Would it make a difference? [1st Edit] (Strong language used)

[Weeded]

 Sometimes I feel it's hard to hear my own voice in my head because it's drowned out by all the voices of musicians, rappers, writers, etc. that I love. I tend to gravitate a style of someone else that's similar to the style I'm writing. 

This is the biggest problem I had/am still having. I hear a beat and think "damn this sounds like somethin [enter rappers name] would go over." I then proceed to write to their voice, not mine. The only thing that can stop this is reciting aloud. That's the primary difference between rap and poetry is poetry does not need to be recited aloud to be appreciated where rap does.

I know rappers always think they've got a handle on "the beat", but I guarantee if you learn about meter and other poetic forms, your rapping will improve.

This. The study of meter will bring your rapping to a whole new level. That on top of other key elements of poetry; enjambment is one of them for me. If you can successfully apply this in rap you can create sum pretty crazy flows. And I'm not sure the term for this, but just way of saying something poetically different- thats the key.

You can though.  We see hundreds of "rappers" crash and burn here every year, because they already think they know how it's done and assume that cliche and crap content is enough.

Unfortunately over here in the States cliche crap is thriving. The Chiraq Movement is basically shitting on the Higher Consciousness Movement. I would say just figure out who you are tho and dont worry about catering to any audience. The best and most successful artists are what they are because they truly love music, soul is #1 don't forget that. The greats always gotta song u never heard before, because they dedicated their life to the craft and stayed in the studio. Majority of these rappers crash and burn cuz they're in the game for the wrong reasons, be it money status or women. Just keep it a hunnid an you'll be gold.