It Takes Two: Famous Rapper/DJ Duos

Rob Base and E-Z Rock, Eric B & Rakim, and more.

To Make a Thing Go Right... - Although details are still murky in the death of DJ E-Z Rock, who died this past Sunday (April 27), his passing is a clear reminder of how this thing we love called "hip hop" all got started: with a deejay and an emcee rocking the party.In 1988, still during the nascent years of the culture, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock were among several acclaimed MC/DJ tag teams that helped shape hip hop for both hardcore fans and the mainstream. Together, they shot to fame with "It Takes Two," and they couldn't have been more accurate.Read on for more examples of popular rap duos, turntables required.(Photos from Left: PNP / WENN, Ron Wolfson /Landov)

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To Make a Thing Go Right... - Although details are still murky in the death of DJ E-Z Rock, who died this past Sunday (April 27), his passing is a clear reminder of how this thing we love called "hip hop" all got started: with a deejay and an emcee rocking the party.In 1988, still during the nascent years of the culture, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock were among several acclaimed MC/DJ tag teams that helped shape hip hop for both hardcore fans and the mainstream. Together, they shot to fame with "It Takes Two," and they couldn't have been more accurate.Read on for more examples of popular rap duos, turntables required.(Photos from Left: PNP / WENN, Ron Wolfson /Landov)

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock - This New York City duo struck platinum fame in 1988 with the release of their classic "It Takes Two." After becoming a hit on hip hop dancefloors, the single crossed over to Bar Mitvahs and frat parties nationwide, turning the rapper/DJ duo into pop stars. A platinum LP called It Takes Two followed, along with two other not-so-great selling LPs. Rob and E-Z continued to do shows for notstalgic '80s tours together up until EZ's recent death. (Photo: PNP / WENN)

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Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock - This New York City duo struck platinum fame in 1988 with the release of their classic "It Takes Two." After becoming a hit on hip hop dancefloors, the single crossed over to Bar Mitvahs and frat parties nationwide, turning the rapper/DJ duo into pop stars. A platinum LP called It Takes Two followed, along with two other not-so-great selling LPs. Rob and E-Z continued to do shows for notstalgic '80s tours together up until EZ's recent death. (Photo: PNP / WENN)

"Lyrics of Fury" - Accompanied by a blizzardous sample of James Brown's "Funky Drummer," Rakim's offers head-spinning proof that he is a lyrical master.  (Photo: David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Eric B. & Rakim - When DJ Eric B. was offered a recording session with famed DJ/producer Marley Marl, he initially went to rap vet Freddie Foxxx to be his MC. When Foxxx wasn't home, Eric turned to newcomer Rakim to be his partner-in-rhyme. The two recorded "Eric B. Is President" and "My Melody" in 1986, and the rest is hip hop history.  (Photo: David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The Tonight Show (1992) - DJ Premier got a rare opportunity to teach before a Gang Starr performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The show’s host joined Premo on stage for an impromptu demonstration (and explanation) of hip hop DJing. “This is like talking drums, so to speak,” Premier explained to Leno. “What I’m doing is taking a record that’s already made… I can make it into rhythmic pattern along with another record.”   (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Gang Starr - The pioneering duo Gang Starr (Guru and DJ Premier) rode the wave of Black consciousness to fame on their debut LP, No More Mr. Nice Guy, in 1989. Over the next 13 years, the two would craft some of hip hop's most notable LPs, including Step in the Arena (1991) and Hard to Earn (1994), as well as blaze a path for merging hip hop with jazz. Guru died in 2010 after suffering a heart attack. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Mind-blowing duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo may have been the Juice Crew's version of LL Cool J and DJ Cut Creator, but after their 1986 classic "It's a Demo," backed with the gangsta-centric "I'm Fly," hit hip hop's underground, they proved to be equally lethal. Following the release of the 1992 LP Live and Let Die, the two went their separate ways.  (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Mind-blowing duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo may have been the Juice Crew's version of LL Cool J and DJ Cut Creator, but after their 1986 classic "It's a Demo," backed with the gangsta-centric "I'm Fly," hit hip hop's underground, they proved to be equally lethal. Following the release of the 1992 LP Live and Let Die, the two went their separate ways.  (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Having carved a path as one of hip hop's best beat-makers in the late '80s and early '90s, Pete Rock teamed with rapper (and fellow Mount Vernon, New York, resident) CL Smooth for their neck-snapping debut Mecca and the Soul Brother in 1992. The duo is best known for their hit "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," their ode to late Heavy D dancer Trouble T-Roy.  (Photo: Catherine McGann/Getty Images)

