Rapper Rob Base, of the iconic hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, died on May 22 following a battle with cancer. He was 59.
Rob Base, born Robert Ginyard, celebrated his 59th birthday on May 18.
“Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world. Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten,” reads a statement on his Instagram account. “Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.”
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock are best known for their hip-hop classic “It Takes Two” (1998).
DJ E-Z Rock died from complications of diabetes in 2014.
“It Takes Two” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988. The music video was in heavy rotation on music video channels in the 1980s and beyond.
In the decades since, “It Takes Two” has been sampled by many rappers and used in films and documentaries.
“There are many critics and listeners who claim that Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s ‘It Takes Two’ is the greatest hip-hop single ever cut,” wrote music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic. “It’s hard to disagree with them.”
In a 2023 interview with Medium, Rob Base described how “It Takes Two” came together.
“We went in the studio and was able to complete it in a day. I remember us thinking we made a song just for our hood, never knowing it would become ‘internationally known’.”
Rob Base continued performing on the “I Love the ’90s Tour” alongside acts like Vanilla Ice and Young MC.
He told Medium: “My career has been amazing. I have spent the last 35 years doing what I love and I always want to stay humble and be appreciative of every person that loves me and my music.”