by Will Herring (GamePro)-- I'm still not entirely sure how to put Def Jam Rapstar into words, as "karaoke" really doesn't do the title justice. Above and beyond a typical Friday night bar scene, the musical machination by British-based developer 4mm manages to capture the essence of what hip-hop is all about: the battles, the beefs, and of course - the swagger.

Go 'head get down

Def Jam Rapstar gives players a chance to get on the mic and test their hip-hop mettle alongside some of rap's biggest names - and trust me when I say that there's something for everyone. While contemporary artists such as Kanye West and Young Jeezy are in full effect, players will also be treated to legendaries such as Notorious B.I.G. and Big Daddy Kane himself. It doesn't matter if your flavor is Flo Rider or T.I.: this ever-expanding library of hip-hop heavyweights has to be seen to believed.

Def Jam Rapster is similar to Rock Band and Singstar as far as the vocal presentation goes, but the timing, pitch and pacing of each word, lyric and line is taken into expert consideration for each artist's distinct style. For example, going from West's "Gold Digger" to Biggie's "Hypnotize" is a drastic, but extremely fluid transition that keeps the rappers' separate styles, pitches and tempos consistent, making each song a completely new experience. Aside from tackling the hip-hop scene on your own, Def Jam Rapstar also totes what's probably my favorite feature: rap battles. With two mics, would-be-wordsmiths can switch off from verse to verse on any selected song in lyrical fight for bragging rights. Each battle ends with Rapstar judging teach players' timing and lyrical prowess, and rating their MC skills accordingly.

Aside from its astounding line of rap legends, Def Jam Rapstar utilizes plenty of peripherals that truly make you feel like you're part of a genuine hip-hop experience. During my tenure with Rapstar, I was able to capture myself via the Xbox 360's camera, then later edit my footage into a mini music video. From chroma-keying your living room background into a tropical beach to adding in lights and animated crowds for extra effect, Def Jam Rapstar can make your studio apartment feel like Madison Square with just a few clicks of your controller. One of the coolest features is the option to upload your finished video to the Rapstar community website via Xbox Live as soon as you finish recording it, allowing users to view, comment and rank your performance.

It's not just about the music...

Going even further into the community aspect, 4mm hopes that players will utilize this personalized aspect of Rapstar to create their own crews, costumes, rivalries, and even their own rhymes. Def Jam Rapstar comes packed with an assortment of original tracks, allowing gamers to lay down fresh rhymes for community approval. You think you're the next Hova? Step up to the mic and prove it!

With over thirty years of hip-hop history present - not to mention confirmed DLC to keep your playlist fresh - Def Jam Rapstar is turning out to be a must-own for rap fans old and new. B-boys and girls alike, be sure to keep your eyes peeled as Rapstar is scheduled to drop during this Winter season!