i have a ton of musical experience. i've been playing percussion (drums, marching snare, marimba/zylophone/vibraphone, etc.) since 6th grade and make beats/songs on the side. understanding music definitely helps your ability to cut and flow with the beat. i think each of the art forms feed and fuel each other. if i don't feel like cutting, i'll go do something else which usually inspires me to cut. but then again, people like toad and d aren't accomplished musicians.