Rob Base of Hip-Hop Duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock Dies at 59
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Rob Base, one half of the influential hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has died at age 59 following a private battle with cancer. He died on May 22, surrounded by family, just days after celebrating his 59th birthday. Base was best known for the 1988 hit 'It Takes Two', which helped bring hip-hop and house music to the mainstream.
Facts First
- Rob Base died at age 59 on May 22 after a battle with cancer.
- He was one half of the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, known for the 1988 hit 'It Takes Two'.
- The song 'It Takes Two' reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
- The duo was instrumental in bringing hip-hop and house music to the mainstream in the 1980s.
- Base's musical partner, DJ E-Z Rock, died in 2014 from complications of diabetes.
What Happened
Rob Base, born Robert Ginyard, died on May 22 at age 59 following a private battle with cancer. He had celebrated his 59th birthday four days prior. Base was best known as one half of the Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, whose 1988 hit 'It Takes Two' blended hip-hop and house music.
Why this Matters to You
If you grew up with or enjoy the sound of 80s and 90s hip-hop and dance music, you have likely been influenced by Rob Base's work. The song 'It Takes Two' has been sampled by major artists like Snoop Dogg and The Black Eyed Peas and featured in films like 'Iron Man 2'. His passing marks the loss of a foundational figure from an era that shaped modern popular music.
What's Next
The music community is likely to honor his legacy. Base had remained active in the industry, performing on nostalgia tours like the 'I Love the 90's Tour' as recently as 2022 and running his production company, Funky Base, Inc., to work with new artists. His final credited work was as executive producer on the 2023 horror film 'Urban Flesh Eaters'.