July 22, 2008 | Interview By: Trill Chris
Author Tim Hampton, born and raised in Port Arthur Texas, has had a pretty tough life to say the least. He lost his mother at an early age and was then abandoned by his family. Luckily, he found the loving care of “Mama” Wes Monroe, better known as the mother of Chad “Pimp C” Butler. Tim was able to live a somewhat normal life once “Mama” took him in, and eventually went on to graduate from high school as well as college.
Tim is currently living in Tampa, Fl and serves as a motivational speaker and up & coming author. His childhood experiences alone would give him more than enough material to write several books. However, it is what Tim did after high school that provided him with the majority of his material. Tim served as a corrections officer for the Texas Department of Corrections for nearly nine years, and two years as an officer in the Florida prison system. Growing tired of the corrupt, immoral situations in the system, Tim abonded his post. This eventually lead to the release of his best-selling book, “Still Holding My Own”.
Tim gives KeepItTrill.com an inside look on his life. He will talk about growing up with Pimp C, being a correctional officer, and gives his thoughts on the current situation with Rick Ross. He also mentions an upcoming book that will supposedly ‘expose’ fake rappers.
Losing your mother at such a young age must have been a horrible thing to experience. How did you learn to cope, and what kind of advice can you give to kids currently experiencing similar situations?
“It was tough and it was horrible… Thankfully I was friends with Chad, or as most of you know him as “Pimp C”. I already knew his mother before all of this happened and we were all pretty close. She made the transition really easy for me when she took me into her home and she helped me through a lot of it… But basically, my advice to the kids is…. they just need to remember to keep their heads up and remain positive… Through all situations in life, no matter what the situation, just stay positive and live life.”
What was it like growing up with Pimp C?
“(laughing……)It was amusing, to say the least… and it was great. Chad was one of the best, most big-hearted people I’ve ever met… Most kids brought home pets and insects, but Chad… he brought home people. That seems to be the best way to always describe him. But we were real close… More close than most of the other people who ever got to know Chad in his lifetime.”
What made you decide to become a correctional officer after finishing high school?
“Chad and Mama had done so much for me… but I knew at some point I had to be out on my own and make my own living. I thought it would be greedy to stay there and live off them.. You know, it was about 1992 then, so Chad’s career had just started to take off and I didn’t want to live off that. I knew I had to get out. I knew I had to get out and hold my own and a correctional officer was the best job at the time, as it paid the most.”
Do you have any regrets from the time you served as an officer for the TDC?
“Yes….. There are a lot of situations I could have handled differently.”
Care to elaborate?
“I wish I would have been more verbal and less physical with some of the situations. I had a short fuse and the way they train you in the system, they teach you to use force. But if you read my book, you’ll find out that is one of my reasons for deciding to leave that life behind.”
Between working in the prison system of Texas and the system in Florida, which did you find the worst?
“Florida by far… I couldn’t stand it. It was corrupt! They actually TEACH new officers how to do inmates wrong! From handcuffing people wrong, provoking them to do bad things…..and they just taught us how to do bad things to them.”
What are some nicknames that they would give the c/o’s within the system?
“The most common nickname that C/O’s everywhere would receive is ‘Boss’. They also say that boss stands for ‘sorry son ova bitch’ spelled backwards.”
That’s funny, given the recent events that have unfolded with Rick Ross. After all, he is the “Biggest boss we’ve seen thus far”.
“(laughing………….) According to inmate populations nationwide, a boss is a sorry son of a bitch….”
From your standpoint as a “Trill” individual and as a former corrections officer, what is your whole take on this situation with Rick Ross being a former c/o?
“Well, different people chose that career path for different reasons. My reason for choosing that career in the first place, was the best opportunity for me at that time. I refused to ride the success of Pimp C, even though he allowed it. I would never ride another mans coat-tail for success. But for him, who knows, it could have been the best situation for him at that time.”
Do you think Rick Ross being a correctional officer will hurt his street credibility, or even worse, ruin his career?
“It won’t hurt his career at all. In my opinion, the only thing that will hurt his street credibility is the fact that he lied. But as far as his career, he’ll be fine because that man is successful.”
When Ross was first asked about his former occupation, he denied it. When the first photo was released of him in his c/o uniform, he said it was photo-shopped and fake. He further went to say that his life is “100% Real” and that “fake people, make fake photos to entertain the fake”. Why do you think he was so adamant in denying his former occupation?
“Since I got into that field, and have so many experiences there, I think that ‘William Roberts’ may have had some experiences that he may be ashamed of, therefore that is why he denies it. As far as what he said about everything being fake, fake, fake… Let me put it to you like this. About 90% of the rappers out there are fake! So what does that say about him? I know several rappers personally through Chad and a lot of them are fake.”
Aside from the latest celebrity gossip, what all do you have going on for you right now?
“I’m working on my fourth book. This book will pretty much reveal a lot of things going on in the rap industry. I am going to expose several rappers and their lifestyles. I’m not sure what I’m going to name the book yet, but it will definitely cause a big stir within the industry. Other than that, I’m just going around the country, and speaking at different places.”
