Rob Base dies age 59

Rob Base, the rapper best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” died on Friday, May 22, at age 59, according to reports from Variety and Rolling Stone. Both outlets said his death was announced through his official social media account and said he had been battling cancer privately. The reports said he died surrounded by family. Posts on X and other social platforms followed through May 23, with fans and peers recalling the song that made him famous and his partnership with DJ E-Z Rock. ### When did Rob Base die, and what was said publicly? Variety reported that Rob Base died on May 22, four days after his 59th birthday, while surrounded by family after what it described as a private battle with cancer. Rolling Stone separately reported the same date and said news of his death was shared through his official Instagram account. (variety.com) The statement carried on his social media account said, “Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world,” and called him “a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force.” Variety and Rolling Stone each published that statement in their obituary reports. (variety.com) ### Why is “It Takes Two” the song people keep citing? “It Takes Two” was released in 1988 and became the signature song of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, the duo that brought him mainstream recognition. Variety said the track reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart, while Rolling Stone said the record helped push the pair into hip-hop’s mainstream. (variety.com) Rolling Stone said the song was built around a sample from Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It)” and described it as a crossover of hip-hop and house music. Variety said the duo followed it with “Get on the Dance Floor,” which topped the same Billboard dance chart, and noted that their debut album “It Takes Two” reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. (variety.com) ### Who was DJ E-Z Rock, and how did the partnership begin? Robert Ginyard, who performed as Rob Base, grew up in Harlem and met DJ E-Z Rock as a child, according to both Variety and Rolling Stone. Variety said they met in the fifth grade, while Rolling Stone said they met in the fourth grade, and both reports said they formed a duo after being inspired by the local group Crash Crew. (variety.com) Rolling Stone said the pair first released “DJ Interview” in 1986 before breaking through with “It Takes Two.” The magazine also said DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 from complications of diabetes. ### What did Rob Base do after his biggest hit? Variety reported that Rob Base released “The Incredible Base” in November 1989 and later reunited with DJ E-Z Rock for the 1994 album “Break of Dawn.” The outlet said he remained active in later years as a performer on the “I Love the 90’s Tour,” appearing alongside artists including Vanilla Ice, All-4-One and Young MC. (variety.com) (rollingstone.com) Variety also said he ran a production company, Funky Base, Inc., and served as executive producer on the horror film “Urban Flesh Eaters,” released last year. ### Why did tributes spread so quickly on May 23? Posts on X on May 23 centered on “It Takes Two,” Rob Base’s role in late-1980s hip-hop crossover success, and the earlier death of DJ E-Z Rock, according to the social briefing provided for this story. (variety.com) Entertainment obituaries published on May 22 supplied the basic details that users then repeated and shared across tribute threads the next day. As of May 23, the most concrete public record remained the statement carried on Rob Base’s social media account and obituary reports from music publications. Further details, including memorial arrangements or family announcements, would most likely appear first through those official channels and follow-up entertainment coverage. (variety.com)