“It Takes Two” may have been released in 1988, but even in 2014, when the song comes on, you’ll get a bunch of side eyes if you’re the person holding up the wall at a party. When it’s on, you dance. No matter what.
The music world is mourning the death on Sunday at age 46 of Rodney Bryce, better known as DJ E-Z Rock, the other half of hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock. Base confirmed the news to Rolling Stone, but the cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Base and Rock debuted in 1986 with “DJ Interview.” Two years later, “It Takes Two” catapulted them into hip-hop history. They were also responsible for the hit “Joy and Pain.”
Thanks to sampling by artists like Snoop Dogg and Gang Starr and spots in movies and video games, “It Takes Two” not only remains a part of hip-hop but also has had a heavy influence on pop culture.
Condolences have been pouring in on Twitter, not only from fellow hip-hop artists but also from fans:
RIP, DJ E-Z Rock!
Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.
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