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 following 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 message that read: “Thank God for letting me 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 impact will never be forgotten.”
It ended with a sentence that captured the magnitude of what he left behind: “Thank you for the music, the memories and the moments that have become the soundtrack to our lives.”
The 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 get a sample, he didn’t say anything about being sick!!! This is terrible smh.”
Fat Joe simply offered, “I love Rob, I’m so sorry.” DJ Jazzy Jeff wrote: “Rest easy bro. »
Base rose to prominence 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 song became much more than a hit single.
It has become a cultural reference, sampled over the decades by artists, notably Snoop Dogg, Black-eyed peasAnd DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince.
It has also found its way into film soundtracks, including Love and basketball, Iron Man 2 And Bumblebeeensuring that new generations will continue to encounter it long after its original release.
Alongside DJ EZ Rock, Base also treated fans to Get on the dance floor And Joy and pain.
Over the next few years he remained active in music, performing on the I love the 90salongside artists such as Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and mentors 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 releases just a few months ago.
Hip-hop has lost one of its originals.
