Contrary to previous reports, Atlanta-based rapper T.I. did not secretly marry longtime girlfriend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle before going to prison. News of the alleged nuptials broke over the weekend as Tip, born Clifford Harris Jr., marked his final days of freedom with a farewell party and performance in Atlanta. Sydney Margetson, Tip's publicist, refuted the marriage rumors stating that the allegations are "absolutely not true."

The couple share two young sons King and Major, and in 2007 Cottle gave birth to a stillborn daughter named Llayah Amour. Tip has three other children, while Cottle has a daughter, all from previous relationships.

Cottle, who usually stays out of the spotlight, has often been spotted alongside her beau since news of his legal troubles broke in 2007. The couple also appeared on Tip's MTV reality show 'Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go,' which followed the 28-year-old as he worked to change the lives of young people at risk of incarceration and gang violence.



"She's very important," said Tip in an interview. "She means to me what my mother meant to me as a kid-somebody that you know [is] consistently there, has your best interests at heart, and if ain't nobody else there in the world...[she's going to] be there."

The rapper was arrested just a few hours before a scheduled appearance at the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards. After reaching a plea deal with authorities Tip completed 1,000 hours of community service and was sentenced to one year and a day behind bars. After his release he will serve two months on house arrest and pay fines totaling $100,000.

Last week Tip's lawyers requested a 10-day delay of his prison sentence in order to find a facility closer to his Atlanta home. The request was denied and he began his sentence Tuesday afternoon at the Forrest City Correctional Institute in Arkansas.