I like the strings. This is straight. I would have used a softer snare. It really sticks out to me in the mix. Maybe it's just a volume thing. If the hits that weren't on the 2 and 4 were softer, maybe that would help. I would have used the tapestop effect less. I think it'd be cooler if it only came in every once in a while and was something to look forward to or catch you by surprise. This is
straight though. A little cheesy and happy for my tastes but not bad. I can't really put it into words, but it does sound like you're new to making rap beats. A lot of the dubstep, hardstyle, bass type of techno guys make the transition pretty well but I find that a lot of people who make other genres then move into rap make beats like this that are super melodic (not that a rap beat can't be melodic) and really bright and cheerful sounding with no mean/street edge to it.
I think "I Can" by Nas is a good example of a beat that is really cheerful (it's got kids singing on it for crying out loud) but there's
elements that give it a little mean streak/street edge/hardness (the break beat) that I think is a defining trait about a rap beat regardless of whether it's trap, old school boom bap, west coast, etc. Good start though. You've got a lot of the basics down.
Check me out when you get a chance.