Rapper T.I., born Clifford Harris, sat down with the Atlanta Journal Constitution late Thursday (April 10) afternoon at an Atlanta YMCA after speaking to a youth group for aspiring music producers called "For Me Inc."

This was his first interview since he was arrested for and pled guilty to three firearms charges last month. T.I. must complete over 1000 hours of community service and an expected 366 days in jail.

During the interview he told them how everything that's taken place has taught him not to live so fast. "Patience," he explained, when asked how he's been coping. "Just a lot of patience. If I can sit at home all day and wait on people to bring me what I need ... wait on getting permission to be able to do this and do that, it's not as serious as I used to make it sometimes. Sometimes it was like, 'If I don't get this right now I'm just going to lose it.' ... When you're going 350 MPH, it tends to be that way. But when you are stopped - halted, not slowed down, but halted - you figure, 'Well I could have just slowed down. I didn't have to be stopped.' I thought it was bad just to slow down. Now I see in me being stopped, I could have done this, been this, myself, instead of being forced to do it."

T.I. didn't only lose the ability to come and go as he chooses but he also lost a lot of money. "GM had to back up off of me," he said. "There are films that I missed out on. Not speaking of, of course ... tours. Tons of business. I've probably lost about $10 to $12 million."

T.I. explained how he could still smile throughout all that he's been through. Sometimes you laugh to keep from crying. But you know, I'm blessed to be able to be out here to make $10 to $12 million more. Especially considering I brought this all on myself. So you know - minimal injury. Maximum lesson learned." T.I. tells the AJC "that his future is brighter than his past."

He will be recording in the studio with Amy Winehouse and has plans to marry his long-time girlfriend, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle. They are also expecting a new son. Cottle's delivery date is May 25th, 2008. T.I. won't disclose the ceremony information because he doesn't want all the extra strain on their relationship.