Rob Base, the influential rapper best known as one half of the groundbreaking hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59 following a private battle with cancer. He passed away on May 22, just days after celebrating his birthday, surrounded by close family.
Born Robert Ginyard Jr. on May 18, 1967, in Harlem, New York, Base grew up during the formative years of hip-hop. He met future collaborator DJ E-Z Rock in elementary school, and the two later reunited as teenagers with a shared ambition to break into music. Inspired by local rap collectives, they began experimenting with sound, blending rhythm-heavy beats with energetic, party-driven lyrics.
Their early recordings gained attention in New York’s club scene, culminating in the creation of their defining hit, “It Takes Two,” released in 1988. The song, produced in just a few days, became an instant success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart, and helped bridge hip-hop and house music for mainstream audiences. Additional hits like “Get on the Dance Floor” and “Joy and Pain” solidified their reputation as pioneers of dancefloor-oriented hip-hop.
Base’s influence extended far beyond chart success. “It Takes Two” became a cultural staple, widely sampled and referenced by artists including Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas, and featured in films such as The Proposal (2009) and Iron Man 2 (2010).
He released a solo album, The Incredible Base, in 1989 and later reunited with DJ E-Z Rock for 1994’s Break of Dawn. While not as commercially successful, he remained a respected figure in hip-hop history, celebrated for helping the genre reach mainstream audiences.
Rob Base is remembered not only for his musical contributions but also for his character—as a devoted father, loyal friend, and creative force whose work brought joy to millions worldwide. His passing follows the death of DJ E-Z Rock in 2014, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation, energy, and timeless music in hip-hop.