Amateur Keyboardist, percs (bongos, djembe drums) Once you grasp music theory, composition flows easier.
Primarily FL Studio, used it since version 3. Record vocals with Cubase and Reason.
Korg mini, MAudio, KRK 5's the usual room studio set up. At the recording studio a berhinger mixer, focusrite pre amp, Yamaha Monitors, Samson Condenser Mic etc etc, fully equipped with 4 bass guitars and a full drum set for the live recording sessions and instrumentalists.
I still have a semi massive collection of 90's rappers and a couple songs from now; Drake, Future, Lupe, Hopsin, OF, Nicki, Tink, Wayne, Shmurda on Ipod rotation. I hope to recommend artists I eventually develop and work with but go listen to some Enya, really good for your soul.
My fav albums in no order
All eyes on me - Pac
Stillmatic - Nas
Harlem World - Mase
Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
Ready 2 Die - Biggie
Enter The Wu - Wutang
The Score - Fugees
Doggystyle - Snoop
World War - BTNH
And Then There Was X - DMX
War and Peace - Ice Cube
Dude there's just too many depends on my mood @ any given moment.
I've always loved everything my parents listened to and they had an eclectic palette, from the commodores to Springsteen, from Phil Collins to Enya, from the Jacksons to Madonna, from Fela to Duke Ellington, from Eartha to Elvis, and everything in between. My teen years were primarily shaped by the gangster rap sounds and production of Dre and his team, Quick, Warren G, Daz, Alchemist, Dilla, Rilley, Pharell, Timbo, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock, Premiere, Stevie J, Johnny J etc anything to do with hip hop and R&B from the 90's I am heavily influenced by. My fav group, BTNH.
I try to be as unique as possible especially with the drums, most times I let the artists performance guide the sound and treat their vocals like the lead instrument. I have a little bit of Dre, Premiere, Timbo, Quick, T.Riley, and whoever produces in conjunction with Enya.
Work.