That’s what’s up Tim. Now that these people know a little more about you, let em’ know where they can check you out and purchase your books:
My website is www.holdingmyown.com and you can also hit me up on mysapce at myspace.com/best_seller
Submit Your Music!
Great interview!
I met Tim thru Pimp (R.I.P.) allstar weekend in Vegas last year, dude was cool I dont think he gonna ride out on pimp or bun cause they both done so much for him, I think he gonna tell it on the people who misused pimp like crime mob, david banner and flip. as for Rick, like tim said no matter what the man is successful with getting his paper. FOREVER TRU RECORDS!
man pimp c did what he had to do look at cashmoney baby and wayne don’t do what the fuck they say . all them nigga’s need to do is put out good shit and a nigga happy if a nigga sell a 5 dollar stone tha nigga sold dope let tha shit go rick ross is doing him right now so what do a old occupation have to do with a man rapping . talk about y u dont go see your little boy and tha nigga 5 going on 6 how many times have u been with him think 1 or 2 men do for u. u dont know about shit with rapper .
ugk is da reel deal. fuck errythang else
GO TO SOUNDCLICK.COM AND CHECK OUT SCARFACE NEW GROUP STONEZ45
da real u probably the fakest dude alive. dont know nuthin bout UGK or real texas niggas fa dat matter.fraud ass boy start at home with all them fake ass,wack ass,florida goones.come to texas boy
^^^ finally someone who knows what they’re talkin about
I know Tim Hampton personally and he is a good dude. I’m fucked up in the head cause i know Tim aint came out with the REAL truth about UGK .yall listen to the music and read the magazines and run with that bullshit. pimp nor bun NEVER sold dope, NEVER BANGED, NEVER EVEN GOT IN A FIST FIGHT in port arthur, that shit was just entertainment just like rambo or nino brown in new jack city ENTERTAINMENT! Truth is now theres a bunch of dudes riding the dick of a dead man (pimp c) calling themselves UGK records and bun dont even fuck with them like that hell bun and pimp wasnt even close like that. Tim knows the TRUTH and if he go tell it he gotta start inhis own back yard like homeboy said earlier. any mutha fuckas think im lieing ask Tim Hampton why mama Wes struggling right now and why did pimp c bentleys and jewelry get taken by rapalot soon as he died! then he need to tell more on his ex co-worker ricky ross. then move on to them fake broke bitches on the east coast! not hating but you hoes need to have disclaimers at the start of ya songs saying this is entertainment and not try to get people to think the shit you say is real!
big money Texas!
Tim Hampton is the real deal. KeepItTrill.com will co-sign that anyday. He’s definitely an inspiration and a positive beacon of light for many people.
I’ve read all 3 books Tim Hampton has wrote and they are the best stories I have ever read. one of the local elementary schools here in chicago loves Mr Hampton. Real or fake that man is helping alot of people through his works
Snake in Seattle
I am a nigga from jacksonville AR. but when i hear sweet jones street.K.A Pimp C and Bun-B, they me feel like i stayed in PORT ARTHUR,TX. if you did not have anything they made you feel like you had everthing now how trill is that.free larry hoover
Great Interview KeepItTrill.com
Who’s to say what’s real and what’s trill! Bun B and Sweet Jones b.k.a Pimp C are Hood Texas Niggas! Like someone commented before clean out your own closet before you try to clean out someone elses!!!
Rap is a form of “Entertainment” I would bet that no rapper is rapping 100% real ALL the time, some are more real than others. I agree with GlobalMarket, UGK for life – whether they rapped 100% tru or not, I don’t care. I will listen if I relate to the song. “One Day You’re Here and the Next Day You’re Gone”… Yes, thats a classic and never even played on the radios here in Tampa or probably most other places either… Whatz up Tim –do ya thang!!! Whatz up Chris!!! Stay Trill!!!
Da Real…how you know all dis shit about what Pimp and bun did? I knew pimp personally and he used to sell coke or whatever he could get his hands on just to pay for his studio time… he was enver any hard core dealer pushin kilos every week like a kingpin, but they never claimed to do that. but he was in the streets doin what he had to do to stay alive and get into the rap game
they “RAPPED” about real life, IT WASN’T THEIR REAL LIFE. C didn’t flip a kilo every week,he never sold dope. High Life was all fake they ain’t live none of that shit. it was just a good STORY and song that street niggaz could relate to. on “one day” do you really think C sold 3 chickens befo’ 9:00, good song and message though. Murder was fake and damn near every song you can name they made was fake. My point is the just rapped about real life, IT WASN’T THEIR REAL LIFE, it was make believe. they are just rappers tellin stories. they wasn’t real gangstas, dope dealers, or pimps, just talented rappers.
Fuck yea, I ride with UGK for life, pocket full of stones, “murder” one day you here and the next day you gone bitches. That shit what they rapped was about real life, go and listen to the lyrics.
dats whats up!!oh yea listen to HIGH LIFE thats real talk!!!
bottom line who gives a fuck!!!ugk made music a nigga ridin a benz or the bus could throw in they deck and appreciate!!
