Rob Base, one half of the influential Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer.
Best known for the groundbreaking 1988 hit It Takes Two, Base helped bring hip-hop and house music into the mainstream with a sound that defined an era. The track became a cultural phenomenon, climbing the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. Over the years, it has been sampled by artists including Snoop Dogg and Black Eyed Peas, featured in numerous films, and earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
In a statement shared on Instagram, his family and team paid tribute to his lasting influence: “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.”
Base’s longtime collaborator, DJ E-Z Rock, passed away in 2014 at the age of 46 due to complications from diabetes.
The two artists first met as fifth graders in Harlem, New York City, and were inspired to pursue music after witnessing the success of the Harlem rap group Crash Crew. In 1987, they signed with Profile Records, one of the pioneering labels in hip-hop history.
Following the success of “It Takes Two,” the duo continued their momentum with the hit single Get on the Dance Floor, which also performed strongly on the dance charts and further cemented their place in hip-hop history.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. He holds CAVCO Personnel Number SINH0106. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
