Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock were an American hip hop duo from Harlem, New York. They were best known for the 1988 hit "It Takes Two", a single that was a top 40 hit and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. That song was a part of the duo's album of the same name, which also has been certified platinum. They are also known for being pioneers of the crossover success that rap music would have in the popular music mainstream.[1] The duo consisted of Rob Base (Robert Ginyard, born May 18, 1967) and DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney "Skip" Bryce, born 1967; died April 27, 2014).

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
Rob Base (left) and DJ E-Z Rock (right) in Toronto in 2006. Photo by Mick Tobyn.
Background information
OriginHarlem, New York, United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1985–2014
LabelsProfile Records, Funky Base Records
Associated actsThe Delphonics
The Cut Technician, Kyle Rifkin
Past members
  • Rob Base
  • DJ E-Z Rock (deceased)

Career

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 songs on their sophomore album.

The first Profile release was "It Takes Two". It uses multiple samples from the James Brown and Lyn Collins 1972 song "Think (About It)." The track first became a regional hit and then slowly climbed the Billboard Hot 100, picking up a multi-platinum single certification. The song also peaked at #3 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

An album, also called It Takes Two, was quickly put together and it produced a significant follow-up hit, "Joy and Pain", which sampled a song of the same name by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, as well as "Put The Music Where Your Mouth Is" by The Olympic Runners. It also hit the top 10 on the dance chart and climbed to #58 on the Hot 100. "Get On the Dance Floor," produced by David Wynn (DJ Wynn), a track released to clubs in between the two singles, hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1989. Boosted by those singles the It Takes Two album went platinum seven times over. However, vicious rumors started to circulate that Rob Base had legal problems for using samples from Maze's Frankie Beverly for the hit "Joy and Pain", and he had his own personal problems. DJ E-Z Rock also was forced to leave the group due to his own personal issues, so Rob Base was left to be a solo artist.

He responded in 1989 with The Incredible Base, his debut solo album. It did not sell as well as It Takes Two. One song from the album hit the dance chart in late 1989: "Turn It Out (Go Base)", credited only to Rob Base.

In 2008, their song "It Takes Two" was ranked number 37 on VH1's 100 greatest songs of hip hop.[2]

Personal life

Rob Base, born Robert Ginyard on May 18, 1967, was born and raised in Harlem (NY). He attended Harlem public schools and loved music. Influenced by rap, Rob began his journey and performed at many talent shows and any open mic, or hip-hop events that he could. Rob’s first child, De'Jené Ginyard, was born in 1989 to his then girlfriend Rhonda Dunbar, with whom he was in a relationship from 1986-90. In 1991, Rob met April and had a son, Robert Ginyard, Jr., in 1992, Later together, they took guardianship custody of April's cousin Dysell. Rob and April were then later married and remained together until her death in September 2013.[3]

DJ E-Z Rock died on April 27, 2014 after suffering a diabetic seizure at the age of 46.[4]

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart
positions		 Certifications
(sales threshold)
US US R&B
1988 It Takes Two 31 4
  • US: Platinum
1989 The Incredible Base
  • Release date: November 17, 1989
  • Label: Profile Records
 50 20
  • US: Gold
1994 Break of Dawn
  • Release date: September 13, 1994
  • Label: Funky Base Records
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)		 Album
US US Dance US Rap US R&B
1988 "It Takes Two" 36 3 x 17
  • US: Platinum
 It Takes Two
"Get on the Dance Floor" — 1 6 —
"Joy and Pain" 58 9 5 11
1989 "Turn It Out (Go Base)"
(Rob Base)		 — 23 — — The Incredible Base
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. "x" denotes that chart did not exist at the time.
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References
  1. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "It Takes Two - Rob Base, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  2. Jim Macnie (2008-09-24). "VH1′s 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs Ever". VH1. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  3. Archived February 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Jason Newman (2014-04-27). "DJ E-Z Rock of 'It Takes Two' Fame Dead at 46 | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
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