What's happened
Robert Ginyard, known as Base, has died at age 59. He achieved fame with the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” a hip‑hop/house fusion that helped popularize both genres. His death was announced on Instagram; he is survived by family and friends.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Base’s death marks the passing of a pivotal early hip‑hop figure whose work helped push hip‑hop into mainstream club culture.
- The song “It Takes Two” remains a touchstone in music history, frequently cited in retrospectives and used in media across decades.
- Reporting notes that DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014; the two formed a foundational Harlem collaboration that influenced later artists and producers.
- Future coverage will likely reflect on the track’s enduring influence and the duo’s role in blending hip-hop with dance music.
How we got here
Base and DJ E-Z Rock formed a Harlem duo after meeting in fifth grade. They signed with Profile Records in 1987, and “It Takes Two” rose to the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot Dance/Club Songs chart in 1988. The track has been widely sampled and certified platinum by the RIAA.
Our analysis
AP News reports Base’s passing and summarizes his career; The Independent provides parallel detail; The New York Times notes his cancer and historic impact of “It Takes Two.”
Go deeper
- What other songs defined Base’s career besides ‘It Takes Two’?
- How has the track influenced later artists and media appearances?