Rob Base, 'It Takes Two' Rapper, Dies At 59

Rob Base, one-half of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, who was finest identified for the hit “It Takes Two,” has died. He was 59.

The rapper, who celebrated his 59th birthday simply 4 days in the past, died on May 22 whereas surrounded by household after a personal battle with most cancers.

“Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world. Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten,” reads a press release on his social media account. “Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.”

Alongside EZ Rock, who died in 2014 from issues of diabetes, Base was instrumental in cross-pollinating hip-hop and home music and bringing them to the mainstream within the Nineteen Eighties. Their smash “It Takes Two” reached No. 3 on the (*59*) Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988 adopted by “Get on the Dance Floor,” which topped the identical chart. In the a long time since, “It Takes Two” has develop into a cultural touchstone, sampled by everybody from Snoop Dogg to Black Eyed Peas and utilized in movies together with 2009’s “The Proposal” and 2010’s “Iron Man 2.”

Robert Ginyard was born on May 18, 1967, and met EZ Rock within the fifth grade whereas rising up in Harlem. They have been impressed to kind a duo as youngsters after seeing native group the Crash Crew managed to launch a report, prompting Base to purchase a microphone and EZ Rock to get a mixer and turntables.

After their songs “DJ Interview” and “Make It Hot” picked up native buzz, they crafted the demo of “It Takes Two” in about two nights, which led to a take care of Profile Records. They quickly adopted with their debut album, 1998’s “It Takes Two,” which peaked at No. 4 on the (*59*) Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and spawned two extra hits: “Get on the Dance Floor” and “Joy and Pain.”

Base adopted along with his sole studio album so far, “The Incredible Base,” in November 1989, and reunited with EZ Rock for 1994’s “Break of Dawn,” though the album did not make an influence.

More lately, Base had remained energetic as a performer as a part of the “I Love the 90’s Tour” alongside a rotating solid of musicians together with Vanilla Ice, All-4-One, Young MC and extra. He had a manufacturing firm known as Funky Base, Inc., the place he labored with up-and-coming artists. He additionally served as govt producer on the horror movie “Urban Flesh Eaters,” which was launched final 12 months.

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