T.I.: Prison was a wake-up call

T.I. says spending time in prison helps to 'put things in perspective'.

The American hip-hop artist has served two stints in jail following an arrest made for federal weapons charges.

The 32-year-old says his time behind bars helped him to understand the important things in life.

'I don't think I have to sell the fact that prison sucks,' T.I. tells VH1.

'When you have your liberties and the loves of your life taken away from you, it puts a lot of things in perspective.'

The rapper is married to singer Tameka Cottle and together they have two children, Clifford and Major.

T.I. also has three children from previous relationships and is step-father to Tameka's daughter Zonnique.

The time away from his family was clearly difficult for the star, and since his stints in prison T.I. has kept out of trouble with the law.

Music channel VH1 are now running a programme called Behind the Music: T.I., which delves deeper into the musician's troubled past.

T.I. spoke candidly about the events leading up to his prison sentence during a Larry King interview in 2010.

The rapper says the death of a close friend was partially to blame for his behaviour.

"It came from an attempt that was made on my life," he said.

"My best friend [Philant Johnson] had died in my arms. It caused a state of depression and paranoia. My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger.'