Rob Base, a member of the iconic Harlem duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has passed away at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer. Known by his birth name Robert Ginyard, he gained fame with the hit song “It Takes Two” in 1988, which fused hip-hop and house music and helped popularize both genres.
In an Instagram post announcing his death, it was mentioned that Rob’s music and vibrant presence left a lasting impact on a generation, spreading joy to millions worldwide. Apart from his musical contributions, he was described as a devoted father, family man, friend, and influential creative force whose legacy will endure.
His partner in music, DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney (Skip) Bryce, passed away in 2014 at the age of 46 due to complications from diabetes. The duo, who met in Harlem during their fifth-grade years, drew inspiration from the success of the Crash Crew, another prominent Harlem group. Their signing with Profile Records in 1987 marked their entry into the burgeoning hip-hop scene.
The breakout success of “It Takes Two” in 1988 propelled them onto the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 3 on the Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. The song, which achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, has been sampled by various artists like Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas and featured in multiple films.
Their subsequent single, “Get on the Dance Floor,” also achieved significant success on the club songs chart, further cementing their influence in the music industry.
