Rob Base, a member of the famous hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock from Harlem, has passed away at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer. Known by his real name Robert Ginyard, he rose to fame with the hit song “It Takes Two” in 1988, which combined hip-hop and house music and played a significant role in popularizing both genres.
In an announcement on his Instagram account, it was stated, “Rob’s music, charisma, and enduring influence resonated with a generation and brought happiness to countless people globally. Beyond his performances, he was a devoted father, family man, friend, and visionary whose imprint will endure.”
His musical partner, DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney (Skip) Bryce, passed away in 2014 at the age of 46 due to complications related to diabetes. The duo, who met in Harlem as fifth graders, drew inspiration from the success of the Crash Crew, another group from Harlem. They signed with Profile Records in 1987, an early hip-hop label.
Their breakout track, “It Takes Two,” achieved significant success, peaking at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and making its mark on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. The song, certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, has been sampled by various artists, including Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas, and featured in multiple films. Following this triumph, their subsequent single, “Get on the Dance Floor,” also made waves on the club songs chart.