Rapper T.I. receives key to city of Jackson

Clifford "T.I." Harris Jr. received the key to the city of Jackson today.

The well-known, Atlanta-based rapper, actor, music producer and reality star, is was in Jackson today to talk to students.He spoke to enthusiastic crowds of students at several schools in Jackson.

His message to students: Avoid making the mistakes that he once made.

He told students at Forest Hill High School going to school "Isn't just wasted hours but an investment in your future."

"There is no easy way; you have to work hard and to prepare yourself," T.I said.

Mayor Tony Yarber, who presented the key to the city to T.I., said the rapper would have more of an impact on young people to encourage them to stay away from crime.

Yarber said some people may have a problem with him giving the key to the city to a convicted felon, but the mayor said it was about trying to reach young people.

T.I. acknowledged his criminal past, but said if you want to be different, you must do things different.

T.I served about seven months at the prison in 2009 after he was arrested in 2007 for trying to buy unregistered guns and silencers from undercover federal agents. Harris said publicly that he was trying to purchase weapons after a best friend was killed in Cincinnati. Harris said he was target of the shots that killed his friend.

He was on probation after he was released and ordered not to commit another crime or to illegally possess any controlled substances.

He was arrested again in September 2010 in Los Angeles on drug charges after authorities said he was found with four ecstasy pills. He was sentenced to 11 months in prison for that violation..

T.I.'s songs include: Castle Walls, Like That, No Mercy, Whatever You Like, and What You Know. He appeared in the movie American Gangster with actor Denzel Washington. And he starred in the move ATL. T.I. and wife Tameka "Tiny" appear in the VH1 series T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at jgates@jackson.gannett.com or (601) 961-7212. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.