Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Rapper Rob Base Dies of Cancer, “It Takes Two” Icon

5/23/2026

42 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Rob Base (rapper Robert Ginyard) died on May 22, 2026 after a private battle with cancer.
He produced the 2025 horror film “Urban Flesh Eaters” and ran Funky Base, Inc.
His 1988 single “It Takes Two” hit No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and went platinum.
The track was sampled by Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas and used in “The Proposal” (2009) and “Iron Man 2” (2010).

History

Historical Context

Emerging from Harlem, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock released the 1988 platinum single “It Takes Two,” a No. 3 Hot Dance hit built on Lyn Collins’ 1972 “Think (About It)” sample, pioneering rap’s crossover into mainstream and later sampled by the Black Eyed Peas in 2009. Their May 22 2026 death highlights how early chart success drives ongoing catalog monetization.

1 of 2

Story summary

Rob Base (rapper Robert Ginyard) died on May 22, 2026 after a private battle with cancer.
He produced the 2025 horror film “Urban Flesh Eaters” and ran Funky Base, Inc.
His 1988 single “It Takes Two” hit No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and went platinum.
The track was sampled by Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas and used in “The Proposal” (2009) and “Iron Man 2” (2010).

1 / 2