GOAL-Digger: Here's Why Tiffney Cambridge Is More Than Just A "Rapper's Ex"
Did the song even surprise you or come as a shock?
It did. I was surprised by the song but I wasn't surprised by the lyrics. I told him because we had a discussion about it, he played it for me, I said, "Boy, you know I don't have no million dollars worth of Birkin bag in my closet, so at least take that part out." So that was funny.
Like I said, I do think that in his mind, Jayceon knows what I'm deserving of and he knows what my expectations are and he knows what I'm able to achieve. All of them. So him actually, he knew it and he knows it, and for him to actually write a song about it, it was like 'Ok, alright!' He knows. He knows what's up with Ms. Cambridge. He knows!'
He and I are so different when it comes to how we handle ourselves. I'm very private and discreet. I don't let everyone know what's going on in my world. I'm not the one to broadcast my business. I just don't believe in letting all your business out there.
[TWEET "I think that just because your eyes see something that doesn't mean your mouth has to say something."]
You see enough things. When you have been a high-profile relationship like I have been in, it's very important to not share everything.
Have you ever heard the saying, 'Sometimes we're meant to be in a man's life to help them become a better man, for another woman.'?
Right, I have. I've heard that before.
Do you kind of feel like with you and Jayceon's experience that's kind of what it is? Was he supposed to learn in that experience with you to be that guy to someone else?
Well, when I think about that question, I don't only think about it in terms of just him, I think about it for myself as well. Is my role, for Jayceon, to be a teacher for him to get him all ripe and ready for the next woman? That could be the case. And it is in his position to have shown me exactly what I want, or what I don't want, when I'm ripe and ready for my next relationship. I think it can go either way. I think our relationship has been a learning ground for both of us. I'm older than him and maybe have more life experience than him and maybe have a different way of governing myself. So it may come across as I'm the older one and I'm the teacher.
So just as much as people may look at me and say, 'He learned on her and she is prepping him for the next person,' I think that the same thing could be said about me. I've been through a lot in this relationship. I've had challenges and struggles that you wouldn't believe. The things that you guys see aren't even half the internal struggle, sacrifices, the hurt that I've been through in my involvement with this man.
I've learned a lot from Jayceon. Learning goes both ways. Sometimes you learn what to do and that could be his learning, I suppose. And sometimes you learn what not to do, and that could be mine. And I think both are equally as important. And I think both will help in future relationships.
You mentioned the age thing and being a little bit older and being able to teach him, but do you feel like age played an ultimate factor in you two separating?
I don't think that a numerical number played a part in it because technically, I'm only 4 1/2 years older than him. Jayceon was born in 1979. I was born in 1975. He was born at the end of 1979 in November, and I was born in July of 1975. So we're technically only 4 1/2 to 5 years apart. So numerically, the age, I'm 40, Jayceon will be 36 in November, so I don't think that played a part. I think the level of maturity played a part.
You can have someone that is 36-years-old that is very mature, knows what they want out of life and can appreciate having a good woman and two beautiful children. And that's their choice. 'I want my woman, I want my family. I am a rapper, but this is what my focus is, so I'm going to do what I'ma have to do and then go on home.' There are 36-year-old men who do think like that. But then there are 36-year-old men who don't think like that. So I think that it is individual to the person and where they are in their lives and where they are in their level of growth and maturity.
So do I feel like the number matters? Jayceon is 36. Ok? You're not 26, 25 or 24 and I'm 40. You're 36. That's not...people try to make it seem like it's suchhhhhh a big gap, like I'm 10 years older than him, and I'm not. We're still right there [in age with] each other. So it's not the age, it's what I'm allowing and what I'm not allowing in our relationship. I'm not the one for a lot of different things so it makes me seem like like an old hag.
Maybe monogamy is not the hip thing. Maybe that's not the young thing. Maybe in this day and age, it's cool to have a harem of females around you, that makes you marketable or makes you hot. Whatever. But for Tiffney Cambridge, it's not for me. I don't do that. I am very old school.
