Rob Base, rapper on classic hip-hop track "It Takes Two," dies at 59
Rob Base, the MC whose lyrics lit up the dancefloor classic "It Takes Two" and got countless people moving worldwide, passed away Friday.
www.cbsnews.comI can help with this. Here’s the latest on Rob Base.
- Rob Base, the rapper best known for It Takes Two with DJ E-Z Rock, has reportedly died at age 59 after a private battle with cancer. The announcements circulated on May 21–22, 2026, and cited that he died peacefully surrounded by family.[2][4][7]
- Multiple outlets confirmed the news and noted the timing around his 59th birthday, which occurred a few days earlier on May 18, 2026.[4][6][9]
- The statements attributed the death to cancer and highlighted his impact on hip-hop and his enduring legacy, with friends and fans paying tribute to his music and influence.[9][10][2]
If you’d like, I can pull a few more sources or summarize how his work, especially It Takes Two, shaped hip-hop and dance music. Do you want a short timeline of key moments in his career as well?
Citations:
- Rob Base dies at 59 after private cancer battle.[4]
- It Takes Two rapper Rob Base dies at 59.[2]
- UK/US coverage of Rob Base death announcement.[9]