The Harlem-born artist helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream during the late 1980s.
NEW YORK — Rob Base, the rapper best known for the 1988 crossover hit “It Takes Two,” has died at age 59 after what family members described as a private battle with cancer, ending a career that helped shape mainstream hip-hop music.
Base, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, died Friday surrounded by family, according to a statement posted to his official social media accounts. The announcement came just days after the rapper celebrated his 59th birthday. Family members said his music “helped shape a generation” and described him as a devoted father, performer and creative figure whose influence stretched far beyond the peak of his commercial success in the late 1980s.
Born and raised in Harlem, Base formed the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock with childhood friend Rodney “DJ E-Z Rock” Bryce. The pair first connected while attending school in New York City and later began recording music together during hip-hop’s rapid expansion in the 1980s. Their breakthrough came with “It Takes Two,” a high-energy single built around a heavily sampled rhythm from Lyn Collins’ 1972 song “Think (About It),” produced by James Brown.
The track became one of the defining party records of its era and pushed hip-hop further into mainstream radio, clubs and television. The song reached the Billboard Hot 100 and became a platinum-certified hit. Base’s opening lyrics — “I wanna rock right now” — became instantly recognizable across generations of rap listeners. The song continued to appear in films, television programs, commercials and sports arenas decades after its release, helping cement its status as one of hip-hop’s most enduring crossover records.
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock followed their success with songs including “Joy and Pain” and “Get on the Dance Floor.” While the duo never repeated the massive commercial impact of “It Takes Two,” they remained popular touring performers throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Base regularly appeared on nostalgia-focused concert tours celebrating classic hip-hop acts and continued performing into recent years. Fans often praised his energetic live sets and ability to recreate the atmosphere of late-1980s rap shows.
DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 due to complications linked to diabetes, leaving Base to carry the duo’s legacy as a solo performer. In interviews over the years, Base often spoke about the unexpected staying power of “It Takes Two,” saying the song continued to connect with younger audiences decades after its release. He also worked with younger artists through his company, Funky Base Inc., mentoring performers and producers influenced by early hip-hop culture.
Tributes from musicians, DJs and entertainment figures spread quickly across social media after news of Base’s death became public. DJ Kid Capri wrote that he had recently spoken with Base and did not know he had been ill. Producer Easy Mo Bee offered condolences to the rapper’s family and called him a major figure in hip-hop history. Other artists described the rapper as energetic, approachable and deeply respected within the music community.
Music historians have long credited “It Takes Two” with helping merge rap and dance music during a period when hip-hop was still fighting for mainstream acceptance. The song’s fast tempo, repeated vocal samples and club-ready production made it a staple at parties and sporting events. It also became one of the most sampled and referenced hip-hop songs of its generation, influencing artists across rap, pop and electronic music.
Even after the commercial height of his career, Base remained active on stage and continued appearing at live performances around the United States. Photos and videos from recent appearances showed him performing familiar hits to crowds made up of longtime fans and younger listeners who discovered the music years after its original release. Friends and collaborators said he remained passionate about performing until the end of his life.
The rapper’s family has not yet announced public memorial plans. Fans and fellow musicians continued sharing tributes over the weekend as the music industry reflected on the loss of one of hip-hop’s most recognizable voices from the genre’s golden era.
Author note: Last updated Monday, May 25, 2026.