‘It Takes Two’ Rapper Rob Base Dies At 59
Hip-hop artist Rob Base, best known for the 1988 hit It Takes Two, died at the age of 59 after battling cancer, a statement shared on his official Instagram account revealed Friday. His family reportedly kept details surrounding his illness private.
“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,” the statement read.
“Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives. Rest in Paradise, Rob Base. May 18, 1967 – May 22, 2026,” the statement concluded.
Rob Base’s death comes just days after he celebrated his birthday on May 18.
Who Was Rob Base?
Rob Base, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, moved from the Bronx to Harlem in New York City in fourth grade, where he attended public schools and developed a strong interest in music. Influenced by rap, he began performing at talent shows and frequently took part in open mic and hip-hop events, and also became classmates with DJ E-Z Rock.
He began his music career during the mid-1980s and later teamed up with DJ E-Z Rock to form the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. The pair became known for combining rap with dance-oriented production during hip-hop’s commercial rise.
The duo achieved mainstream success in 1988 with It Takes Two, which became one of the most recognizable hip-hop tracks of the era. The song prominently sampled Lyn Collins’ Think (About It) and gained popularity across clubs, radio stations, films, and sporting events.
Music historians and industry analysts have frequently credited the track with helping introduce hip-hop music to broader mainstream audiences during the late 1980s.
The song hit number three on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart, reached the Billboard R&B Chart and the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Following the success of their breakout hit, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock released songs including Joy and Pain and Get On the Dance Floor, both of which received airplay on urban and dance radio stations.
Although the duo did not replicate the commercial success of It Takes Two, Rob Base remained active in the music industry for decades. He regularly performed at old-school hip-hop concerts, festivals, and nostalgia-driven tours celebrating rap’s early years.
DJ E-Z Rock died on April 27, 2014, at the age of 46, after complications from diabetes.
Rob Base’s Relationships And Children
His first child was born in 1989 with his then-girlfriend, Rhonda Dunbar, during a relationship that lasted from 1986 to 1991. He later had a son with April, whom he met in 1991, and the couple also took guardianship of her cousin. They eventually married and remained together until April’s death in September 2013.
