Like many other things in music though, those are only guidelines and certainly not rules to live by.
Experimentation is your best friend man!
I cosign this statement.
I have found eminem(dre) tracks to be at 110bpms some timbaland to be at 130 bpms, even Pete Rock & Cl Smooth - The Creator(one of my top tracks of all time) is way up there for tempo near to 120 if I remember right.
I usually stick between 76 to 100, but then if a sample sounds real good fast, then I go with it, and just hope an emcee can go with it too.
The most popular producers have always been the ones that did something different from everyone else, that had their own unique sound, experimentation is key to finding your own.
Timbaland pretty much changed the face of rnb with his style of percussion at the 130 tempo. It was unique and totally original at the time. Dj Muggs had his own unique sound, Preemo, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Dre, RZA all with easily recognisable styles, so much that you can hear a beat and say so and so made it before you even know for sure, this sorta became a little game where Id test myself, guess the producer, I got pretty good at it.
Its okay to just listen to music, but to get a better understanding of the way it was contructed and the sounds used together, you have to really study a beat.
Theres plenty of music out there to break down and study, your favorite tracks is the best place to start.
If you are really new to beatmaking which your question suggests, then try to stick around 90bpms, its a good medium, not too fast nor slow.
