Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleObit Rob Base (2022 Invision)Hip-hop legend Rob Base, widely recognised for the 1988 party anthem "It Takes Two", passed away peacefully on 22 May 2026 at the age of 59, following a private battle with cancer. His death was announced through an Instagram statement, which celebrated his profound impact on a generation through his music, energy, and legacy, also noting his role as a loving father and family man. Born Robert Ginyard, he formed a musical duo with DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney "Skip" Bryce), whom he met in Harlem, and they secured a recording contract with Profile Records in 1987. Their debut release for the label, "It Takes Two", became a significant hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988 and has since been extensively sampled and featured in various films. Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock continued their success with tracks such as "Joy and Pain" and "Get On The Dance Floor", selling over a million copies of their 1988 debut album, also titled It Takes Two. In fullRob Base, rapper behind hip-hop anthem ‘It Takes Two’, dies at 59Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Hip-hop legend dies aged 59 after private battle with cancer
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleObit Rob Base (2022 Invision)Hip-hop legend Rob Base, widely recognised for the 1988 party anthem "It Takes Two", passed away peacefully on 22 May 2026 at the age of 59, following a private battle with cancer. His death was announced through an Instagram statement, which celebrated his profound impact on a generation through his music, energy, and legacy, also noting his role as a loving father and family man. Born Robert Ginyard, he formed a musical duo with DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney "Skip" Bryce), whom he met in Harlem, and they secured a recording contract with Profile Records in 1987. Their debut release for the label, "It Takes Two", became a significant hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988 and has since been extensively sampled and featured in various films. Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock continued their success with tracks such as "Joy and Pain" and "Get On The Dance Floor", selling over a million copies of their 1988 debut album, also titled It Takes Two. In fullRob Base, rapper behind hip-hop anthem ‘It Takes Two’, dies at 59Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
