Rob Base, the hip-hop artist best known for “It Takes Two” with DJ EZ Rock, has died at age 59 after a private battle with cancer.
Key details from recent reports:
- Announcement came via Rob Base’s official social media account, confirming he passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by family.[2][4]
- He reached peak fame in the late 1980s as part of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock; their hit “It Takes Two” was a platinum-certified single and helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream.[7][2]
- News outlets note his longtime influence in the genre and mention that his partner DJ EZ Rock died earlier in 2014 due to diabetes-related complications.[10][2]
If you’d like, I can pull together a brief tribute-style overview, a timeline of his major works, or a list of reliable sources with direct links for further reading.
Sources
Rob Base, best known for the 1988 hit "It Takes Two," died at age 59 after battling cancer.
abcnews.comRob Base cause of death: Hip-hop pioneer Rob Base, celebrated for the 1988 hit "It Takes Two," has died at 59 after a private battle with cancer. His passing was confirmed on May 22, 2026, just days after his birthday. Rob Base's music significantly influenced a generation, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
economictimes.indiatimes.comSadly, Hip Hop has lost one of its pioneers, as it's reported that Rob Base has died after a private cancer battle.
www.hotnewhiphop.comA statement was shared on Rob Base's Instagram Friday announcing the news of his death.
abcnews.comDays after celebrating his birthday, the hip-hop legend’s family shared heartbreaking news.
parade.comRob Base, a pioneering hip-hop performer who — with the late DJ EZ-Rock — went platinum with the single "It Takes Two," has died at 59.
extratv.comRapper Rob Base has died after a battle with cancer. He was 59. His team shared the news of his death on his Instagram page. Base was one half of the Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. The duo was best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” a blend of hip-hop and house music that helped bring the genres into the mainstream. DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 at age 46 of complications from diabetes. The two met as fifth grade students in Harlem. Their song “It Takes Two” has been certified...
www.ajc.comRob Base, the rapper known for his hit song "It Takes Two," has died after a private battle with cancer. He was 59.
abcnews.com