Atlanta Rapper T.I. Faces Off Against Ex

ATLANTA -- The rapper known as T.I. has a music career that has earned him a grammy, wealth, and millions of adoring fans who flock to his side who line up for autographs.

Fatherhood has earned him trips to the Fulton County Courthouse to square off against an ex-girlfriend.

"My children are still the number one thing," said T.I. after a Tuesday court hearing. "They're the most important thing in my life and they are what I work for."

Three of T.I.'s six children live with him. The two he fathered with ex-girlfriend LaShon Dixon live with her. T.I. and his lawyers insist when Dixon asks, the entertainer always gives, providing whatever is needed for his kids.

"Basketball camp, acting lessons., anything," said T.I.'s lawyer John Mayoue.

But T.I.'s ex-girlfriend insists their seven and eight-year-old deserve more. Lawyers for the multi-million dollar artist say T.I. now pays more than $6,000 a month in child support for private schools, tutors, and medical insurance for the children he fathered with Dixon.

T.I.'s ex wants as much as $10,000 a month. She says the children T.I. fathered with other women,the ones that live with him, enjoy a much more lavish life style, and LaShon Dixon says that should be fixed.

"So it's not so uneven and noticable between the children," LaShon testified. "Not so noticable that it's different."

T.I. says that he would like to have all six of his children live with him so they can all share in his musical success daily.

"We don't live together and have not in ten years," T.I. testified at the hearing "That's something we both have to grab ahold of.

"I think the children's different standard of living with her is due to her lifestyle that she has provided for herself," said T.I.

The entertainer, whose real name is Clifford Harris, will be sentenced later this month on federal weapons charges. He said if he's sent to prison, he's made arrangement so that the children will continue to receive child support.

Dixon's lawyers say if her ex is behind bars, he would not be available to see them on weekends, putting more of the financial burden on her.

Judge Tipton Lane has not yet made a ruling in the case.