{"id":533,"date":"2026-05-23T05:36:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T05:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=533"},"modified":"2026-05-23T05:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T05:36:19","slug":"rob-base-it-takes-two-rapper-dies-at-59","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=533","title":{"rendered":"Rob Base, \u2018It Takes Two\u2019 Rapper, Dies at 59"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nRob Base, one-half of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, who was best known for the hit \u201cIt Takes Two,\u201d has died. He was 59.<\/p>\n

Read more How \u2018Epic Ride: The Story of Universal\u2019s Theme Parks\u2019 Docuseries Captures the Race to Meet Opening Day Deadline<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tThe rapper, who celebrated his 59th birthday just four days ago, died on May 22 while surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cRob\u2019s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world. Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten,\u201d reads a statement on his social media account. \u201cThank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAlongside E-Z Rock, who died in 2014 from complications of diabetes, Base was instrumental in cross-pollinating hip-hop and house music and bringing them to the mainstream in the 1980s. Their smash \u201cIt Takes Two\u201d reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance\/Club Songs chart in 1988 followed by \u201cGet on the Dance Floor,\u201d which topped the same chart. In the decades since, \u201cIt Takes Two\u201d has become a cultural touchstone, sampled by everyone from Snoop Dogg to Black Eyed Peas and used in films including 2009\u2019s \u201cThe Proposal\u201d and 2010\u2019s \u201cIron Man 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tRobert Ginyard was born on May 18, 1967, and met E-Z Rock in the fifth grade while growing up in Harlem. They were inspired to form a duo as teenagers after seeing local group the Crash Crew manage to release a record, prompting Base to buy a microphone and E-Z Rock to get a mixer and turntables.<\/p>\n

Read more \u2018Bait\u2019 Team on the Show\u2019s James Bond Plotline and Depicting Inner Struggle: \u2018Being Muslim in the West Feels Like You\u2019re Stuck in a Spy Thriller\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tAfter their songs \u201cDJ Interview\u201d and \u201cMake It Hot\u201d picked up local buzz, they crafted the demo of \u201cIt Takes Two\u201d in about two nights, which led to a deal with Profile Records. They soon followed with their debut album, 1988\u2019s \u201cIt Takes Two,\u201d which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B\/Hip-Hop Albums chart and spawned two more hits: \u201cGet on the Dance Floor\u201d and \u201cJoy and Pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBase followed with his sole studio album to date, \u201cThe Incredible Base,\u201d in November 1989, and reunited with E-Z Rock for 1994\u2019s \u201cBreak of Dawn,\u201d though the album failed to make an impact.<\/p>\n

\n\tMore recently, Base had remained active as a performer as part of the \u201cI Love the 90\u2019s Tour\u201d alongside a rotating cast of musicians including Vanilla Ice, All-4-One, Young MC and more. He had a production company called Funky Base, Inc., where he worked with up-and-coming artists. He also served as executive producer on the horror film \u201cUrban Flesh Eaters,\u201d which was released last year.<\/p>\n

Read more Paul McCartney Explores His Ever-Present Past in \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane,\u2019 a Delightful Return to Wings-Era Form: Album Review<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rob Base, one-half of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock and best known for the hit ‘It Takes Two,’ has died. 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