CNN’s T.J. Holmes was the last to interview T.I. prior to his reporting for his year and a day jail sentence.? Now he revisits Tip, 7 months later to see how he’s changed. Tip discussed how his prison sentence changed him mentally and spiritually, stating:

I survived it and I’ve been able to use it to my advantage to make myself a better person…. I’m more concerned with my LIFE than I am My IMAGE.? My image will be a reflection of my life and how I’m living. I feel like if I make the necessary adjustments in my LIFE then my IMAGE will change with it.

Speaking of images, Tip explained that he has a passion for music but he doesn’t see himself on stage at 40 plus.? Music industry dudes have no hours and he wants more of a family life and stability right now:

I’m not going to be the 40 year old rapper. That’s Jay. He’s doing it very well but I just don’t see that for me.?? If I had the option of Jay-Z or Will Smith…. I think I’d go with Will.

I have a lot of respect for Jay-Z and his legacy but I feel like Will Smith gets to spend more time with his family. He gets to be home more and can actually raise his kids.

He has more of a HOME life…. and the money don’t hurt. $20 Million a flick ain’t bad!

Full interview:

Video ~ T.I.’s New Lease on Life ~ CNN

Tip also addressed the Woodland Middle School parent’s who got upset over his speaking to the students at the school back in March:

As far as them wanting to pull their children out because of me: If you don’t want them to hear it from me, as long as they hear it from somewhere. Who else you gonna have who can speak to them and they take the message at face value, better than me?

Does it matter who’s giving them them message or does it matter that they GET the message?

T.I.’s album “King Uncaged” drops August 17th…. in the meantime, CLICK HERE to down load Tip’s “F*ck a Mixtape” cd.