T.I. Says Goodbye To Fans At Pre-Prison Gig

Prison-bound rapper T.I. played a rousing farewell gig to fans on Sunday (24May09) as he winds down his career before embarking on a year-long stint behind bars.

The Live Your Life hitmaker will hand himself over to the authorities by noon on Tuesday (26May09) to start his 366-day jail term, which he was handed in connection with his recent conviction on weapons charges.

T.I., real name Clifford Harris, Jr., asked lawmakers to delay his sentence until he could secure a a cell in a minimum-security prison near his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

His request was denied and he must report to authorities in Forrest City, Arkansas on Tuesday as planned.

But that didn't stop the star from taking to stage one last time to thrill fans, who have bombarded the star with messages of support ahead of his jail term.

The gig, at Atlanta's Philips Arena in Georgia, saw a crowd of 16,000 wave banners and cheer as T.I. brought his five children on stage during his track No Matter What.

And he thanked the audience for sticking by him throughout his troubled past: "I'm going to stand up tall, head up high. Thank you for all of your support.

"What I need y'all to do is pray for me while I'm gone. I'll see y'all in 366 days."