i'd like to consider myself a seasoned vet. Finding a friend who will join you in rhyme is great. It's good to perform in front of somebody and build off of each other's lines and energy. Also, I recommend having a few drinks but that's just my personal style, haha.

What I always tell people who are starting out is don't even bother rhyming really. Just say something in RHYTHM to the beat. That is the most important thing about rhyming in my humble opinion. Just talk over the beat with rhythm and eventually you'll notice you start to rhyme anyway. Even now when I freestyle, I don't worry about what i'm gonna rhyme with. I concentrate more on what i'm saying and how i'm saying it. The rhyme will sort itself out.

definitely get yourself a collection of instrumentals. And again, have drinks, have friends join you and have fun.