Rob Base, rapper known for 'It Takes Two,' dies at 59

Rapper Rob Base, one-half of the hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, died connected Friday aft a conflict with cancer. He was 59.

“Rob’s music, energy, and bequest helped signifier a procreation and brought joyousness to millions astir the world. Beyond the stage, helium was a loving father, household man, person and originative unit whose interaction volition ne'er beryllium forgotten,” a connection connected Base’s Instagram read.

The connection besides expressed gratitude to Base, who was surrounded by household arsenic helium died, for “the music, the memories and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.”

Rob Base was calved Robert Ginyard successful May 1967. He was champion known for his collaborations with DJ E-Z Rock. The 2 were lifelong friends, gathering successful 5th people portion surviving successful Harlem. Their opus “It Takes Two” was released successful 1988 by Profile Records. The opus became a breakout azygous for the duo and peaked astatine No. 3 connected the Billboard U.S. creation nine songs chart, with The Times calling “It Takes Two” “the rage of the rap underground.”

The duo followed up the deed with the merchandise of the singles “Joy and Pain” and “Get On the Dance Floor.” Base released his solo album, “The Incredible Base,” successful 1989.

Base was an ardent protagonist of the rap genre, explaining to The Times successful 1989 the nuance of the music.

“People extracurricular rap don’t recognize it. There’s each sorts of subtle things — cardinal things — happening implicit and supra the bushed successful rap songs. The fans privation caller worldly each the time,” Base said.

Base had 2 children, De’Jené Ginyard and Robert Ginyard Jr. His wife, April, died successful 2013.