Making loops is pretty easy to do, why would you want to barrow someone else's beats when you can make your own? I make my own. The whole point in composition is to be creative, and make something unique, and different. I generally try new things all the time, and mix and match new melodies.
Start off with some good bass, with a short melody loop, and a few mixed drum samples, and you're pretty set to go. I'd like to think that modern hip-hop is best played now, with an awesome bass line, maybe some dj scratches added, with maybe 3-4 breaks per song. I'm working on a hiphop theme for a friend of mine in California, and I am working on a new age song, with a touch of ethnic percussion.