I was born in 1975, I grew up in the 80's. I grew up in a time where relationships and commitment mattered. I grew up in a time where you talk on the phone until you fell asleep on the phone, you wrote love notes--will you be my boyfriend, yes or no?--and it was you two.
I'm not here to tell you, another grown person, how to live their life. I'm not going to force my beliefs or values down your throat. What I'm going to do is remove myself from the situation, and let you do you, and so basically, that's what I've done. And Jayceon and I have [still] managed to maintain a friendship. We have two beautiful kids. And both Cali and Justice, we both want what is best for them. We'll both be in each other's loves forever. We have a very close and special bond. He is the father of my children, and we're always going to be together in that way.
I think a lot of women these days have accepted, 'OK, I guess that's just what men do,' so their new thing now is fighting to be the "main" one. Not fighting for monogamy, but fighting for the "number one spot" on a list of women. And I guess that's something that you just won't allow or do.
No, I don't fight for a spot. The other person can just have it. It's really true. I don't have any problem with it at all. I don't do competitions, I don't do "choose me or her," the other person can just have you. Because if that's your thought process, I don't want you. So she can go and have you. My bishop, Bishop Noel Jones, told me many years ago:
[TWEET "Some battles are worth fighting even if you lose. And some aren't worth fighting even if you win."]
And that has really stuck with me. And it's a philosophy that I live and love by. Because I want to be in a situation where there is no choice. 'I want to be with Tiffney, and that's it.' And that is a turn-on for me. That's what makes my heart sing.
So if there is any competition, there is no competition. Just go on and be with the other person. That's it.
So what would it take to impress the lovely Ms. Cambridge?
I like loyalty. I like a man that is very respectable, career driven. I like a man who has a spiritual sense about himself, who is in tune with God. I love a quiet, calm, confident man. And in my next relationship, I would like to be the one that is lead. I feel like in this relationship I was the leader. So finding someone with the ability to teach me something, to be able to lead me in a positive direction, would be very intriguing to me.
You go, Tiffney! In-between teaching, Tiffney is still on her book tour for her children's book, "The Little Girl Who Lost Her Smile," which you can purchase here. She is also doing motivational speaking engagements on the weekends, and you can keep up with her tour dates (and all things Tiffney) on her official Instagram and Twitter.
Good girls may finish last sometimes, but at least they finish. Which is a lot more than most can say these days!
A modest goddess who keeps it humble between mumbles. I'm a journalism graduate with a HERstory in digital media, print and radio. Roll the credits: Power 96, VH1, xoNecole, EBONY, SOHH. Deemed "Top 20 Women in Media" by Power 105. Bronx made me, Broward raised me.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
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Not too long ago, while in an interview, someone asked me for a top complaint that I hear husbands say (first) and then wives state (second) as it relates to what goes down (or doesn’t go down) in the bedroom.
Ladies first: when it comes to women, I think what comes up more than anything might surprise some: it’s boredom. A lot of wives want there to be more spontaneity instead of taking the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach from their partner. As for men? I mean, would anyone be shocked to hear that they wished their wife would initiate sex more often?
I’m telling you, over frequency, technique, and even dressing up more for bed (and yes, those things also come up quite a bit), hands down, what I hear that more men want is for their partner to show them that they are desired by taking the initial steps to make copulation happen…more often.
And so, since I’m all about doing whatever I can to reduce dissatisfaction and frustration in the bedroom department, let’s explore this very topic today — from a few angles. For starters, what it truly means to be a sexual initiator; two, why it’s so vitally important to be a sexual initiator, and three, why it could literally change the entire tone, energy, and outcome of your sex life with your partner — if you’d simply be open to initiating sex more often than you (probably already) do.
What It Means to Initiate Something. LITERALLY.
