DJ E-Z Rock Dead at 46, Hip-Hop Community Reacts
Sad news to report from the hip-hop community. DJ E-Z Rock has reportedly died. A rep for Rob Base has confirmed it with Rolling Stone. Details are scarce on the cause of his death. He was 46 years old.
The tragic news broke on social media when rapper R.A. the Rugged Man posted on his Twitter Rob Base’s Facebook status, "RIP Skip (DJ EZ Rock) friends since 4th grade, I'm really going to miss you."
For some mysterious reason, Rob Base deleted the post from his timeline. However, he did post an E-Z Rock photo collage as his Facebook banner.
DJ E-Z Rock, whose real name is Rodney Bryce, was part of the Harlem duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock. The tandem produced the classic 1988 single, 'It Takes Two,' which can still get a party started just right no matter the occasion.
The song became a nationwide hit and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart. Their follow-up single, 'Joy and Pain,' which samples Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly’s song of the same name, was another club hit. The duo's 'Get on the Dance Floor,' which samples the Jacksons' 'Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground), reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Songs chart. Those three singles alone help the album achieved seven-times platinum status.
After the success of that album, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock split up due to personal reasons, only to reunite in 1994 for their second album, 'Break of Dawn.'
Upon hearing the sudden and tragic news of DJ E-Z Rock death’s, rappers and DJs alike went on Twitter to express their condolences. Read their tweets below:
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of DJ E-Z Rock. May he rest eternally in peace.
Watch Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's 'It Takes Two Video'