Rob Base, the pioneering rapper best known for the 1988 hit 'It Takes Two' with DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59. A statement shared on his official Instagram confirmed he passed away peacefully on Friday, surrounded by family, after a private battle with cancer. Born Robert Ginyard, Base rose to fame in the late 1980s with the release of the iconic track, which sampled Lyn Collins' 'Think (About It)' and became a defining party anthem of the era. The song helped propel their debut album, also titled 'It Takes Two,' to platinum status and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Club Songs chart.

The duo disbanded after their initial success but reunited in 1994 for their second and final album, 'Break of Dawn.' DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes. Rob Base continued performing in later years, including recent appearances at throwback concerts and charity events, most recently at the 2023 Freestyle Explosion Throw Back Jam. His only solo album, 'The Incredible Base,' released in 1989, reached No. 50 on the Billboard 200.

'It Takes Two' has been sampled by major artists including Snoop Dogg, Gang Starr, and Girl Time, cementing its influence across generations. Base celebrated his 59th birthday earlier in the week, posting a message of gratitude on Instagram. Tributes have poured in from across the music world, honoring his energy, legacy, and role in shaping hip-hop culture.