Rob Base, “It Takes Two” Rapper and Songwriter, Dies at 59
Legendary rapper and songwriter Rob Base, best known for the iconic 1980s hit It Takes Two, has died at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer.
Rob Base, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, passed away on May 18, only a few days after celebrating his 59th birthday. The news was confirmed through a statement shared on his official Instagram account.
According to the post, the Harlem-born artist died peacefully while surrounded by his family after privately fighting cancer.
“Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives,” the statement read.
It also honored the rapper’s lasting influence on music and pop culture, saying that his energy, creativity, and legacy helped define a generation and brought happiness to fans across the globe.
Beyond his music career, the statement described Rob Base as a devoted father, caring family man, loyal friend, and a creative talent whose impact would continue to be remembered.
Rob Base rose to fame as one half of the hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock. The pair became household names in 1988 after releasing their breakout single It Takes Two.
The track quickly became a massive success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. It later earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Over the years, It Takes Two became one of hip-hop’s most recognizable songs. The hit was sampled by major artists including Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas. It also appeared in several pop culture favorites, including the 2009 romantic comedy The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.
The song was additionally featured in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in 2004, helping introduce the classic track to a new generation of listeners.
Following news of his death, tributes from fans and celebrities quickly flooded social media.
Comedian Dane Cook shared his condolences on X, writing that Rob Base was “internationally known” and praising the rapper for creating one of his favorite songs of all time.
NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders also paid tribute, offering prayers to Rob Base’s family and calling him a legend.
Rob Base’s longtime collaborator DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney Bryce, died in 2014 at the age of 56 due to complications related to diabetes.
According to Rolling Stone, Base and Bryce first became friends while attending fourth grade together. Their musical partnership eventually led to the release of their debut single DJ Interview in 1986 before they achieved worldwide fame with It Takes Two.
In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Rob Base reflected on how unexpectedly the legendary song came together.
He explained that the duo had been searching through records at a friend’s house shortly before heading into the studio without any prepared material. After discovering a Lyn Collins sample they liked, they quickly built the track around it.
Base admitted at the time that neither he nor DJ E-Z Rock expected the song to become such a huge crossover hit.
Even decades after its release, It Takes Two remains one of hip-hop’s most influential party anthems, securing Rob Base’s place in music history.
