Rob Base (of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock) has passed away.

Hip-Hop culture has unfortunately lost another one of its pioneers. Rob Base of the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock has passed away on May 22nd, 2026, at the age of 59. Born as Robert Ginyard in Harlem, 1967, Rob Base (alongside DJ E-Z Rock) helped push Hip-Hop to the mainstream with the 1988 smash hit, “It Takes Two.”

The pair first met in fifth grade, and were inspired to make music by another Harlem group, Crash Crew. They were originally members of The Sure Shot Seven, and stayed in the group until they were the only members left. The two of them then released “Dj Interview,” a track which brought them underground notoriety and led to a publishing deal.

In 1987, they were signed to one of the earliest Hip-Hop labels, Profile Records. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock dropped three albums throughout their career, “It Takes Two” (1988), “The Incredible Base” (1989), and “Break of Dawn” (1994). Notable singles also include “Joy and Pain,” “Get On The Dance Floor,” and “Turn It Out (Go Base),” credited only to Rob.

DJ E-Z Rock also left us in 2014, at the age of 46.

Rest in peace to both of these legends.