I agree with Bluezplayer.. If you want to compose hip hop you're better off with something like a Triton, Motif, Fantom, ect. Arrangers are good, but you'll need full control over voice editing, a dihard sequencer that allow you to pattern chain, and a indepth voice soundset like you'd find on the upper end synths/workstations. One thing you might consider is something that is truly dedicated to rap, hip hop, and R&B.. An awsome machine for this would be the E-Mu MP-7. That little beast is nice, and the price is really good.. It will give youa soundset that is designed for that type of music. Plus it has 128 poly, 16 tracks for recording, voice editing.. A CRAP LOAD of real time control. It's not a keyboard, but a production station.. However you can midi a keyboard up to it to control the sounds.. It does have a full octave of velocity sensitive pads that even respond to aftertouch. It's a great machine, and if I was still writing hip hop 90% of the time like I used to when I was living on campus at school I would have bought one for myself by now.

Squeak