Rob Base, one half of the iconic hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, has died at the age of 59. The rapper, born Robert Ginyard, passed away on May 22, 2026, just four days after celebrating his birthday. His death was confirmed in a post on his official Instagram account, which revealed he had been privately battling cancer.
Core Facts and Immediate Action
Rob Base, known for his 1988 hit 'It Takes Two,' died surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer. The news was shared on his Instagram account, which described him as a 'loving father, family man, friend, and creative force.' His death came just days after he posted a birthday message thanking God for allowing him to see another year.
Deeper Dive and Context
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock met in fifth grade and formed their musical partnership in their teenage years. Their debut album, It Takes Two, peaked at number four on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The duo also released the singles 'Joy and Pain' and 'Get On the Dance Floor.' Base later released a solo album, The Incredible Base, in 1989 and reunited with E-Z Rock in 1994 for the album Break of Dawn.
Base was an ardent supporter of the rap genre, explaining to The Times in 1989 the nuance of rap music. 'People outside rap don’t understand it. There’s all sorts of subtle things — key things — happening over and above the beat in rap songs. The fans want new stuff all the time,' he said. Base had two children, De’Jené Ginyard and Robert Ginyard Jr. His wife, April, died in 2013.
The news of his death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists, including rapper Fat Joe and DJ Kid Capri, who expressed shock and sorrow. Capri noted that he had spoken with Base just a few months prior and was unaware of his illness.