Rob Base, the Harlem rapper who helped define the golden age of hip hop with the 1988 classic "It Takes Two," has died at age 59.

Base, born Robert Ginyard, died on Friday, May 22, 2026, just four days after celebrating his 59th birthday. He passed peacefully while surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer, Variety reported. Veteran hip hop promoter Van Silk confirmed the rapper had been battling lung cancer.

His family released a statement on his official social media accounts. "Rob's music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world," the message read. "Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten. Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives."

Base was born May 18, 1967, and grew up in Harlem. He met his future musical partner, DJ E-Z Rock, born Rodney Bryce, in the fifth grade. The two teenagers were inspired to form a duo after seeing local group the Crash Crew land a record deal. Base bought a microphone. E-Z Rock got a mixer and turntables. Hip hop history followed.

Their early demos "DJ Interview" and "Make It Hot" picked up local buzz in 1986. They wrote and recorded their breakout hit "It Takes Two" in about two nights. The track caught the ear of Profile Records, which signed the duo in 1987.

Produced by Teddy Riley, "It Takes Two" was built around a vocal sample from Lyn Collins's 1972 hit "Think (About It)." The song fused hip hop with house music in a way that had not been done before. It became a nationwide smash, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. The track has since been sampled by Snoop Dogg, the Black Eyed Peas, and Ciara, and has appeared in films, TV shows, and the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Their debut album, also called "It Takes Two," was released in 1988 and went platinum the following year. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and produced two additional hits, "Joy and Pain" and "Get on the Dance Floor." Per TMZ, the album became a cultural staple that bridged hip hop into mainstream pop consciousness.

Base released his solo debut, "The Incredible Base," in November 1989 and reunited with E-Z Rock for 1994's "Break of Dawn." The duo's recording career largely wrapped after that.

E-Z Rock died in April 2014 at age 46 from complications of diabetes. Base honored him at the time with an Instagram post that read, "R.I.Power DJ EZ Rock. Team Fearless Salute." His death officially ended any chance of a reunion, but Base continued to perform their hits as a solo act for the next decade.

In recent years, Base remained a fixture on the "I Love the '90s Tour" alongside acts like Vanilla Ice and Young MC. He also served as the guest DJ at the 2014 MSNBC White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Base is survived by his children. His daughter De'Jené Ginyard was born in 1989. His son Robert Ginyard Jr. was born in 1992. He and his late wife April, who died in 2013, also took guardianship of April's cousin Dysell.