Hip hop pioneer Rob Base has died at the age of 59 following a fight with cancer.
Born Robert Ginyard, the Harlem-bred rapper passed away peacefully Friday while surrounded by loved ones, according to his family. His death came just days after he celebrated his 59th birthday.
In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, relatives described him as a loving father, loyal friend and a “creative force whose impact will never be forgotten.”
Rob Base rose to fame alongside late partner DJ E-Z Rock as one-half of the influential rap duo behind the 1988 smash “It Takes Two.” The record became one of hip hop’s defining crossover anthems, helping push the genre deeper into mainstream pop culture.
Over the years, the song’s legacy only grew stronger, with artists including Snoop Dogg and The Black Eyed Peas later sampling the iconic track. The duo also earned recognition for party staples like “Joy and Pain” and “Get on the Dance Floor.”
Rob and E-Z Rock’s journey began long before fame found them. The two first connected as fifth graders growing up in Harlem and eventually turned their friendship into a music career, recording early demos together while building their name from scratch.
Even decades after dominating radio airwaves, Rob remained active onstage, performing for nostalgic crowds on the “I Love the ’90s Tour” alongside performers such as Vanilla Ice and Young MC.
Away from the spotlight, he also focused on developing new talent through his company, Funky Base, Inc.
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