Robert Ginyard, the Harlem-born hip-hop pioneer known globally as Rob Base, died peacefully on Friday at the age of 59. The artist passed away surrounded by his family following a private battle with cancer, a diagnosis he kept strictly out of the public eye.
His family confirmed the news through a statement on his official Instagram account, noting his music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation. Base died just four days after celebrating his 59th birthday. He skyrocketed to international fame during hip-hop’s golden era as one-half of the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock.
Their 1988 breakout anthem “It Takes Two” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The track established a cultural footprint spanning decades and is one of the most heavily sampled songs in music history, appearing in works by artists like Snoop Dogg, The Black Eyed Peas, and Mary J. Blige, according to official family statements.
Despite his illness, Base remained highly active on the road until recently. He spent time touring alongside peers like Vanilla Ice and Young MC on the “I Love the ’90s Tour” and mentored emerging artists through his organization, Funky Base, Inc., as noted by KTVU.
Away from the stage, Base maintained a notoriously guarded personal life. He was a devoted family man who had been married to his wife April for 19 years before she passed. They shared three children, Dejene, Rob Jr., and an adopted cousin, Dysell. He was subsequently married to Lynette Blackwell prior to his passing, details that surfaced as fans look back on his life off-camera.