Where Are They Now?: Rob Base
Rob Base first rose to fame as one-half of the hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, helping hip-hop crossover into the pop music realm.
americansongwriter.comRob Base, the rapper best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” has died at age 59 after a private battle with cancer, his representatives announced on May 22, 2026. This news has been reported by multiple outlets, including People, NBC News, Billboard, and Variety.[1][4][7][8]
Key details
- Full name: Robert Ginyard
- Best known for: It Takes Two with DJ E-Z Rock
- Cause of death: Cancer (private battle, per social media statement)[4][1]
- Surrounded by family at the time of passing[4]
Context and legacy
- Rob Base rose to prominence in the late 1980s and helped bring hip-hop into a broader pop audience with “It Takes Two”.[8][1]
- He continued to perform, and his broader career included producing and touring, including appearances in 90s-2000s retrospectives and tours.[3][6]
- DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney Bryce) passed away earlier in 2014, making Base’s passing a notable moment in the duo’s history.[4]
If you’d like, I can:
- Pull the latest additional tributes or public responses from social media and major outlets.
- Create a quick timeline of Rob Base’s career highlights.
- Compile a short tribute summary suitable for social media or a memorial post.
Would you like me to proceed with one of these? I can also tailor a brief in memoriam piece if you specify the tone (somber, celebratory, or tribute-focused).