Rob Base, the rapper best known for the 1988 party anthem "It Takes Two," has died at the age of 59. The hip-hop legend passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer, according to a statement posted on Instagram.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born Robert Ginyard on May 18, 1967, in Harlem, New York, Base met his musical partner DJ E-Z Rock (real name Rodney "Skip" Bryce) in the fifth grade. The pair formed a duo as teenagers and released their debut single "DJ Interview," which helped them secure a recording contract with Profile Records in 1987.
Breakthrough with 'It Takes Two'
Their first release for Profile Records was "It Takes Two," which reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988. The song was built around a John "Jabo" Starks drum loop and two vocal samples from "Think (About It)," a 1972 track by James Brown associate Lyn Collins. The track became a party staple and has been sampled by artists including Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas, and featured in films such as The Proposal (2009) and Iron Man 2 (2010).
Subsequent Releases and Legacy
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock followed up with "Joy and Pain," based on the soul classic by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and the house-influenced "Get On The Dance Floor." Their 1988 debut album, also titled It Takes Two, sold over a million copies. Base released his sole studio album The Incredible Base in 1989 and reunited with E-Z Rock for 1994's Break of Dawn.
Personal Life
Base's first child, De'Jené Ginyard, was born in 1989 to his then-girlfriend Rhonda Dunbar. In 1991, he met his future wife April, and they had a son, Robert Ginyard Jr., the following year. They married and remained together until her death in September 2013. DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 at age 46.
The Instagram statement concluded: "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. Rest in Paradise, Rob Base."
