Rob Base, the rapper who formed one half of the influential Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 59 years old.
A Legacy of Hip-Hop and House Music
Born Robert Ginyard, Base rose to fame with the 1988 chart-topping single "It Takes Two," a groundbreaking fusion of hip-hop and house music that helped propel both genres into the mainstream. The song became an anthem and remains a staple in clubs and pop culture.
"Rob's music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world," read a statement posted on his Instagram account announcing his death. "Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten."
Partnership with DJ E-Z Rock
Base's creative partner, Rodney "Skip" Bryce, known professionally as DJ E-Z Rock, died in 2014 at age 46 due to complications from diabetes. The two met as fifth-grade students in Harlem and were inspired to pursue music by the success of another Harlem group, Crash Crew. In 1987, they signed with Profile Records, one of the earliest hip-hop labels.
The following year, "It Takes Two" entered the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. The track has since been sampled by numerous artists, including Snoop Dogg and The Black Eyed Peas, and has appeared in several films. It earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
The duo's follow-up single, "Get on the Dance Floor," also achieved notable success on the club songs chart, further cementing their place in music history.
