Who are Rob Base’s wife and children? Family details emerge after rapper’s death at 59

Rob Base, known for 'It Takes Two,' died at 59 following a cancer diagnosis. He was married to Lynette Blackwell and had two children, Dejene and Robert Jr

Hip-hop pioneer Rob Base died at the age of 59 following a cancer battle, according to reports published Thursday. The "It Takes Two" hitmaker, whose real name was Robert Ginyard, passed away after receiving a cancer diagnosis, according to a joint social media post made by Rob Base's official Instagram account on Friday, May 22.

Rob Base died at the age of 59 following a cancer battle. (X)

As fans revisited his career and legacy, many also searched for details about the rapper’s personal life, particularly his wife and children.

According to Hip Hop Scriptures, Rob Base had been married to April and was the father of two children: a daughter named Dejene and a son, Robert Jr.

According to his Instagram account, it appears that Base had separated from April and was subsequently married to Lynette Blackwell before he passed away.

Rob Base balanced music fame with a private family life

Born Robert Ginyard in Harlem, New York, Rob Base rose to fame during hip-hop’s golden era as one-half of the duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.

The pair exploded into mainstream popularity with their 1988 hit It Takes Two, a track that became one of the most sampled and recognizable songs in hip-hop history. The song’s influence extended far beyond rap, eventually appearing in films, sporting events, commercials and party playlists worldwide.

Despite his larger-than-life stage persona, Base maintained a relatively guarded personal life.

In a feature published by Celebrity Parents Magazine in 2022, Base described family as one of his greatest motivations and reflected on how becoming a father influenced his perspective on success and responsibility.

The rapper also discussed how the success of “It Takes Two” transformed his life financially and professionally, while emphasizing that his role as a father remained more important than celebrity recognition.

Rob Base's wife and children

Rob was married to April for “19 wonderful years.” He said, “I knew her when 'It Takes Two' came out.”

He told Celebrity Parents Magazine that the duo were friends first. “She was still really young, though. I had to wait for her!” Base told the Magazine.

Base told the magazine that he and April had three children, along with April's younger cousin, whom the couple adopted when she was two years old.

His eldest daughter is Dejene, who is now 24. Rob Jr. was their youngest son, who turned 21 this year, and Dysell, April's cousin, who turned 22.

He said, “All three of them are good kids. We’re lucky.”