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Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Having carved a path as one of hip hop's best beat-makers in the late '80s and early '90s, Pete Rock teamed with rapper (and fellow Mount Vernon, New York, resident) CL Smooth for their neck-snapping debut Mecca and the Soul Brother in 1992. The duo is best known for their hit "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," their ode to late Heavy D dancer Trouble T-Roy.  (Photo: Catherine McGann/Getty Images)

Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud - This rapper/DJ team thoroughly rocked the hip hop clubs of the tri-state in the late '80s with classic cuts like "Girls, I Got 'Em Locked" (1987) and their ode to James Brown's dance skills, "Do the James" (1988).  (Photo: Epic)

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Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud - This rapper/DJ team thoroughly rocked the hip hop clubs of the tri-state in the late '80s with classic cuts like "Girls, I Got 'Em Locked" (1987) and their ode to James Brown's dance skills, "Do the James" (1988).  (Photo: Epic)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Before Will Smith became a pop culture icon and Hollywood power player, he was clean-cut rapper Fresh Prince, playing vocal accompaniment to the awe-inspiring deejaying skills of Jazzy Jeff. At a time when hip hop needed a commercial-friendly voice to push the genre to the mainstream, the Philly-duo offered up mega-hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," helping to land hip hop its first Grammy.  (Photo: CBS /Landov)

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DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Before Will Smith became a pop culture icon and Hollywood power player, he was clean-cut rapper Fresh Prince, playing vocal accompaniment to the awe-inspiring deejaying skills of Jazzy Jeff. At a time when hip hop needed a commercial-friendly voice to push the genre to the mainstream, the Philly-duo offered up mega-hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," helping to land hip hop its first Grammy.  (Photo: CBS /Landov)

Atmosphere - Formed in the underground hip hop scene of Minneapolis, this rapper (Slug)/DJ (Ant) team has steadily maintained a notable music career since 1997, when their debut LP Overcast shook the landscape. Since then, they've released six stellar albums, including God Loves Ugly and Seven's Travels. 

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Atmosphere - Formed in the underground hip hop scene of Minneapolis, this rapper (Slug)/DJ (Ant) team has steadily maintained a notable music career since 1997, when their debut LP Overcast shook the landscape. Since then, they've released six stellar albums, including God Loves Ugly and Seven's Travels. 

Blackalicious - Hailing from Sacramento, California, rapper Gift of Gab and his DJ/producer Chief Xcel (together known as Blackalicious) made a splash in 2002 with their alt-rap single "Make You Feel That Way." At a time when the hip hop nation was rethinking the music's gangsta image, they offered a pre-Kanye alternative.  (Photos: Karl Walter/Getty Images)

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Blackalicious - Hailing from Sacramento, California, rapper Gift of Gab and his DJ/producer Chief Xcel (together known as Blackalicious) made a splash in 2002 with their alt-rap single "Make You Feel That Way." At a time when the hip hop nation was rethinking the music's gangsta image, they offered a pre-Kanye alternative.  (Photos: Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Audio Two - "Milk is Chillin/Giz is Chillin'/What more can I say... Top Billin'." Call this the opening line to one of the most beloved singles of hip hop music's golden era. At the helm of this classic cut was the Brooklyn MC/DJ duo Audio Two. The pair is also famous for helping introduce the hip hop world to MC Lyte.  (Photo: Atlantic Records)

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Audio Two - "Milk is Chillin/Giz is Chillin'/What more can I say... Top Billin'." Call this the opening line to one of the most beloved singles of hip hop music's golden era. At the helm of this classic cut was the Brooklyn MC/DJ duo Audio Two. The pair is also famous for helping introduce the hip hop world to MC Lyte.  (Photo: Atlantic Records)

Photo By Photo: Atlantic Records