Does This Route Make Sense For An Aspiring Producer?

Sometime in the future I plan to produce rap/hip hop beats using a digital audio workstation (Reason or Logic Pro) and a 61 key MIDI keyboard. My path begins with learning how to play a regular 61 key keyboard of course. I'm trying to figure out if that route makes sense for people that are currently producers, and also, how much time should I spend on the regular 61 key keyboard and what level of proficiency should I be at before I go out and actually buy the MIDI keyboard and start making beats? Thank you.

Do irregular 61 key keyboards exist too?

You don't have to have great keyboard skills to use a keyboard in helping you compose, and if you're seriously interested in music and composition then get a one as soon as you can. Go with an 88 key keyboard; mine has 61 keys and every time I sit down to play an 88 key one I realize just how much I'm missing.