Rapper Rob Base, one-half of the hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, died on Friday after a battle with cancer. He was 59.<\/p>\n
\u201cRob\u2019s 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,\u201d a statement on Base\u2019s Instagram<\/a> read. <\/p>\n The statement also expressed gratitude to Base, who was surrounded by family as he died, for \u201cthe music, the memories and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Rob Base was born Robert Ginyard in May 1967. He was best known for his collaborations with DJ E-Z Rock. The two were lifelong friends, meeting in fifth grade while living in Harlem. Their song \u201cIt Takes Two\u201d was released in 1988 by Profile Records. The song became a breakout single for the duo and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard U.S. dance club songs chart, with The Times<\/a> calling \u201cIt Takes Two\u201d \u201cthe rage of the rap underground.\u201d<\/p>\n The duo followed up the hit with the release of the singles \u201cJoy and Pain\u201d and \u201cGet On the Dance Floor.\u201d Base released his solo album, \u201cThe Incredible Base,\u201d in 1989. <\/p>\n Base was an ardent supporter of the rap genre, explaining to The Times<\/a> in 1989 the nuance of the music. <\/p>\n \u201cPeople outside rap don\u2019t understand it. There\u2019s all sorts of subtle things \u2014 key things \u2014 happening over and above the beat in rap songs. The fans want new stuff all the time,\u201d Base said. <\/p>\n Base had two children, De\u2019Jen\u00e9 Ginyard and Robert Ginyard Jr. His wife, April, died in 2013. <\/p>\n