Rob Base, Harlem Rapper Who Anchored 'It Takes Two,' Dies at 59

Hip-hop pioneer Rob Base performs at the Houston Dash 90s Bash in Houston on Oct. 8, 2023. The Harlem-born rapper, who anchored the platinum 1988 crossover anthem "It Takes Two," died Friday after a private battle with cancer. He was 59. (Photo: 2C2K Photography, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Rob Base, the pioneering Harlem rapper whose 1988 platinum single "It Takes Two" became a foundational anthem for hip-hop and global dance culture, died Friday following a private battle with cancer. He was 59.

Born Robert Ginyard, the artist passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to a statement released on his official social media accounts.

"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."

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Base emerged from the New York hip-hop scene in the mid-1980s alongside his childhood friend and musical partner DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney "Skip" Bryce). After building local momentum in Harlem with early singles, the duo signed with Profile Records in 1987. The following year, they released "It Takes Two," a track that permanently altered the trajectory of the genre.

Built around a heavy, driving drum break and a vocal sample from Lyn Collins’ 1972 James Brown-produced funk track "Think (About It)," the song successfully bridged the gap between raw, lyric-driven hip-hop and the high-energy club scene. Introduced by Base's iconic opening declaration — "I wanna rock right now / I'm Rob Base and I came to get down" — the single peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard dance charts, reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, and quickly achieved platinum certification.

The accompanying album, also titled "It Takes Two," generated subsequent massive dance-floor hits including "Joy and Pain" and "Get on the Dance Floor." The project secured the duo's legacy during hip-hop's golden era, proving the commercial viability of rap music in mainstream spaces without compromising its street origins.

While the group's dynamic shifted in the 1990s — with Base releasing the solo album "The Incredible Base" in 1989 before reuniting with DJ E-Z Rock for 1994's "Break of Dawn" — his foundational 1988 work remained a permanent fixture in global pop culture. "It Takes Two" has been endlessly sampled by subsequent generations of producers and remains a ubiquitous presence in film, television, and sports arenas.

Memorial service arrangements for Ginyard have not yet been announced.

Federal Jury Orders Ye to Pay Over $430,000 in Copyright Lawsuit Over Uncleared Sample

Rapper and entrepreneur Ye, right, stands alongside former Adidas executive Eric Liedtke in front of a Yeezy promotional display. A federal jury in Los Angeles recently ordered Ye and his affiliated companies, including Yeezy LLC, to pay over $430,000 in damages following a copyright infringement trial over an uncleared song sample.

A federal jury has ordered the artist legally known as Ye to pay more than $430,000 in damages for using an uncleared sample during a massive stadium listening event in 2021.

The unanimous verdict, delivered last week in Los Angeles, concluded a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by a group of musicians including veteran hip-hop producer DJ Khalil (Khalil Abdul-Rahman), Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff and Josh Mease. The plaintiffs alleged that Ye, formerly Kanye West, unlawfully used their 2018 instrumental track "MSD PT2" as the backbone for an early, unreleased version of his Grammy-winning song "Hurricane."

During the six-day trial, the court heard that Ye played the uncleared version of "Hurricane" for 40,000 fans at a listening party for his 10th studio album, "Donda," at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium in July 2021.

Plaintiffs' attorney Irene Lee successfully argued that the stadium event generated an estimated $5.5 million through ticket sales, merchandise and a streaming deal with Apple Music, rendering the unauthorized broadcast a commercial copyright violation.

"There was no deal, no agreement, no license, and no clearance," Lee told the jury during closing arguments.

The jury found Ye personally liable for $176,153, while his company Yeezy LLC was ordered to pay the exact same amount. Two of his affiliated companies, Yeezy Supply LLC and Ox Paha Inc., were additionally found liable for $41,625 and $44,627, respectively.

Ye testified in person during the trial, telling jurors that he believed his team had gone through standard industry procedures to clear the sample. The "MSD PT2" sample was ultimately removed and replaced with recreated elements before the final version of "Hurricane" — which featured The Weeknd and Lil Baby and later won a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance — received its official commercial release.

Following the verdict, a spokesperson for Yeezy dismissed the outcome as a "failed shakedown," noting the plaintiffs had initially sought up to $30 million before the judge dismissed several of the more lucrative composition claims prior to trial.

"The moral of the story? There is a cost attached to thinking you can take advantage of Ye," the spokesperson said.

Britton Monts, a manager for Artist Revenue Advocates, the company that represented the four musicians in the lawsuit, celebrated the jury's decision.

"It's a victory for working artists, who typically lack the resources to go against someone like Ye, a megastar and celebrity," Monts said. "The underdogs got their day in court."

Rap Pioneer MC Lyte Officially Becomes ‘Dr. Moorer’ at Bennett College Ceremony

MC Lyte at the Essence Festival of Culture in July 2025. (Credit: Danielle G. Campbell / Wikimedia Commons)

Pioneer hip-hop artist and lyricist MC Lyte was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Bennett College during the institution’s centennial commencement ceremony this past weekend.

The honor, presented Saturday on the campus quadrangle, arrives during a massive milestone spring for the artist. Born Lana Michele Moorer, the hip-hop trailblazer was also recently announced as an official 2026 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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Moorer, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s as the first solo female rapper to release a full-length studio album with 1988's "Lyte as a Rock," served as the keynote commencement speaker for the historic women's college. During her address to the Centennial Class of 2026, Moorer presented members of the graduating class with a special commemorative gift to mark the institution's 100th year as a women's college.

Interim President Dr. Teresa Hardee formally conferred the degree before a gathering of nearly 1,000 graduates, families, and alumnae.

"It was an honor to present this special recognition to someone whose voice has shaped culture and impacted generations," Hardee said during the ceremony. "MC Lyte's influence extends far beyond music. She is an entrepreneur, visionary, philanthropist, and advocate whose work continues to inspire people around the world. ... Today, she is not only a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. She is also officially a Bennett Belle."

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The academic accolade adds to a highly decorated legacy for Moorer, whose 1993 single "Ruffneck" secured the first gold certification for a solo female rap artist in music history.

Last month, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class, recognizing Moorer in the Early Influence category alongside Queen Latifah, Fela Kuti, and Celia Cruz. The formal induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Los Angeles.

In a recent interview reflecting on the Rock Hall honor, Moorer noted the cultural significance of the recognition and her enduring longevity in the industry.

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"Starting from 16 years old rapping lyrics in a basement to now taking on one of the most esteemed acknowledgements, to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — it feels surreal," she said. "It's humbling and serves as a reminder to keep moving in the direction of positivity and know that I am just the conduit. God is working through me to bring the very best of whatever it is he gives me as a creative vision. I just feel like I keep getting better."