Rap star Rob Base, known for the iconic hip-hop song It Takes Two, has died at 59 after a private battle with cancer. The musician passed away surrounded by family, just days after his 59th birthday. His music legacy will be deeply felt in the hip-hop community.
Rob Base, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, created the hit song with his musical partner DJ E-Z Rock in the 1980s. It Takes Two is credited with helping to bring hip-hop to mainstream success in dance clubs and the pop charts. The song quickly climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and was later certified platinum.
It Takes Two Legacy
The track has been sampled by Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas, and appeared in films like the 2009 hit romantic comedy The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. It was also featured in the iconic video game series Grand Theft Auto in its San Andreas release in 2004. Base’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world.
Base was part of a hip-hop duo with DJ E-Z Rock, a musical force that sprung to fame in 1988 with the release of It Takes Two. The two musicians became friends in the fourth grade and released their first single, DJ Interview, in 1986. Base told Rolling Stone in a 2014 interview that the song’s creation was spontaneous and that he was shocked by its success.
Reactions and Tributes
Tributes began pouring in for Base on Friday evening, with comedian Dane Cook writing, “He WAS internationally known and he DID rock the microphone.” NFL Hall-of-Fame football star Deion Sanders also paid his respects, saying, “Prayers to Rob Base entire family and loved ones. He was a legend to me.” DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney Bryce, died in April 2014 from diabetes-related complications, aged 56.
The loss of Rob Base serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of hip-hop on American music and culture. His legacy will continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans, cementing his place in the history of hip-hop.
