DX: Yeah, the showdown at your apartment complex [click here].
Tia Kemp: Yeah.
DX: And you said all of those charges have been thrown out?
Tia Kemp: Mm-hmm. I have no convictions on my record. I’m a concealed weapon license carrier. I never been convicted of a felony. To possess a concealed weapon license you can’t have any convictions, so that tells it all.
DX: I just think it’s crazy that you had a record 13 years before Ross did [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] Exactly! [Laughs] Like I say, I couldn’t go be a correction officer if I tried to. [Laughs] And I don’t understand, it’s like, anybody that live by the sword should at least have a record, or anybody that done sold dope or been out here in the streets, claiming they been out here in the streets they should have a record. [There] should be some kind of [charges for] possession of drugs, or possession of [a] firearm on your record. He has an open case [from 2008] right now for possession of a firearm. And the reason for that case is because his concealed weapon license got taken away when he battered his first baby mother. He had to take up an anger management course. [And] so they took his concealed weapon license, [but] he still possessed the firearms he already [owned] when his license was valid. So, he ended up getting caught with that gun, and [a misdemeanor charge for] possession of marijuana, and that’s how come he has the possession of a firearm charge right now. He’s taking it to trial. They been [pushing] it off for like a year. But I believe he’s going to trial in July, ‘cause they just rescheduled the trial. But other than that, it’s not like he was caught with any AK’s, stolen guns or anything like that. The gun was in his name. The only reason they charged him with possession of a firearm is because he wasn’t supposed to have the gun. His [concealed weapon] license was revoked… It’s not like he was walking around with a gun in his pocket everyday and it’s unlicensed or whatever, nah.
DX: Now, I wanna get back to your past just a little bit, just to clarify, have you been a leasing consultant for all of the past five years? How has Tia been taking care of self in recent years?
Tia Kemp: Well, when I met my husband I didn’t work. I was a stay at home mom. And when he went off to federal prison, I had to get myself situated. That’s when reality sunk in. I had to get out here into the real world. I had to find a job. And my first job was at Walgreens. After that, I found employment through my sister-in-law, my husband’s brother’s wife, she was a property manager at an apartment complex and she got me a job there. I worked there for a little bit. I quit the job when I started messing around with Ross, being stupid. Because his mom had another gig lined up for me. She was trying to get me a job at the Health Department. And that didn’t go through because of my background. But I had already quit my job [as a leasing consultant] like a month or two before that, so… When me and Ross was dating I worked for a retail store, Marshalls. And just last year I got into the accounting business and started doing taxes. So those were the jobs I had. [But] I never really worked [that] hard all my life until now [Laughs].
DX: [Laughs] Doing press is a mutha [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] Yeah, now I’m working hard. [Laughs]
DX: [Laughs] Now I just wanna clarify, your husband, what year did his fed bid start?
Tia Kemp: He went to the feds in ’99 or 2000.
DX: And is he still in jail?
Tia Kemp: No, he’s out. He did a little over five years, and he’s out now. And he’s a great dad. He takes care of his sons very well.
DX: He’s the father of both of your eldest boys?
Tia Kemp: Yes.
DX: And I gotta ask this, did he ever seek out revenge on Ross for taking his lady [while he was incarcerated]?
Tia Kemp: No, no, he’s not that type of person.
DX: Can you elaborate then on why you left your marriage to roll with Ross? Was he just that appealing, or was your marriage just not in the right place?
Tia Kemp: Actually, to tell you the truth, it’s a lot of things that you go through in life and sometimes you sit back and you don’t understand why you made certain moves. And to tell you the truth, I think I was vulnerable when my husband went to prison. I was used to having a companion and being in a relationship. So I think I was [an] easy target. I was very family-oriented. And not only that, I got married pretty young. I got married when I was 20-years-old. I really didn’t live out my [young] life. It’s not like I went to college and was able to explore and do a lot of things after me becoming a [wife and mother]. So, after my husband went off to prison it was sorta like…
DX: Freeing maybe in some sort of way?
Tia Kemp: Yeah, it’s like I felt like I was kinda free. Like, I was able to do a lot of things that I wasn’t able to do before when I was married. I was able to party a lot. When I was married, me and my husband, we didn’t go out to clubs. We traveled a lot. We did a lot of things. He was into muscle car racing and things like that, so we traveled a lot [for that]. But it’s not like I was able to party and club and hang out with my girls and stuff like that. And so when he went to prison I was trying to find myself, do me, and have fun. So that left me open to a lot of different things. And when I met Ross [in a club], it’s not like he was the type of man I was looking for, or I was looking for a relationship, ‘cause I wasn’t. I was [still legally] married when I met him. I was married up until the time that I had my youngest son from Ross. So it’s not like I planned to be with him. It just happened.
DX: It sounds like you’ve had some rocky relationships to have to contend with, and you know another man that’s gonna break your heart is 50 Cent [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: [Laughs] I know right? [Laughs] But in a way it’s like, my goal is accomplished to tell you the truth. Even if I wouldn’t have met 50 Cent [click to read], trust me this day was gonna come. Trust me. Trust me, it was gonna come.
DX: Now let’s get into the 50 thing just a little bit. Can you clarify just what means brought you to 50? Is it true that you were trying to sell Ross’ deposition transcripts in the child support case to TMZ before you met 50?
Tia Kemp: No I was not. When Ross stole the truck from me at the deposition [click here]… My attorney has a [partner] that’s an attorney in the same office and he’s friends with someone that works for TMZ. So when I walked [back] in the office and everybody noticed the chaos of what was going on about the truck being stolen, he called my attorney in the room and I guess he asked her did she want him to contact his friend from TMZ. They contacted TMZ. TMZ felt like this wasn’t big enough for them, ‘cause Ross isn’t a big enough celebrity. So TMZ contacted 50 Cent. And that’s how I met 50 Cent [click to watch]. My attorney called me the next day and told me someone from Thisis50.com contacted her and wanted to know if I would like to do an interview. I knew right away why, and what it was about, because that week [Ross] had just dropped that song [“Mafia Music”] [click to listen] talking about 50 or whatever. So right away I knew it, I’m like, “Oh shit, this is why 50 wanna holla at me.” [But] it was an opportunity for me as well. Why not? I was pissed off.
DX: I’ve learned a woman scorned, there is no more dangerous thing [Laughs].
Tia Kemp: Don’t do it to ‘em. The diary of a mad black woman is something else. Don’t do it. [Laughs]
DX: So when you met 50 [in late January] did you immediately discuss you doing a book?
Tia Kemp: Yeah, when I came up here [to New York] I let him know that I wanted to write a book, and he made it happen. He jumped on the phone, contacted a few people, and the next week I was back in New York for the photo shoot [for the book jacket].
DX: So is that basically what you been doing since February is just writing like crazy?
Tia Kemp: Yeah.
DX: And I don’t know if you can reveal this information or not, but do you have a deal for just the one book? Are there options for more?
Tia Kemp: Right now I have a deal just for this book with G-Unit Books.
DX: I just have one final question, and it’s just the most obvious, why did you write this book? For money? For revenge? For fame? For none of those reasons? For all of those reasons?
Tia Kemp: Just because I wanted everyone to know the truth. And to know the real truth about me, and about Rick Ross. I wasn’t looking for fame. I didn’t ask for this. [And] who’s to say this book is gonna set me up for the rest of my life, or make me rich? But it will put my foot in the door.
