Rob Base, American Hip‑Hop Star, Dies After Cancer Battle

American rapper Rob Base, best known for the 1988 hip‑hop classic “It Takes Two,” died at 59 after a battle with cancer.

Robert Ginyard, who performed under the stage name Rob Base, reportedly passed away on Friday while surrounded by family, according to a statement posted on his official Instagram page.

The statement called the late artist a devoted father, family man and influential music figure whose work left a lasting impact on generations of fans.

“Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives,” the statement read.

Born in Harlem, New York, Rob Base rose to global fame as part of the hip‑hop duo Rob Base and DJ E‑Z Rock.

The pair achieved worldwide recognition with “It Takes Two,” a track credited with helping hip‑hop gain wider acceptance in clubs and mainstream pop culture.

The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Over the years, the track remained a pop‑culture staple, appearing in movies, television productions and video games, and being sampled by artists such as Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas.

Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from fans and celebrities across the entertainment industry.

Comedian Dane Cook described him as a performer who “rocked the microphone,” while former NFL star Deion Sanders referred to him as “a legend.”

Rob Base’s longtime collaborator, DJ E‑Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney Bryce, died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes at the age of 56.

The pair had reportedly known each other since childhood and released their first single, “DJ Interview,” in 1986 before achieving massive success with “It Takes Two.”

In an earlier interview, Rob Base revealed that the famous song was created almost accidentally after the duo discovered the Lyn Collins sample shortly before recording the track.

He admitted at the time that he never imagined the song would become such a global success.

Rob Base is remembered as one of the influential figures who helped move hip‑hop from the streets of New York into mainstream international culture.