Rapper T.I. to enter prison today

Rapper T.I. is to enter prison today, reports say.

The Grammy Award-winner has until noon (6pm GMT) to report to the Federal Correction Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas, according to The AP.

The rapper, real name Clifford Harris, was arrested in 2007 for attempting to purchase unregistered machine guns and silencers from undercover federal agents.

The 28-year-old had previously requested a delay in his sentence so that he could be placed in a minimum security facility in his Georgia hometown last week.

T.I. told fans that he would stay optimistic about his jail stay during a concert in Atlanta on Sunday night.

He said: "I'm going to stand up tall, head up high. Thank you for all of your support."

During the performance, he reportedly told the crowd that he hoped they had learned a lesson from his mistakes and that he wished to remain in their thoughts.

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

The 'Live Your Life' star will apparently be eligible for early release after ten months, depending on his behaviour behind bars.