Rapper Rob Base, best known for the 1988 hit 'It Takes Two' with DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59. The announcement was made on his Instagram, stating he passed peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer. Base, born Robert Ginyard, was a Harlem native and a defining figure in the late 1980s hip-hop scene.

'It Takes Two' reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been certified platinum by the RIAA. The track's energetic blend of hip-hop and house music influenced generations, with its beats sampled by artists like Snoop Dogg and The Black Eyed Peas. DJ E-Z Rock, Base’s longtime collaborator, died in 2014.

Even decades later, Base remained active in music, performing on the 'I Love the ‘90s Tour' alongside acts like Vanilla Ice and Young MC. He also expanded into film, serving as executive producer of the 2025 independent film 'Urban Flesh Eaters.' Tributes highlight his role not only as a performer but as a father, family man, and creative force whose impact endures.