Robert Ginyard, the visionary rapper universally known as Rob Base, has passed away at the age of 59. The Harlem-born musician died on May 22 surrounded by his loved ones following a deeply private battle with cancer. Tragically, his passing occurred just four days after he celebrated his 59th birthday.
A statement shared across his official social media channels confirmed the loss, describing him as a loving father, family man, friend and creative force. The tribute noted that his infectious energy brought joy to millions and provided the soundtrack to countless lives around the globe.
Bridging hip-hop and house
Alongside his childhood friend DJ E-Z Rock, Base was responsible for permanently blurring the lines between raw hip-hop and energetic house music.
The duo’s crowning achievement was undoubtedly their 1988 platinum smash «It Takes Two». The track became an instant cultural touchstone that transcended its era entirely. After peaking at No 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart, it evolved into a timeless anthem that has been heavily sampled by modern titans like Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas. Its universal appeal also saw it featured prominently in major Hollywood blockbusters such as Iron Man 2 and The Proposal.
From a Harlem classroom to global stardom
The story of their success is deeply rooted in New York’s vibrant musical history. Base and E-Z Rock first crossed paths in a fifth-grade classroom. Inspired by watching local neighbourhood acts like the Crash Crew press their own records, the teenagers decided to invest in a microphone, a mixer and a set of turntables.
That investment paid off spectacularly. After generating a massive local buzz with early tracks, the pair recorded the demo for «It Takes Two» over a frantic 48-hour period. This landed them a pivotal deal with Profile Records which paved the way for their acclaimed debut album and subsequent hits like the chart-topping «Get on the Dance Floor».
An enduring creative spirit
Although E-Z Rock tragically passed away in 2014 due to complications from diabetes, Base continued to champion their shared musical legacy. While his 1989 solo venture The Incredible Base and a 1994 reunion album titled Break of Dawn did not replicate the dizzying commercial heights of his debut, his passion for the industry never faded.
Up until his passing, Base remained a beloved fixture on the live circuit. He frequently delighted crowds on the «I Love the 90’s Tour» alongside acts like Vanilla Ice and All-4-One. Beyond performing he dedicated his later years to developing fresh talent through his own company Funky Base, Inc. He also recently expanded his creative horizons into the film world by serving as an executive producer on last year’s horror feature Urban Flesh Eaters.
