By: Todd “DG” Davis
Rapindustry.com
Before hip-hop became a billion-dollar industry with streaming numbers, brand deals, and corporate playlists, it was about the records that could move a room. The kind DJs would run back before the beat even finished because the crowd wasn’t ready to let it go. Few songs captured that energy the way “It Takes Two” did. When Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock dropped it in 1988, they weren’t chasing crossover formulas or chart positions — they were making something that felt good, something built for packed dance floors, booming speakers, and the rhythm of New York City.
Decades later, that same record still lights up a crowd like the first time the needle hit the vinyl. I caught up with Rob Base to talk about the song that became a global anthem, the brotherhood he shared with DJ E-Z Rock, and how a record made to rock the party turned into one of hip-hop’s most lasting classics.
Q: “It Takes Two” is still a universal anthem that defined a generation. Looking back, did you ever imagine that one track would become such a timeless staple?
Rob Base: Honestly? No. When we made “It Takes Two,” we were just trying to make something that felt good, something that would move the crowd. Back then, if our ‘hood in NYC reacted, we knew we had something. But timeless? We weren’t expecting that decades later it would still bring people to the dance floor. It’s been the gift that keeps on giving.
Quick story about the “Woo! Yeah!” — I remember while we were in the studio, we were told there were too many of them. DJ EZ Rock and I stood our ground, and the rest is history.
When you hear its enduring popularity, what feelings or memories does it evoke about 1988?
Rob Base: 1988 was the best year of our lives. Hip-hop was beginning to gain mainstream success; the culture was exploding. Hearing “It Takes Two” takes me back to packed clubs, touring the world, and realizing we weren’t just local anymore — we were international.
Your debut album went platinum — what was that rush like?
Rob Base: Platinum changes your life. There’s no other way to say it. Coming from Harlem, you dream big, but when that plaque comes in? It becomes real.
How do “Joy and Pain” and “Get on the Dance Floor” complement your legacy?
Rob Base:
“It Takes Two” was the explosion.
“Joy and Pain” showed range.
“Get on the Dance Floor” kept the energy alive.
You helped shape the hip-house crossover sound. Did you imagine shaping a genre?
Rob Base: We weren’t labeling it. We were just making music. We loved bringing records together to create a beautiful sound.
DJ E-Z Rock was your longtime partner. How did he shape your music?
Rob Base: Skip wasn’t just my DJ — he was my brother. We’ve been friends since the 4th grade. His ear was crazy. He understood rhythm in a way that elevated everything. Our chemistry wasn’t manufactured. It was real.
What do I miss most? The laughs — Skip was a funny dude. The backstage energy. The unspoken understanding when we hit the stage. You can’t recreate that kind of partnership.
How did Harlem shape your artistic identity?
Rob Base: New York… concrete jungle where dreams are made of. It’s not cliché — it’s real. I am a living testimony of it. Growing up in Harlem gave me confidence, it gave me style, and it gave me resilience.
You executive-produced Urban Flesh Eaters. How did that transition happen?
Rob Base: Zombie movies are my favorite genre, and I always wanted to make one — you know, a different form of storytelling. I partnered with filmmaker Lynette J. Blackwell and we created Urban Flesh Eaters, which is set in — you guessed it — New York City, lol. We couldn’t help it; we’re both from there.
Stepping into this lane felt inevitable for me. Executive producing Urban Flesh Eaters was about expanding my brand and making the type of movies that I love.
You’re still touring on the nostalgia circuit. What keeps your passion alive?
Rob Base: The fans. Period. I am grateful that they still want to come out and fill the seats. I’ve been blessed. I’ve been touring since ’88 and have been on the I Love the 90’s Tour for the last 12 years. The fact that people are still coming out and filling the seats is amazing.
When thousands of people from different generations sing every word back to you, it’s humbling. It’s a reminder that music is timeless. As long as the crowd feels it, I’m going to step on stage and give it to them.
Do you see yourself creating new music?
Rob Base: I helped create the score for Urban Flesh Eaters, and I’m looking to stay in that arena.
What advice would you give young artists?
Rob Base: Own your sound. Don’t chase trends — create them. Protect your business.
And understand that longevity comes from authenticity. A hit can change your life. A brand can make you a legacy.
One unforgettable moment from your career?
Rob Base: Making the video for “It Takes Two.” The label refused to put up the money for it, and back then music videos were important. We took our own money, went to 125th Street in Harlem with a camera, our crew, and dancers, and started shooting.
If you know about 125, you know it’s always crowded with people and celebrities. As soon as we pressed record, people joined us in making history. Moments later, Biz Markie showed up and jumped in, then DJ Red Alert.
The video helped with “It Takes Two’s” crossover and again… the rest is history.
