years, probly. hard to say. at first, all producers are just a product of their influences, IMO. only until you really start making records does a style emerge, i think. i started in 97; it wasnt til maybe 2003 or so that anyone said "you've got a style". i never wanted one. i wanted to be a chameleon, no 2 records sounding the same. it was dissappointing when people started telling me that. i made rap records. then i got into doing my own thing. i still feel like im constantly chasing new ghosts, to be honest......
for the young cats:
i would only sweat this issue if you are constantly compared to one guy. if you love timbo, and everything you make sounds like him, thats ok for now, but what you want to do is to find OTHER guys you idolize, and start imitating ALL of them. this is how people come up with their "own" style, even though its all just a redux of what you like....