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, whose real name is Robert Ginyard, died on 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: “God, thank you for allowing me to see another year.”
The moment makes the loss even more poignant.
“Rob’s music, energy and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions of people around the world,” the statement said.
“Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, a family man, a friend and a creative force whose impact will never be forgotten.”
He closed with a line that captured the scale of what he left behind: “Thank you for the music, the memories and the moments that became the soundtrack of our lives.”
Tributes from other artists were immediate.
Kid Capri expressed his shock, writing, “WTF? I was on the phone with him a couple months ago to get a sample, he didn’t say anything about him being sick!!! This is terrible.”
Fat Joe offered simply: “Love, Rob, I’m so sorry.” DJ Jazzy Jeff wrote: “Rest well brother.”
Base rose to fame in 1988 alongside his musical partner DJ EZ Rock, who died in 2014 at the age of 46, with the release of It takes two.
The track became much more than a hit single.
It became a cultural touchstone, sampled over decades by artists such as Snoop Dogg, black-eyed peasand DJ Jazzy Jeff and The fresh prince.
It also appeared on the soundtracks of films such as Love and basketball, iron man 2 and Bumblebeeensuring that new generations continue to find it long after its original release.
Along with DJ EZ Rock, Base also gave his fans Get on the dance floor and Joy and pain.
In later years he remained active in music, performing in the I love the 90s‘s Tour alongside artists such as Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and mentoring emerging talent through his company Funky Base, Inc.
He was still working, still connected, still himself, until the end, it seemed, given that he was fielding calls about sample clearances just a few months ago.
Hip-hop has lost one of its originals.
