Hip-hop pioneer Rodney Bryce, a.k.a. DJ E-Z Rock, died at age 46 on Sunday, April 27, a spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stone; his cause of death is not yet known. Working with longtime collaborator, rapper Rob Base, DJ E-Z Rock helped create the 1988 track “It Takes Two”. The classic song, which blended house and R&B with hip-hop, sampled Lyn Collins’ 1972 song “Think (About It)” became one of the most influential and sampled crossover songs of all time—popping up on countless other songs plus movies, TV and video games.
DJ E-Z Rock and Rob Base’s debut album, also called “It Takes Two,” was certified platinum in 1989. Friends since their childhood in Harlem, they worked together again on Base’s 1994 album “Break of Dawn.”
Fellow hip-hop vets paid tribute to Bryce following news of his passing. “R.I.P. to EZ Rock from Rob Base and EZ Rock. You will truly be missed,” Biz Markie tweeted. Base himself remembered his beloved colleague via Instagram, posting an old photo of Bryce with the caption “R.I.Power DJ EZ Rock. Team Fearless Salute.”
Relive “It Takes Two” in the video above.
