New york: Rap artist Rob Base, best known for the 1980s hip-hop classic "It Takes Two," has died after a bout of cancer at the age of 59. The musician, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, created the hit song with his musical partner DJ E-Z Rock, and it is credited with helping to propel hip-hop to mainstream success in dance clubs and the pop charts.
According to Ghana Web, Base died "surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer" on Friday, shortly after celebrating his 59th birthday, as shared in a post on his official Instagram account. The post expressed gratitude for his contributions to music and his impact on fans worldwide, stating, "Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives."
Base, originally from Harlem, was part of a hip-hop duo with DJ E-Z Rock. The duo gained fame in 1988 with the release of "It Takes Two," which quickly climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The track has been sampled by artists such as Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas, and featured in films like "The Proposal" and video games such as "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."
Tributes for Base began pouring in soon after the news of his passing. Comedian Dane Cook wrote on social media, "He WAS internationally known and he DID rock the microphone," referring to the iconic lyrics of Base's hit song. NFL Hall-of-Fame football star Deion Sanders also shared his condolences, stating, "Prayers to Rob Base's entire family and loved ones. He was a legend to me."
DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney Bryce, passed away in April 2014 due to complications related to diabetes, at the age of 56. The duo's friendship began in the fourth grade, and they released their first single, "DJ Interview," in 1986, before achieving massive success with "It Takes Two."
In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Base recounted the spontaneous creation of their hit song, noting the unexpected success it achieved. "We had to go to the studio that night and we didn't have anything prepared, but we found and liked the Lyn Collins sample that night and went to the studio," Base recalled. "We didn't think that it would cross over and be as big as it became."