US rapper T.I. will today (May 26) begin a one year and a day prison sentence for weapons offences.

The rapper is due to report to Forrest City prison in Arkansas later.

T.I., whose real name is Clifford J. Harris Jr., pleaded guilty to possessing federal weapons in March 2008.

Harris, who was sentenced two months ago, was arrested by police trying to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers in Atlanta in October 2007.

The arrest came just hours before the rapper was due to headline the BET Awards.

Harris, who originally pleaded not guilty, was placed under house arrest last year and asked to complete 1000 hours of community service.

T.I. performed his final concert in Atlanta on Sunday, telling the crowd, which included family and friends, that he would see them “in 366 days”.

(by Jason Gregory)