Rob Base dies at 59, leaving behind hip-hop's most sampled song

Why this story

Hip-hop pioneer death with cultural legacy angle. Adds entertainment diversity to lineup.

AUDIENCE TAKE

Base created the ultimate crowd-pleaser — 'It Takes Two' still packs dance floors 38 years after its 1988 release.

CRITIC TAKE

Base helped hip-hop cross over — Rolling Stone credits 'It Takes Two' with ongoing influence across music and film.

CULTURAL CONTEXT

Base died Friday after a private cancer battle, marking the end of Harlem's late-80s hip-hop golden era.

Hidden Truth

Hidden truth: Base's hit exploited 1980s legal loophole — heavy sampling like 'It Takes Two' became unaffordable after early-90s lawsuits.

Should 'It Takes Two' be considered one of hip-hop's most important crossover songs?

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