Rob Base, one of hip-hop’s most enduring voices and the man behind one of the genre’s defining anthems, has died at the age of 59.
The rapper, real name Robert Ginyard, died Friday after a private battle with cancer, according to a statement posted on his Instagram account.
The news came just four days after he celebrated his birthday, marking the occasion with a post that read: “Thank God I got to see another year.”
The timing makes the loss even more poignant.
“Rob’s music, energy and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world,” the statement read.
“Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend and creative force whose influence will never be forgotten.”
It ended with a line that captured the magnitude of what he left behind: “Thank you for the music, the memories and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.”
Tributes from other artists were immediate.
Kid Capri expressed his shock, writing: “WTF? I was just on the phone with him a few months ago to clear a sample, he didn’t say anything about being sick!!! This is horrible smh.”
Fat Joe simply offered, “Love Rob, I’m so sorry.” DJ Jazzy Jeff wrote: “Rest well my brother.”
Base rose to prominence in 1988 with his musical partner DJ EZ Rock, who died in 2014 aged 46, with the release of It takes two.
The number became far more than a hit single.
It became a cultural touchstone, sampled over decades by artists including Snoop Dogg, Black Eyed Peasand DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.
It also found its way into the soundtracks for films, e.g Love & Basketball, Iron Man 2 and Bumblebeeensuring that new generations continued to encounter it long after its original release.
Along with DJ EZ Rock, Base also gave fans Get on the dance floor and Joy and pain.
In later years he remained active in music and performed at I love the 90s‘s Tour alongside artists such as Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and mentoring new talent through his company Funky Base, Inc.
He was still working, still connected, still himself, right up until the end, it seems, given that he was calling up trial approvals just months ago.
Hip-hop has lost one of its originals.
