T.I. was arrested and charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness after getting into a "heated" argument with the security guard at his gated community at 4 AM this morning.

He bonded out shortly after being brought in, and was able to speak to The Blast about the incident.

T.I. says he called out the guard for sleeping on the job and an argument ensued between the two.  He says it was a “very heated debate,” but nothing ever became physical.  He says the guard eventually called the police, but says the law enforcement near his home are “white cops in a very white area,” and he was promptly arrested.

The artist tells us the security guard involved in the argument is black, which added to the frustration of the situation.  He says he gave the guard “every opportunity” to apologize for sleeping, but the guy refused.

T.I. is adamant that the guard was the aggressor and “antagonized” him.  He says he demanded the guard’s name, but the guy refused.

Tip's lawyer also issued a statement.

Police say T.I. didn't have the key to his home and pulled a "do you know who I am" on the security guard.