Rob Base, famed rapper, passes away at 59.
Rapper Robert Ginyard, known professionally as Rob Base, died on May 22, 2026 at age 59 after a period of cancer treatment. The death was announced via a post on his Instagram account on the same day. He was survived by family and close associates.
Ginyard was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and rose to fame in the late 1980s as part of the duo Rob Base and DJ E‑Z Rock. Their single “It Takes Two” reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since earned a platinum certification from the RIAA. The track has influenced later artists such as Snoop Dogg and The Black Eyed Peas.
During the final months of his life, Base remained active in music. He was scheduled to perform with Vanilla Ice and Young MC on the “I Love the ‘90s Tour.” He also served as executive producer for the 2025 independent film Urban Flesh Eaters.
Specifically, Ginyard had celebrated his 59th birthday just a few days earlier, on Monday, May 20. The announcement emphasized his musical legacy and his role as a father and community figure.
No further investigations have been reported, and no claims of foul play have been made. The release of the statement appeared to come from his immediate family and management team.