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Rapper speaks to youths in Lithonia

By Sierra Brown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/10/08

Rapper T.I. told a group of youths Wednesday that they should ask themselves, "How can I be better than my environment?"

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, told the youngsters that while many of them may grow up surrounded by drug use and violence, they don't have to settle for that.

"You only get out of life what you are willing to put into it," he said to about 100 young people at Browns Mill Recreational Center in Lithonia.

T.I.'s appearance was part of a March plea agreement requiring him to do at least 1,000 hours in community service stemming from an arrest last year on felony weapons charges. He also was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, deferred until after he completes his community service.

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