Giphy
I’m word-literal — there’s no secret about that. So, when it comes to the topic of initiating sex, let’s start with what the word means. To initiate is “to begin, set going, or originate” and “to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.” Some synonyms for initiate include begin, open, set up, trigger, admit, introduce, and invest. And when it comes to all of the meanings of these words, between men and women, when it comes to sex specifically, guess who does it more? Men. BY A LONG SHOT TOO: a whopping 60 percent.
When it comes to why a lot of women are so comfortable with men initiating intimacy, many think that, just like men should pursue them for a relationship, it is also “the man’s role” to pursue sex in the bedroom; they literally think that it makes them look desperate or needy for them to be the initiator — yes, even as a wife. What in the world?
Listen, when two people sign up to be each other’s exclusive sex partner until death parts them, it means they are both saying that they desire each other so much that they are willing to make that kind of commitment — and so, there should be no “I don’t want to appear this way or that” when it comes to sexual activity.
So, with all of that ridiculous overthinking out of the way, that should make you want to “set up” some sex plans, “admit” to some sexual fantasies that you may have, and “introduce” some new ideas to your partner; especially since that’s exactly what so many men wish that their lady would do, to begin with.
So, with all of this said, if you’re someone who is hung up on not initiating, first spend some time really processing what the word means. Because when two people are eager to begin sex and invest in each other sexually, that is the recipe for a truly satisfying experience…over and over and over again.
C’mon. Who Doesn’t Want to Feel Wanted?
GiphyI remember once reading an article that said our brain processes rejection the same way that it does physical pain, and y’all, I don’t know about you, but if something is physically hurting me, my natural inclination is to get away from it. Along these lines, when it comes to relationships since research has proven that rejection can lead to things like jealousy, shame, anxiety, loneliness, and guilt — yes, it makes all of the common sense in the world that you would want to do all that you can to make your partner feel wanted…both in and outside of the bedroom because, just like no one wants to deal with physical pain, no one wants to keep dealing with rejection and all of the fallout that comes with it…either.
Actually, when it comes to this particular point, I think that an article that I once read on Psychology Today’s site said it best: “Not only does being needed help define your role in a relationship, but being needed can also influence how satisfied you feel in a relationship.” And before some of you say that “sex is not a need” — the hell you say? I mean, the only purpose of your clitoris is to provide sexual stimulation, so that alone should make us all deem sex (and sexual fulfillment) as pretty damn important.
Plus, by definition, a need is something that is deemed as being essential while also being something that is extremely necessary, and anyone who thinks that a romantic relationship doesn’t need physical intimacy? That’s someone who really needs to remain single because one of the top things that makes a relationship more than a friendship is there is intimacy that’s involved.
Besides, who doesn’t want to feel wanted by their partner — and I do mean, in every way? And when you make the decision to be in an exclusive relationship with someone else, you are declaring that they are someone who pleases you to the point where you don’t need to look for anyone else to do it; and, if that is indeed what you are saying, it doesn’t make sense that you wouldn’t initiate sex with them sometimes (and I do mean more than on their birthday).
One, because you choose them to “fill that role.” Two, because they are the source of your fulfillment in that area. Three, because it’s completely unfair (not to mention totally hypocritical) to expect them to make you feel wanted when you’re not being intentional about making them feel the same way in return. Not to mention the fact that initiating also helps to safeguard your relationship on a lot of levels too.
Since sex is important and rejection is detrimental on so many levels, it’s crucial to make your partner feel sexually wanted and desired by you. One way to definitely do that is to initiate sex.
What Initiating Sex Does for You
GiphySo, what does initiating sex do for the initiator? Something that I tell a lot of my women clients is it helps them to create an atmosphere that puts them in the mood. What I mean by that is, if their husband is perfectly content having sex on the couch during commercials (I’m kind of exaggerating to make a point…kind of…LOL) while they would like some candles, mood music, and rose petals — they can control that if they are the one who initiates.
