Today, we lost a true hip-hop pioneer. Rob Base has passed away at the age of 59 after a private battle with cancer.
For many of us, Rob Base wasn’t just part of the soundtrack of the late 80s; he was the soundtrack. When “It Takes Two” exploded in 1988, it changed everything. The energy, the beats, the call-and-response vocals, the pure party atmosphere, it became one of those rare records that crossed every line. Hip-hop, dance clubs, radio, roller rinks, house parties, cars with booming bass, everybody knew it. Decades later, the moment that beat drops still fills dance floors instantly.
Alongside DJ E-Z Rock, Rob helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream while keeping the music joyful, raw, and authentic. Songs like “Joy and Pain,” “Get On The Dance Floor,” and of course “It Takes Two” remain woven into pop culture and DJ history.
What made Rob Base special was that his music never felt dated. It still sounds alive. It still sounds fun. That kind of magic is rare.
It’s especially heartbreaking knowing he joins his longtime musical partner, DJ E-Z Rock, who passed away in 2014. Together, they created records that defined an era and continue to inspire artists, DJs, and music fans around the world.
Thank you, Rob, for the music, the memories, and for giving us some of the greatest party records ever pressed onto vinyl.
Rest in peace.
Robert Ginyard
May 18, 1967 – May 22, 2026
Thanks to Rob Base every time I went to select a new album at the Wiz I heeded his advice and if it was, indeed wack, I put back! No Lie! I’ve listened to their album countless times and this was a huge crossover single when it came out. The late 80’s was an amazing time for hip hop and this album made it even more so! Other tracks on this album that I loved: Joy & Pain and Get On The Dancefloor–both with really cool samples that I bet DJ Paul knows the origins of. R.I.P. Mr. Base.
The illest Rob Base track is “DJ Interview” from an obscure compilation released in 1986 before he blew up on Profile. EZ Rock cuts it up on the SL1200s over a bubbly TR-808 beat with Rob Base providing the rhymes. Crucial electro at its finest. Check out this gem here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAdj-qHrGDM. RIP to a true legend.
Sorry to hear that – wow, he was almost exactly the same age as me. Back in 1989, Spin Magazine created a list of the 100 Best Songs Ever – and I loved it that they actually put “It Takes Two” at #1. https://davesmusicdatabase.blogspot.com/1989/12/spin-top-100-songs.html While the list seems intentionally irreverent in many ways – in fact, I believe in the original list they actually listed “It Takes Two” TWICE – at the top spot, but also I thought they made it, like, #63 best song ever as well, lol – it shows that, at least at that moment, and even… Read more »
Rest in peace Denyse La Page and Rob Base.
You Forgot the death of Denyse Le Page of Lime a few days ago!
I cannot count the number of times I cut “I WANNA ROCK RIGHT NOW” into my sets over the past 38 years, using the original 12” of course. I actually have at least 5 copies of it & used to juggle 2 copies turntabalist style. Such a fun record to play. Going to do so today.
RIP RB!
RIP Friend
I would love to know how many times Rob’s beats were sampled or interpolated into other tunes? Rob influenced a generation of hip hop style.
I remember in the mid 80s to 90s people I often overheard saying, “this music won’t be around in 10 or 20 years, This is a fad, it will go away.” I am happy to say they were wrong and I always knew it. I was hooked from the first listen. Some took longer to realize it.
RIP – I remember seeing them back in the day and a remix service had the best “It Takes 2” version that I would play on vinyl.
I stand corrected as it kicked off with Joy & Pain into It Takes 2. Getting old – “Rob’s Base Mix” is a classic!!
This is just so sad. I read about it earlier today and was in shock. Thank you, Paul, for what you had to say.
Jeff
Wooo! yeah!
I’m not internationally know but I’m guaranteed to rock the microphone.
What party didn’t rock this song at the end of the 80’s and beyond … and quite honestly Joy & Pain did too! ❤️
Things went quiter when he went solo, can’t help but wonder if they had stayed a duo longer … ???
So iconic they squeezed it onto the Bumblebee soundtrack, but if you do your math its release falls right outside of the movie timeline!
So sad, so many artists of the 80’s/90’s have passed away….
Sad. A legendary rhymer. Get on the Dancefloor probably meant more in the UK, genius piece of hip house. Still play The Incredible Base today.