ATLANTA -- Rapper T.I. pleaded guilty Thursday to federal weapons possession charges, and is to be sentenced in one year, after completing a period of community service.

In the year that he is awaiting sentencing, T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, must complete at least 1,000 hours of a total 1,500 hours of community service, talking to youth groups about the pitfalls of guns, gangs and drugs.

The rapper, dressed in a gray business suit, told the judge he understands the terms of the agreement.

"I'd like to thank God for blessing me with a second chance at life and success," Harris said at a press conference after the sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of machine guns and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

"I realize completely that I have violated the law, and I accept that I must be punished. I take it very seriously," Harris said.

Harris was arrested Oct. 13, just blocks away and hours before he was to headline the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.

He was charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers, as well as possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

He initially pleaded not guilty, and has been under house arrest since he was released on $3 million bond on Oct. 26. But a judge allowed Harris to attend an Easter service at an Atlanta church.

Harris grew up in Atlanta and was selling crack by the time he was a teenager. After years of trying to launch a rap career, his first taste of success came with his 2003 album, "Trap Muzik." In 2004, warrants were issued for his arrest on probation violations for a drug conviction, and he was sentenced to three years behind bars.

In May 2006, T.I.'s best friend, Philant Johnson, was killed and three others were injured in a gun shootout after a post-performance party in Cincinnati. The killer remains at large.

T.I.'s sixth album, "T.I. vs. T.I.P.," was released July 3 and debuted at No. 1. In November, T.I. starred in "American Gangster" alongside Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.