'It Takes Two' rapper Rob Base dies at 59

Rapper Rob Base, one half of the hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, passed away at 59 after battling cancer. He was instrumental in bringing hip-hop to the mainstream.

Sat May 23 2026

Rapper Rob Base Dies at 59

Rapper Rob Base (born Robert Gaskins Jr.), one half of the Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. His team announced the news of his passing on his official Instagram page.

Contribution to Mainstream Hip-Hop

Rob Base gained significant recognition in the late 1980s with the hit song 'It Takes Two', which he performed with DJ E-Z Rock. This track played a crucial role in popularizing hip-hop music and helped bring the genre into the mainstream, influencing many subsequent artists.

*Source: NPR News (2026-05-23)*

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