Veteran rapper Rob Base, one-half of the iconic rap duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59 following a private battle with cancer. The Harlem-born artist passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to a statement shared Thursday.
Born Robert Ginyard, Rob Base became one of the defining voices of late 1980s hip hop after teaming up with childhood friend DJ E-Z Rock. The pair first met in the fifth grade while growing up in Harlem before eventually building a music career together from homemade demos and local performances into global success.
His family described him in an Instagram tribute as a “loving father, friend and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten.” News of his death arrived just days after he celebrated his 59th birthday.
Rob Base is best remembered for the duo’s breakout 1988 single “It Takes Two,” a high-energy rap anthem that became one of the most recognizable songs in hip hop history. Built around a sample of Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It),” the record crossed over from rap radio into mainstream pop culture and helped introduce hip hop to wider audiences during a pivotal era for the genre.
The song’s influence stretched far beyond its original release. Over the years, “It Takes Two” has been sampled, referenced and replayed across films, commercials, sporting events and club playlists, while artists including Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas later borrowed elements of its sound. The duo also found success with records like “Joy and Pain” and “Get on the Dance Floor.”
After DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes, Rob Base continued performing around the country on nostalgia tours including the popular “I Love the ’90s Tour.” He also spent recent years mentoring younger artists through his company, Funky Base, Inc.
Rob Base’s death marks the loss of another foundational figure from hip hop’s golden era, but his music remains permanently woven into the culture’s soundtrack.
