<p id=”par-1_8″>Rapper Rob Base has died at age 59.</p>
<p id=”par-2_33″>The hip-hop legend and “It Takes Two” rapper “passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026 surrounded by family after a private battle with cancer,” according to an announcement shared on his official <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DYp7wbCh7vH/?hl=en” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Instagram</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-3_57″>“Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world. Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten,” read the announcement. “Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-rob-base-and-dj-e-z-rock-went-platinum-with-1988-s-it-takes-two”>Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock went platinum with 1988’s ‘It Takes Two’ </h2>
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<iframe title=”Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – It Takes Two (Official Video)” width=”925″ height=”694″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/phOW-CZJWT0?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-4_62″>Base – whose real name was Robert Ginyard – and DJ E-Z Rock (born Rodney “Skip” Bryce) topped the charts in 1988 with their certified-platinum hit “It Takes Two.” In 1989, Base released his solo album, <em>The Incredible Base. </em>He and DJ E-Z Rock also released <em>Break of Dawn </em>in 1994. Bryce died in 2014, at age 46, from complications of diabetes. </p>
<p id=”par-5_20″>Base had not publicly announced his illness, leaving both fans and fellow performers stunned when they heard of his death. </p>
<p id=”par-6_36″>“WTF? I was just on the phone with him a couple of months ago to clear a sample,” commented rapper and producer Kid Capri. “He didn’t say anything about him being sick!!! This is terrible smh.”</p>
<p id=”par-7_23″>“RIP ROB BASE,” wrote producer Easy Mo Bee. “Major love and condolences to his family and loved ones. God bless and keep them.”</p>
<p id=”par-8_15″>Actress <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/taraji-p-henson-felt-hollywood-didnt-grasp-talent.html/”>Taraji P. Henson</a> simply responded with a series of praying hands and dove emojis. </p>
<p id=”par-9_9″>“Love Rob I’m so sorry,” commented rapper Fat Joe.</p>
<p id=”par-10_16″>DJ Spinderella, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/what-is-dj-jazzy-jeff-of-dj-jazzy-jeff-the-fresh-prince-up-to-today.html/”>DJ Jazzy Jeff,</a> and DJ Pauly D were also among those sharing their condolences. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-rob-base-recently-celebrated-his-birthday”>Rob Base recently celebrated his birthday</h2>
<p id=”par-11_11″>Base had celebrated his birthday just four days before his death. </p>
<p id=”par-12_31″>“Happy 59th Birthday to my OLD man Rob Base praying God will bless you with many more. Love you…,” producer, writer, and casting director Lynette Blackwell shared in an <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfiNnOk8i9/?hl=en” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Instagram</a> post. </p>
<p id=”par-13_26″>“Happy 59th Birthday to me,” Base wrote in his last <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfnHw1J7gr/?hl=en” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>social media</a> update before his death. “God thank you for allowing me to see another year.”</p>
<p id=”par-14_51″>Up until last month, Base was still promoting upcoming gigs on his <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DWyvODiulLU/?hl=en” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Instagram</a>. On April 6, he posted about “Pass the Mic Live!” an August 2026 event at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, where he was set to perform along with MC Lyte, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and others. </p>
<p id=”par-15_11″><em>For more news and exclusive interviews, follow </em><a href=”https://www.instagram.com/showbizcheatsheet/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram</em></a><em>.</em></p>