Yes the SP12 was and is revered by hiphop artists. The MPC has a groove to it that other sequencers do not have - I do not know if this is a subjective or objective opinion though. Other than that it is just a sampler with trigger pads and a sequencer, bought by the hiphop guys, many of whom were not musicians, as it was the only thing that did it at the time and Akai had become the industry standard in sampling not because they were the best but because they were the first cheap sampler that took off, just the same as ADAT. So as the PA1X does have a sampler and a sequencer that hiphop sound seems to be in reach if you can get the groove right - the sound creation obviously not being a problem either - shame that there are no decent hiphop styles bu that it wad the MC909, Korg Electribe series is all about. Commercially it might not make sense for these products to overlap too much so that they can sell more product. (I have an MC909 - and I am buying an arranger - ooops fell foul of their corporate strategy!)