for hiphop sound you dont need much. I was really shocked at the output of a friend using a marshall v67 mic into a m-audio dmp2 pre. It sounded amazing even though the total price was about $200.
The more important stuff imho would be your conversion and your effects. A lucid converter and a Lexicon pcm81 fx box or a T.C m2000 should take you where a mic and pre cant.
i'd stay away from recording units. just crappy excuses for gear.
Get a computer, get some good converters (the 828's are fine) get a good audio program such as logic, digital performer 3 or cubase... get some plugins, if you need a mic pre, i'd suggest getting a cheap mackie 1202vlz pro with the XDR pre's ... unless you only need one preamp then i'd suggest getting something pretty darn good like a high end joe meek or maybe an avalon 737sp ... mic, i'd get a NT1000, or a Studio Projects C1... or whatever mic sounds best on your voice.
Then you can record all day, edit with ease, have virtually unlimited tracks and mix to the ability of your computer.
My prices were obviously guesses..... Some people here would naturally search it up and post links and proper pricing.. But unfortunately I work for a living and don't have much time...
Yeah alot of them were off.....
And,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
About the Gear... remember this is totally about personal preference..... That is basically my system... (minus the pre.. which is the Focusrite ISA 430)