Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock rapper Rob Base, best known for the 1988 hit It Takes Two, has died at the age of 59. A statement posted on the rapper’s social media accounts said he died on 22 May after a private battle with cancer, surrounded by family. His death came four days after his 59th birthday.
“Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world,” the statement said. “Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten.”
Born Robert Ginyard in Harlem, New York, on 18 May 1967, Base met future collaborator DJ E-Z Rock while they were in fifth grade. Inspired by local hip-hop acts, the pair formed a duo as teenagers, with Base buying a microphone while E-Z Rock invested in turntables and a mixer.
After gaining local attention with tracks including “DJ Interview” and “Make It Hot”, the pair recorded a demo of “It Takes Two”, which led to a deal with Profile Records.
Released in 1988, “It Takes Two” became one of the defining hip-hop tracks of its era, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. The duo followed it with other hits including “Get on the Dance Floor” and “Joy and Pain”.
Their debut album, It Takes Two, peaked at number four on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Over the years, “It Takes Two” remained a widely sampled and influential song, appearing in films such as The Proposal and Iron Man 2 and being referenced by artists including Snoop Dogg and Black Eyed Peas.
After releasing his solo album The Incredible Base in 1989, Base reunited with E-Z Rock for the 1994 album “Break of Dawn”, although it achieved limited commercial success.
E-Z Rock died in 2014 from complications linked to diabetes.
In recent years, Base continued touring as part of the “I Love the 90’s Tour”, performing alongside artists including Vanilla Ice, All-4-One and Young MC.
He also operated a production company, Funky Base, Inc., supporting emerging artists, and served as executive producer on the horror film “Urban Flesh Eaters”, released last year.