Another perk that comes with being the initiator is you have more “control” over how the sex goes. The kind of foreplay you want, how fast or slow things go, how intercourse begins — all of this, you have more of a say so in if you’re the one who is initiating intimacy. Why? Well, think about when your bae initiates — doesn’t it seem like you tend to follow his lead more when he’s the one who is first to get the ball rolling?
Oftentimes, when a couple comes to me about being sexually dissatisfied, and I recommend that the one who doesn’t initiate takes more initiative, the one on the receiving end likes the fact that their partner is “running the show” — and the initiator likes “being in charge” more than they thought that they would. As a result, both end up experiencing far more pleasure.
The initiator shows what they want more of while the receiver feels desired in the process. A win/win for everyone.
What Initiating Sex Does for Him
sexy black and white GIFGiphyA couple of weeks ago, while in a session with a client, he was joking about how much he has “too much of a good thing” when it comes to his wife’s libido. Although science says that the fact that men have a higher amount of testosterone in their system, and it is the reason why they typically have a higher sex drive, don’t sleep on a lot of women out there who want to get it in more than their husband does. His wife is one of them. Since she’s a client of mine too (oftentimes, we do our sessions separately), it’s interesting that he’s fine with having sex a couple of times a month while she would like to a couple of times a week.
So, is he denying her when she wants it more often? Nope. The reason why they’re not having more sex is that even though her drive is higher, she still waits for him to initiate. Why? Because she thinks that’s what “the man should do”; not only that but “being wooed” turns her on more.
As I’ve been working on helping them to find a middle ground (because if marriage ain’t about compromise, I don’t know what is), he says that he feels like because he plans a lot of the dates, he wishes that she would initiate more: “I don’t think a lot of women get how hard it is to be a Black man out here. Nothing feels better than knowing that if no one else is thrilled by your presence, your woman is. For us, initiating isn’t just about sex. It’s about feeling wanted as a whole. And when we feel like our woman adores us, there is no greater turn-on.”
I’m not sure what y’all heard, but what it sounds like to me is when we, as women, initiate sex, men feel holistically special and cherished. That makes sense, too, because if we were to put our feet in their shoes, we would probably say the same thing. That’s just one more reason to pull the “gender roles” out of this topic; men and women both want to feel like they are the best thing on the planet by their sex partners. And again, initiating helps us all to feel that way.
What Initiating Ultimately Does for Your Relationship As a Whole
Issa Rae Love GIF by Insecure on HBOGiphyPersonally, I can only imagine how much better sex would be for everyone (who is in a sexual relationship) if people simply initiated copulation whenever they wanted to have it. That way, everyone would feel desired — and what could possibly be wrong with that? Especially if both individuals factored in some of the definitions for initiated that I already shared. Just think about if you rushed home tonight because you read about something that you want to introduce to your man or there’s a fantasy that you have that you want to admit.
The mere conversations alone will help to bring the two of you closer together because, after all, deep intimacy is about minds, bodies, and spirits getting as close as possible…right? And so, yes, by initiating sex, it can bring more closeness and stability to the relationship as a whole.
And what if you initiate and your partner isn’t interested at the time? Or what if you’re shy about initiating due to having a fear of rejection? That’s a fair and legitimate concern. One day, I’ll need to pen an article on how couples should handle situations like that with grace (on both ends) while applying the golden rule of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” For now, I’ll just say that if this is your greatest point of concern, share that with your partner as well.
After all, it’s pretty unrealistic to expect them to always want it when you do (although it’s been my experience and observation that men are almost always far easier to convince…LOL); just know that not wanting sex at the exact moment that you do doesn’t mean that they don’t want you altogether. Besides, oftentimes, a nap or a night of sleep can rectify that issue. Trust me.
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Rihanna was actually once quoted as saying, “To me, sex is power. It’s empowering to do it because you want to do it.” I personally think that’s a great way to bring this to a close. Make your partner feel wonderful, empower yourself, and strengthen your relationship by initiating sex more often. I can’t think of one reason why it’s not a wise move. Can you?
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Featured image by Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images