ROB BASE, HIP-HOP ARTIST BEHIND IT TAKES TWO, DIES AT 59 AFTER PRIVATE CANCER BATTLE. (PHOTO).

Rob Base, hip-hop artist behind It Takes Two, dies at 59 after private cancer battle

Rob Base, the hip-hop artist best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two” with DJ E-Z Rock, has died at age 59 after a private battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully on Friday, surrounded by family, according to a statement shared on his social media account.

The statement described Base as a foundational figure in hip-hop whose music and energy helped define a generation and brought joy to millions worldwide. It also noted that beyond his career, he was a devoted father, family man, friend, and creative force whose legacy would endure. The message concluded with a tribute thanking him for the music and memories that became a soundtrack for fans.

Born Robert Ginyard, Base rose to prominence in the late 1980s with DJ E-Z Rock through the release of “It Takes Two,” a track built around a sample of Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It)” that became a defining party anthem of the era. The song was featured on the duo’s debut album of the same name and reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988, helping the record achieve platinum status. The album also included tracks such as “Joy and Pain” and “Get on the Dance Floor.”

The success of “It Takes Two” influenced generations of artists, with elements of the song later sampled in tracks by performers including Snoop Dogg, Gang Starr, and others. Following the duo’s early success, Base and DJ E-Z Rock eventually parted ways before reuniting in 1994 for their final album, “Break of Dawn.”

DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes. Base previously reflected on their long friendship, recalling that they met in grade school in Harlem and describing his partner as a talented DJ who was widely loved for his personality and ability to connect with others.

Base released his only solo studio album, “The Incredible Base,” in 1989, which reached No. 50 on the Billboard 200 and No. 20 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Just days before his death, he had celebrated his 59th birthday on social media, expressing gratitude for another year of life.