Rob Base Dies at 59 After Private Cancer Battle
Rob Base died at 59 on May 22 after a private battle with cancer. The rapper, born Robert Ginyard, was surrounded by family. His death closes the career of one-half of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, the duo behind 'It Takes Two.'
It Takes Two and No. 3
'It Takes Two' reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988, while the duo’s debut album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Base and DJ E-Z Rock helped cross-pollinate hip-hop and house music in the 1980s, and the song kept moving well beyond that moment.
The track was later sampled by Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas, and it turned up in 'The Proposal' in 2009 and 'Iron Man 2' in 2010. Those placements kept the record in circulation long after its chart run ended, which is why Base’s death lands as more than a nostalgia note.
Harlem to Profile Records
Ginyard was born on May 18, 1967, and met E-Z Rock in the fifth grade while growing up in Harlem. The pair formed their duo after seeing the Crash Crew release a record, then built early buzz with 'DJ Interview' and 'Make It Hot' before making the demo for 'It Takes Two' in about two nights. That demo led to a deal with Profile Records.
Base kept working after the duo’s first run. He released 'The Incredible Base' in November 1989, reunited with E-Z Rock for 'Break of Dawn' in 1994, and remained active on the 'I Love the 90's Tour' alongside Vanilla Ice, All-4-One, Young MC and others.
Family, legacy, and Funky Base
A social media statement said, 'Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world.' It also described him as 'a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten.' That language fits the record: Base was still performing, still producing, and still working through Funky Base, Inc. before his death.
DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 from complications of diabetes, leaving Base as the last surviving half of a duo that helped move hip-hop into broader pop and dance rotation. Last year, he also served as executive producer on the horror film 'Urban Flesh Eaters,' a final reminder that he kept a hand in both performance and production right to the end.
