Rob Base, Rapper Behind “It Takes Two,” Dies at 59

A hip‑hop pioneer whose electrifying energy and genre‑bridging anthem helped define a generation passes after a private battle with cancer

Robert Ginyard—known to the world as Rob Base—died peacefully on May 22, 2026, at age 59, after a private battle with cancer. His legacy as half of the duo Rob Base & DJ E‑Z Rock, and the enduring power of their 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” cements his place in hip‑hop history.

A Private Battle Ends Public Legacy

Rob Base, born Robert Ginyard in May 1967, passed away on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer, according to a statement posted on his official Instagram account . The announcement noted he died peacefully, four days after celebrating his 59th birthday on May 18 . His family’s statement honored him as “a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten” .

From Harlem to Hip‑Hop Legend

Ginyard grew up in Harlem, where he met Rodney “Skip” Bryce (DJ E‑Z Rock) in elementary school. Their shared passion for music and local hip‑hop culture led them to form the duo Rob Base & DJ E‑Z Rock . After signing with Profile Records in 1987, they released “It Takes Two” in 1988—a fusion of hip‑hop and house built around a sample of Lyn Collins’s 1972 track “Think (About It)” .