50 Facts About Rob Base: The Man Behind “It Takes Two”

Rest in Peace — Robert Ginyard (Rob Base) May 18, 1967 – May 22, 2026 Rob Base passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer. He was 59 years old.

Early Life

1. Rob Base’s real name is Robert Ginyard.
2. He was born on May 18, 1967.
3. He was born in the Bronx, New York City — though most people associate him with Harlem.
4. In the fourth grade, his family relocated from the Bronx to Harlem, Manhattan — a move that would change his life forever.
5. It was in Harlem where he first met his future music partner, DJ E-Z Rock, as a classmate.
6. Rob was passionate about music from a very young age, attending talent shows and open-mic events all over the city.
7. He attended Harlem public schools and was heavily influenced by the early hip-hop culture surrounding him.
8. As early as fifth grade, Rob was performing with a local group called Sureshot Seven — one of his very first crews.
9. He also performed with another early group called Cosmic 3 MC’s before forming his legendary duo.
10. Growing up in Harlem during the late 1970s and early 1980s, he was surrounded by block parties, park jams, and breakdancers — the building blocks of hip-hop culture.

DJ E-Z Rock

11. DJ E-Z Rock’s real name was Rodney “Skip” Bryce.
12. Remarkably, both Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock shared the exact same birthday — May 18, 1967. They were born the same year, same day.
13. The two met as classmates in Harlem and bonded immediately over their shared love of music.
14. DJ E-Z Rock sadly passed away on April 27, 2014, from health complications. He was just 46 years old.
15. After DJ E-Z Rock’s death, Rob Base continued performing and kept their legacy alive on stage.

Career Beginnings

16. The duo released their first-ever single, “DJ Interview”, in 1986 on the World to World label (also listed as Star Maker Records).
17. “Make It Hot” was one of their early singles that gained solid regional popularity before they broke nationally.
18. The duo caught the attention of Profile Records and signed a recording contract with them in 1987.
19. Their music was produced in part by a longtime friend from New Jersey named David Wynn, who played a key behind-the-scenes role.
20. David Wynn produced three songs on their debut album and five songs on their second album.

“It Takes Two” — The Classic

21. “It Takes Two” was released in 1988 and became one of the most iconic hip-hop records ever made.
22. The song built its infectious energy around a sample of Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It)” from 1972.
23. “Think (About It)” was a James Brown-produced track, which is why that iconic scream and groove feel so powerful in the sample.
24. “It Takes Two” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
25. The debut album, also titled It Takes Two, reached #4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
26. Both the single and the album were certified Platinum by the RIAA.
27. In 2008, VH1 ranked “It Takes Two” at #37 on their list of the 100 Greatest Songs of Hip-Hop.
28. The song is widely credited with helping bridge hip-hop, dance music, and club culture — a genre crossover sometimes called “hip-house.”
29. “It Takes Two” has appeared in countless movies, TV shows, commercials, and sporting events over the decades — it never truly left pop culture.
30. The song’s hook is considered one of the most recognizable in all of rap history.

Other Music & Solo Career

31. Another big hit from the duo was “Get on the Dance Floor”, which became a fan favorite at live shows and clubs.
32. “Joy and Pain” was another notable track — it sampled Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, which led to legal trouble (more on that below).
33. Frankie Beverly of Maze took legal action against Rob Base over the “Joy and Pain” sample, creating a major controversy at the time.
34. In 1989, Rob Base released his debut solo album, titled The Incredible Base.
35. The Incredible Base did not reach the commercial heights of the duo’s debut — none of its singles matched the power of “It Takes Two.”
36. One solo single, “Turn It Out (Go Base)”, did manage to hit the dance charts in late 1989, credited only to Rob Base.
37. Rob Base also faced vicious personal rumors in the late 1980s that affected his public image and career momentum.

Legacy & Recognition

38. Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock are recognized as pioneers of crossover success in hip-hop — helping bring rap music to mainstream pop audiences at a critical moment.
39. Their sound laid groundwork for the hip-house genre, a fusion of hip-hop and house music that was ahead of its time.
40. “It Takes Two” remains a wedding reception, party, and sporting event staple more than 35 years after its release.
41. The song’s music was used in major Hollywood films including Iron Man 2, Bumblebee, Spies in Disguise, and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.

Personal Life

42. Rob Base’s first child, a daughter named De’Jené Ginyard, was born in 1989 with his then-girlfriend Rhonda Dunbar.
43. He later had a son, Robert Ginyard Jr., born in 1992, with a woman named April.
44. He and April also took guardianship of April’s cousin Dysell, expanding their family further.
45. Beyond music, those who knew him described him as a loving father, family man, and creative force — not just a performer.

Later Years & Touring

46. In 2016, Rob Base joined the massive “I Love The 90’s” tour, performing alongside Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Tone Loc, Young MC, Biz Markie, and others.
47. He later joined the “I Love The 90’s: The Party Continues” tour with TLC, Naughty By Nature, Blackstreet, Montell Jordan, Sisqo, and C&C Music Factory.
48. On June 1, 2017, Rob Base performed at the halftime show of the opening game of the NBA Finals — proof that his music still commanded a massive stage.
49. He also worked behind the scenes as an executive producer, including on the documentary True Harlem Hip Hop Story: Mike N Dave (2018).
50. Rob Base passed away on May 22, 2026, at the age of 59, after a private battle with cancer — surrounded by family. His official Instagram statement read: “Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world.”

Rest in peace, Rob Base. It really did take two — and you gave the world something that will last forever.