US rapper T I has played his final concert before heading to prison to serve time for illegal possession of machine guns.

T I performing before a packed crowd two days before his jail term starts

The Grammy-winning star, who has collaborated with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Rihanna, has been jailed for one year and a day.

He told the audience at his farewell show at Atlanta's Philips Arena that he would stay optimistic while serving his sentence.

Many in the packed crowd of about 16,000 people held up , such as: "TI We Will Miss U!"

During the concert, he said he hoped that everyone learned from his mistakes.

The 28-year-old, whose real name is Clifford J Harris Jr, was arrested after prosecutors said he tried to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers from undercover federal agents in 2007.

He was spared the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in March 2008 and agreeing to do community service.

He must report by noon on Tuesday to the Federal Correction Institution at Forrest City, Arkansas, when he will begin his jail term.

Since his conviction, he has starred in his own MTV reality show entitled T I's Road to Redemption, warning youngsters to stay on the straight and narrow.

He has also worked for a political thinktank which has close connections to Washington.

T I won a Grammy for his collaboration with Justin Timberlake for My Love. He also featured on Rihanna's Live Your Life.

His sixth album, Paper Trail, went to number one in the US Billboard 200 chart when it was released earlier this year.

He has also appeared in the Russell Crowe film American Gangster and featured on the soundtrack.

Harris is one of the co-chief executives of Grand Hustle Records, which earns more than £12.4m a year.

He is also one of Atlanta Records' most successful artist