Cover with vocals over a backing beat (8)
I believe the answer is:
wrapping
'a backing beat' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'cover with vocals' is the wordplay.
'cover' becomes 'wrap' (wrapping is a kind of covering).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'vocals' becomes 'ping' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'wrap'+'ping'='WRAPPING'
'over' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wrapping that I've seen before include "Covering, enclosing" , "Covering for warmth or protection" , "Covering material" , "Swaddling" , "Enfolding" .)