Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock were an American hip-hop duo from Harlem, New York City. Rob Base was the stage name of Robert Ginyard (May 18, 1967 – May 22, 2026) and DJ E-Z Rock was the stage name of Rodney "Skip" Bryce (May 8, 1967 – April 27, 2014). They are best known for the 1988 single "It Takes Two", a "hip-hop staple"
Career
thumb|150px|Rob Base performing as a solo artist in October 2023
The duo's first U.S. single and release was "DJ Interview", appearing on World to World, which later got them a recording contract with Profile Records in 1987. The duo was assisted by a long-time friend from New Jersey, producer David Wynn. David Wynn produced three songs on their debut album and five on their sophomore album.
The first Profile release was "It Takes Two". It used multiple samples from the James Brown and Lyn Collins 1972 song "Think (About It)".
Personal lives
Rob Base was born Robert Ginyard on May 18, 1967. He attended Harlem public schools and loved music. Influenced by rap, he performed in talent shows and at as many open mic or hip-hop events as possible. His first child was born in 1989 to his then-girlfriend Rhonda Dunbar, with whom he was in a relationship from 1986 to 1991. In 1991, Base met April, and in 1992, they had a son. They subsequently took guardianship of April's cousin. Base and April married and remained together until her death in September 2013. Rob Base died from cancer on May 22, 2026, at the age of 59.
DJ E-Z Rock was born Rodney "Skip" Bryce in 1967 and raised in Harlem. He died on April 27, 2014, at the age of 46, after complications from diabetes.
Discography
Studio albums
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album details
! colspan="2"| Peak chart<br />positions
! rowspan="2"| Certifications<br /><small>(sales threshold)</small>
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:35px;"| US<br />
! style="width:35px;"| US R&B<br />
|-
| 1988
| style="text-align:left;"| It Takes Two
- Release date: August 9, 1988
- Label: Profile Records
| 31
| 4
| style="text-align:left;"|
US: Platinum
|-
| 1994
| style="text-align:left;"| Break of Dawn
- Release date: September 13, 1994
- Label: Funky Base Records
| —
| —
|
|-
| colspan="5" style="font-size:9pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart
|}
Rob Base solo album
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album details
! colspan="2"| Peak chart<br />positions
! rowspan="2"| Certifications<br /><small>(sales threshold)</small>
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:35px;"| US<br />
! style="width:35px;"| US R&B<br />
|-
| 1989
| style="text-align:left;"| The Incredible Base
- Release date: November 21, 1989
- Label: Profile Records
| 50
| 20
| style="text-align:left;"|
US: Gold
! style="width:35px;"| US Dance<br />
! style="width:35px;"| US Rap<br />
! style="width:35px;"| US R&B<br />
! style="width:35px;"| UK<br />
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1988
| style="text-align:left;"| "It Takes Two"
| 36
| 3
| x
| 17
| 24
| style="text-align:left;"|
US: Platinum