I'm a younger producer, onlooking college. I've started producing basic beats when I was 11, and then progressively started being dedicated to my craft when I turned 16, and to where I am now I can comfortably say I'm an experienced producer with a different sound, the only issue I've ever had is in my mastering stage where my conditions and equipment aren't good enough to get accurate references.
Drums (I play pretty good), piano (ehh, basic melodies but certainly no moonlight sonata)
(Top Secret) :)
Alllllll software except my MPK Mini II, and a TTX-USB Turntable for vinyl.
Gang Starr, more specifically I'm re-listening to their Flip the Script album. Highly recommended of course.
Illmatic, Step in The Arena, Flip The Script, Hard to Earn, The Chronic, too many to choose from so many classics.
DJ Premier, Pete Rock, J Dilla, Q-Tip, Dr. Dre, DJ Shadow, Metro Boomin, etcetera.
My music sounds like me. I like to try and get gritty boom bap sound because that's my favorite genre to produce, I can also do newer trap-rap sounds because those are always fun. In the end I can't exactly liken my sound to other producers, It's quite possible I haven't searched quite hard enough yet but I'd argue I have a unique sound that I'm still developing.
Work, and go to school, of course!