It is 2 a.m. at a wedding in 2026, and the DJ is losing the crowd. He’s tried the latest TikTok viral hits and some mid-tempo pop, but half the guests are checking their phones. Then, that familiar, eerie disco-space siren from the 70s kicks in. Suddenly, a booming voice commands: "Right about now, you're about to be possessed..." Everyone knows what happens next. The "Yeah! Woo!" explodes, the floor fills, and for the next five minutes, nobody cares about their sore feet or the heat.
Honestly, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock It Takes Two is a bit of a miracle. It’s a track that shouldn’t have worked as well as it did, yet it somehow bridged the gap between the gritty, territorial hip-hop of 1980s New York and the neon-soaked pop charts of the world. It wasn't just a "party record." It was a seismic shift in how we listen to rap.
The Harlem Secret Behind the Sound
Most people think of this song as a polished studio product, but it actually started as a neighborhood project meant for the local roller rinks in Harlem. Rob Base—born Robert Ginyard—and DJ EZ Rock (Rodney Bryce) weren't trying to change the world. They were trying to get people moving at the rink.
They met in the fifth grade. They were best friends before they were a duo. That chemistry is why the song feels so effortless. When they walked into Hillside Sound Studio in Englewood, New Jersey, they weren't carrying a massive budget. They were carrying a vision.
The track was basically finished in the final hours of their studio session. Talk about pressure. Most of us struggle to choose a lunch order under pressure, but they managed to assemble the greatest hip-hop single of all time while the clock was literally ticking toward their checkout time.
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That Iconic Sample (It's Not Who You Think)
If you ask a casual listener who the woman shouting "Woo!" is, they’ll probably guess James Brown. Close, but not quite.
The heavy lifting on the track comes from Lyn Collins, specifically her 1972 song "Think (About It)." James Brown produced her, and he's actually the one doing the "Yeah!" while Lyn handles the high-pitched "Woo!"
The duo took that one-second snippet and looped it into infinity. At the time, management actually fought them on it. They thought the sample was too repetitive. They wanted Rob to cut back on the "Woo!"
Imagine if he’d listened to them. The song would be a footnote in history instead of a multi-platinum anthem. Rob and EZ Rock stood their ground, insisting that the repetition was exactly what made the groove hypnotic. They were right.
Why People Called Them "Sellouts"
It’s hard to believe now, but when Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock It Takes Two first started climbing the charts in 1988, the "hardcore" rap scene was skeptical.
The song was too catchy. It was too "dancey."
In the late 80s, hip-hop was often defined by a certain ruggedness. Groups like Public Enemy or N.W.A were the standard. When Rob Base came out with a song that was played in suburban malls and on MTV's prime-time rotation, some peers whispered that he was selling out.
Rob addressed this directly in later years. He pointed out that while those "hardcore" critics were stuck playing small local gigs, he was touring the world. He didn't change his style to go pop; the world just happened to love the style he already had.
- Chart Fact: The song hit No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its real power was in the clubs, where it reached No. 3 on the Dance chart.
- The Follow-up: "Joy and Pain" was actually a huge hit too, proving they weren't a fluke, though it never quite eclipsed the "It Takes Two" phenomenon.
The Tragedy of DJ EZ Rock
While Rob Base remains a fixture on throwback tours and 80s cruises in 2026, the duo's story has a heartbreaking side. Rodney "DJ EZ Rock" Bryce passed away in 2014 at the age of 46.
The cause was complications from type 2 diabetes.
It’s a massive loss for the culture. EZ Rock was the one who understood the "pocket" of a song. He knew exactly how to layer the Galactic Force Band’s "Space Dust" (the intro sound) with the James Brown breaks. Without his ear for the turntable, Rob’s lyrics wouldn't have had the foundation they needed to fly.
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Whenever you see Rob Base perform today, he usually takes a moment to pay tribute to his partner. It’s a reminder that "it takes two" wasn’t just a catchy hook; it was their reality.
The Production Magic of Teddy Riley
You can’t talk about this era without mentioning Teddy Riley. He was the architect of New Jack Swing, and he had his hands on the production of "It Takes Two."
He brought that syncopated, "jump-up" rhythm that defines the late 80s. It’s that slight swing in the beat that makes it impossible to stand still. If the beat was a straight 4/4 march, it would be boring. Riley and the production team (including William Hamilton) made sure it had a "bounce."
How to Appreciate the Track Today
If you really want to hear the genius of the song, don't listen to it on your phone speakers. Find a pair of high-quality headphones or a system with a real subwoofer.
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Listen to the way the bassline interacts with the drum break. It’s not just a loud noise; it’s a conversation. Notice how Rob Base doesn't over-rap. He lets the music breathe. He knows that his job is to guide the party, not to dominate it with complex metaphors that nobody can dance to.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Listener
To get the full "It Takes Two" experience, or to understand why it still matters in the 2020s, try these steps:
- Listen to the Source: Go back and play Lyn Collins' "Think (About It)" from 1972. You will be shocked at how many other hip-hop songs (thousands, literally) use the same drum break and vocal stabs.
- Watch the Video: Look for the original music video. It captures a specific moment in Harlem fashion—big gold chains, leather jackets, and an energy that feels authentic because it was filmed right where they grew up.
- Check the Samples: Look up the song on "WhoSampled." You’ll see how everyone from Snoop Dogg to the Black Eyed Peas has paid homage to this specific production.
- Support the Legacy: Rob Base is still active. If he’s performing at a festival near you, go see him. Even in 2026, he brings a level of energy that puts younger performers to shame.
The song isn't just a nostalgia trip. It’s a masterclass in how to build a hook that lasts forever. It's proof that sometimes, the simplest ideas—a great loop, a charismatic voice, and a best friend on the decks—are the ones that change music history.