^^^the fans get it confused cause rappers want you to believe it’s real. you never hear a rapper that spits dat dope boy gangsta music say it’s just entertainment or what they are rappin about isn’t them. why? cause they know if the fans straight up know they are lying, they wouldn’t sell. if UGK had came out and publicly stated they didn’t do the shit they rapped about they would’ve been the joke of the industry just like Rick Ross. people are entertained by MOVIES. they DO expect honesty in their music. That’s why this is always an issue. that’s why ross is gettin clowned, PEOPLE WANT DA REAL. not some nigga who good at just tellin stories.
First of all Rap music is Rap music and the streets is the streets! the only people that get it mixed up iz the fans, the artists kno wat it is, n use the smoke n mirriors to confuse the consumers. As much as we would like to belive the stories, at the end of the day we kno the sh1t iz fake, just like the people who buy tickets to go watch WWE!!!!! If you think about it, there iz not 1 rappere out now that hasnt been exposed: Jay-z, Cam&Jim, 50, Dr Dre, Game, Ice Cube, Mobb Deep, Scarface,Young Buck, Young Jeezy, the list goes on and on! But the records keep selling so wat duz that tell you…..
I THINK TIM SCARED OF RICK ROSS STRAIGHT UP I NO C.O 2 AND THEY WILL TELL U THEM PEOPLE DONT PICK NIGGAZ UNLESS THEY FEEL U NIGGAZ IS AGAINST US,U MIGHT A STAYED WIT PIMP C BUT U WAS A COP MINDED NIGGA THE WHOLE TIME,LET ME TELL U SOMETHIN I DONT NO A CORUPTED COP IS NOT BOUT 2 TRADE IN A BADGE FOR A RAP LIFE FOR WHAT.
DAMN WE ALL NEED LARRY MICHEAL HOOVER SR GUIDENCE ABOUT THIS
TIM GET AT THE GOVERNOR K!NG! ..IM IN TAMPA FL
K!NG! ALLYON!
Tim Hampton, das wussup.. you doin yo thang… I like to see a man survive on his own without ridin others’ coattails. Don’t forget tho, if that help is there, it wouldn’t hurt to accept some also.. we all go through life together, no reason y we should go at it alone…
Yall succeed together! He helps you where you make it big, and then you can help him in return cuz of your status. If you never make it big, then yall can’t help each other, ya kno..?
das wussup Trill Chris.. fuckin wankers.. UGK aint sayin they sling crack n shit when they cops.. shiiii
For all of you who are responding negatively, you must not have read past the title.. Read the damn interview and then speak.
DAMN LOOK AT YALL MAN, THIS MAKES ME SICK. YALL WANNA HANG THE MANZ CAREER CAUSE HE WAS TRYNDA SURVIVE.
Once again… who are yall trying to expose? man you dont know anybodys past or there personal experience. like I said a nigga who had it easy his whole would normally diss another man that lived rough. I can’t get mad at 50. the niggaz life was “shit” he deserve that 400 mill. you cant make that shit up. these niggaz was out here grindin for real. not in the way you wanted them to maybe. but life is hard. Ima make this statement and I want somebody to tell me im wrong” ( A REAL NIGGA DOES WHAT HE HAS TO DO AND THATS BE MAN). IF YOU SAY IM LYING THEN I KNOW YOU FAKE!!
so like i said if ya goin start exposin people start in ya own backyard
Perdue, I mean UGK ain’t real, lame. good ARTIST but not REAL. bun rapped for years about pushin weight but dat nigga wasn’t no d-boy. pocket fulla stones was 100% fake. they wasn’t rappin about themselves it was made up, good story though. i saw how and where they lived at that time and what they was drivin and it wasn’t 1% percent dat shit they was talkin and they DAMN SHO wasn’t pushin no weight. you can say the same for damn near every song they made. they just started gettin real money 2 years ago. they told good stories, made good music and represented for the streets. that’s what made them dope. They wasn’t no real d-boys, pimps, or gangstas just good artist that could paint a picture.
Da Real,What the fuck do you mean start with UGK?
Know roots of the music you listen to,you duck.
People get so over whelmed in the music,that they will start to believe what they say is the truth.
We all know Ross isn’t pushing Kilo’s…
He is stacking money though,and you can’t hate him for that.
He should’nt of denied his past though,someone will eventually pull his bitch card on that.
mayne cant wait to see who in the game is frontin about their shit
MAN THIS BOOK IS GONNA BE THE SHIT
if ya’ll gonna start exposin people, ya’ll should start with UGK
Ya Tim speaks the truth, I read his first book but i really need to read the others
how can you not support this man?
because whether you know it or not he supporting you with his works
I cannot wait until this next book is released. I hope it wakes people up out here as to what is really going on in the music industry.Of course we have pros and cons in every facet of life and I hope we see a turn in the music industry in general in years to come.
expose em all
Looking forward to that next book. Tim, I only have 2 of your books… how did I miss the third. Anyway, I can’t wait for the fourth book.