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"There are many critics and listeners who claim that Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock's 'It Takes Two' is the greatest hip-hop single ever cut," noted music criticStephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide. "It's hard to disagree with them." Spin magazine published a list titled "100 Greatest Singles of All Time" in 1989 and ranked "It Takes Two" at number one. In 2021, it was listed at number 116 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time".
Composition and background
The song was produced by Rob Base, DJ E-Z Rock, and William Hamilton and built around the "Yeah! Woo!" sample and other elements from Lyn Collins' 1972 song "Think (About It)." Rhonda Parris was brought in by Profile Records to sing the hook. The song was sampled in November 1989 by the group Seduction in their hit song "Two to Make It Right" (lyrics only) as well as by the Black Eyed Peas in their 2009 hit "Rock That Body".
Critical reception
Simon Reynolds from Melody Maker wrote, "The Rob Base/E.Z. Rock track is another exercise in attrition through overbearing sensual soul power. They take a shriek of JB at his most histrionic, and turn what is on the original record a singular peak of ecstasy into a jackknifing rhythmic copula that just goes on and on and on, like a locked groove. Climax after climax after climax. The effect is akin to hyperventilation."
In 2000, DJ Kool used "It Takes Two" as a basis for his song of the same name, featuring Fatman Scoop. His version charted at number 12 on the US BillboardHot Rap Singles chart that July. Fatman Scoop later recorded his own version of DJ Kool's take, retitling it "It Takes Scoop", which features the Crooklyn Clan. It was released as the follow-up to "Be Faithful", which topped the UK Singles Chart in October 2003 and charted worldwide. Fatman Scoop wrote the track with Giotto Bini and Andrea Rizzo, and it was produced by the Crooklyn Clan.
It Takes Two (US CD single liner notes). DJ Kool. AV8 Records. 2000. AV8-147.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
It Takes Two (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). DJ Kool. AV8 Records. 2000. AV8-147.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
It Takes Scoop (UK 12-inch single sleeve). DJ Kool. Def Jam Recordings, AV8 Records. 2000. 9816984.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
It Takes Scoop (European CD single liner notes). DJ Kool. Def Jam Recordings, AV8 Records. 2000. 9817211.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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