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Rob Base, ‘It Takes Two’ Icon, Dies at 59

5/24/2026

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Summary

Rob Base Dies

Rob Base (Robert Ginyard), the U.S. rapper, died on May 22 at age 59 after battling cancer.
His 1988 single “It Takes Two” achieved multi-platinum status and helped advance hip-hop and house music.
The song’s opening bars remain iconic and have been sampled by artists such as the Black Eyed Peas and Snoop Dogg.
He met future collaborator DJ E-Z Rock in fourth grade, a friendship that later formed the duo.

Summary

Rob Base Produces

Rob Base served as executive producer for the 2025 horror film *Urban Flesh Eaters*.
He performed on the “I Love the ’90s Tour” alongside Vanilla Ice, All-4-One and Young MC.
The tour celebrated 1990s pop and hip-hop nostalgia.
“It Takes Two” reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart.
After the demo, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock signed with Profile Records and issued his only solo album, *The Incredible Base*, in 1989.

Summary

Rob Base Passes

He had been scheduled to perform on the Rock The Bells cruise later in 2026, a boat tour featuring hip-hop acts.
DJ Jazzy Jeff posted a tribute and Fat Joe expressed condolences on social media.
Base marked his 59th birthday on Instagram days before his death, thanking God using a praying-hands emoji.
He is survived by his two children, De’Jene Ginyard and Robert Ginyard Jr., per the family statement.

Summary

Rob Base Mentors

Rob Base died on May 22, 2026 after privately battling stage 4 lung cancer.
During his final years he toured the worldwide “I Love the ’90s Tour” while mentoring emerging hip-hop artists in studio techniques and performance advice.
He said his live shows were intended to keep the golden-era hip-hop energy alive for new audiences.

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Rob Base Dies

Rob Base (Robert Ginyard), the U.S. rapper, died on May 22 at age 59 after battling cancer.
His 1988 single “It Takes Two” achieved multi-platinum status and helped advance hip-hop and house music.
The song’s opening bars remain iconic and have been sampled by artists such as the Black Eyed Peas and Snoop Dogg.
He met future collaborator DJ E-Z Rock in fourth grade, a friendship that later formed the duo.

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