May 22, (THEWILL) — Rob Base, one-half of the iconic hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock and best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” has died at 59.
He passed away on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer, just four days after his birthday.
“Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world,” his family said in a statement on his social media account.
“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 Robert Ginyard in 1967 in Harlem, New York, he met DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney “Skip” Bryce) in fifth grade. Inspired by local rap groups, they formed a duo as teens and quickly gained attention with early singles “DJ Interview” and “Make It Hot.”
They signed with Profile Records in 1987 and released “It Takes Two” in 1988, which sampled James Brown and Lyn Collins and became a platinum hit.
The song reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and has since become an iconic hit, sampled by artists like Snoop Dogg and Black-Eyed Peas and featured in films such as “The Proposal” and “Iron Man 2.”
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock also released the albums “It Takes Two” (1988) and “Break of Dawn” (1994).
DJ E-Z Rock passed away in 2014 from complications of diabetes.
In recent years, Base performed on the “I Love the 90’s Tour,” ran his production company Funky Base, Inc., and produced the horror film “Urban Flesh Eaters.”
Rob Base’s music and influence left a lasting mark on hip-hop and pop culture, inspiring fans and artists for generations.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
