LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- American rapper Robert Ginyard, known popularly as Rob Base, has died at the age of 59 after battling cancer.
The iconic rapper widely known for the legendary 1988 hip-hop hit It Takes Two, passed away on Friday surrounded by family members, according to a statement shared on his official Instagram page.
The statement described the late rapper as a devoted father, family man, loyal friend and creative talent whose music left a lasting mark on hip-hop culture.
“Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives,” the post read.
Born in Harlem, New York, Rob Base rose to fame alongside his longtime collaborator DJ E-Z Rock as the duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.
The pair achieved international success after releasing It Takes Two, a song many credit for helping hip-hop gain wider acceptance in mainstream clubs and pop music charts.
The track climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and later earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Over the years, the song remained a pop culture favourite, appearing in movies, television shows and video games.
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It was also sampled by major artists including Snoop Dogg and Black Eyed Peas.
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from celebrities and fans across the entertainment industry.
His longtime music partner, DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name was Rodney Bryce, died in 2014 at 56 from complications linked to diabetes.
The duo had been friends since childhood and released their first single, DJ Interview, in 1986 before reaching worldwide fame with It Takes Two.
In an earlier interview, Rob Base revealed that the iconic song was created almost by chance after they discovered the Lyn Collins sample shortly before heading into the studio.
He also admitted he never imagined the track would become one of hip-hop’s most enduring records.
Fans around the world maintain that the rappers will be remembered as one of those who helped move hip-hop from the streets of New York into global mainstream culture.
