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Hip-Hop Pioneer Rob Base Dies at 59
23 May
Summary
- Rob Base, known for 'It Takes Two,' died of cancer.
- His iconic 1988 hit song helped mainstream hip-hop and house.
- His DJ partner, E-Z Rock, passed away in 2014.
Robert Ginyard, widely known as Rob Base, has passed away at 59 after a courageous fight with cancer. He was a seminal figure in hip-hop, co-founding the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock.
The duo met in fifth grade in Harlem and were inspired by fellow local artists. Their 1988 single 'It Takes Two,' a fusion of hip-hop and house, achieved significant success, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and dance charts.
This groundbreaking track not only achieved platinum status but also introduced both genres to a mainstream audience. Its influence is evident through samples by subsequent artists and its inclusion in various films.
Their subsequent hit, 'Get on the Dance Floor,' also performed strongly on club charts. Sadly, his musical collaborator, DJ E-Z Rock, died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes.
