Rob Base, ‘It Takes Two’ rapper, dies at 59
Rapper Rob Base helped bring hip hop into the mainstream with the 1988 hit song "It Takes Two," which later became a pop culture staple.
www.fox2detroit.comRob Base, the rapper known for the hit It Takes Two, died on May 22, 2026 at age 59 after a private battle with cancer. His death was announced via a statement from his team on social media, highlighting his influence on hip-hop and his role as a family man. multiple outlets reported the news on May 21–22, 2026, including People, NBC News, Billboard, and TMZ.[2][5][6][7]
Key details
- Artist: Rob Base (Robert Ginyard)
- Group: Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
- Notable work: It Takes Two (1988)
- Cause: Cancer (as stated in a family-posted message)
- Age at death: 59
- Survivors: Surrounded by family at the time of passing
Context on related figures
- DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney Bryce) died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes, making Rob Base’s passing the end of an era for the classic duo’s era.[5][2]
Immediate impact
- Tributes and remembrances are circulating across entertainment outlets, reflecting Base’s impact on hip-hop’s mainstream breakthrough and his enduring influence through the It Takes Two anthem.[6][2]
Would you like a short timeline of Rob Base’s career highlights or a list of his most influential collaborations and performances?[7][2]