Hip-Hop Icon Rob Base, of Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Passes Away at 59
Robert Ginyard, known to the world as Rob Base, the voice behind the iconic hip-hop anthem 'It Takes Two,' has died at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. His music shaped a generation.
The hip-hop world mourns the loss of Rob Base, the New York rapper celebrated for his timeless hit "It Takes Two." According to Variety, Base, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, passed away on May 22, 2026, just four days after his birthday, following a private battle with cancer. He was 59.
A message was posted to Base's Instagram account:
Today, we share the heartbreaking news that hip hop legend Rob Base passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer. ?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.
Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.
Born in 1967, Rob Base emerged from Harlem in the mid-1980s alongside DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney "Skip" Bryce). They quickly made a name for themselves with early singles like “DJ Interview” and “Make It Hot." In 1987, the duo signed with Profile Records, a prominent New York rap label, and in 1988, they unleashed "It Takes Two."
Built upon a sample of James Brown and Lyn Collins' "Think (About It)," "It Takes Two" exploded onto the scene with Base's unforgettable opening: "I wanna rock right now/ I'm Rob Base, and I came to get down." The song became a #36 pop hit and a #3 smash on the dance charts. Achieving platinum status, it became a staple at dance parties for decades. Its influence is undeniable, appearing in countless movies and TV shows and sampled endlessly. It's a foundational piece of hip-hop and pop culture.
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock followed up "It Takes Two" with an album of the same name, featuring subsequent dance hits like "Get On The Dance Floor" and "Joy And Pain." In 1989, The Incredible Base was released, credited solely to Rob Base. However, when their third album, Break Of Dawn, arrived in 1994, it was once again released under the banner of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. A one-off single, "Ready 2 Party," was released in 1999.
Sadly, DJ E-Z Rock passed away in 2014 due to complications from diabetes. In recent years, Rob Base participated in the I Love the 90’s Tour, worked as a producer on the horror film Urban Flesh Eaters, and headed up the production company Funky Base, Inc.
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