I've made a handful of beats that my intention was to re-create the sound of someone who's been doing it for $. I personally wouldn't use them, but I never throw anything away that has potential. I put that joint on a cd and every underground emcee wants to use it. I make some beats for the masses, and I make some for myself as well.
I think it would pay off in the long run to be able to do both. Like, Rodney Jerkins originally came off sounding like a fake Timbo to me until he found his staccato-string niche. I try to learn from the masters, even copy them to figure them out, and then mold my own sound to my liking. I don't consider it riding someone's jock, like some people see it. I'm not going to meet dre or primo any time soon, so I can only learn by listening.
I would expect everyone on this board takes a lil from somebody, and that's ok. You can have a local hit that may sound like something a hot producer did, and that only shows your versatility.
IMHO, chameleons are dope.
-L
