Fatman Scoop, the rapper known for his 1999 hit ‘Be Faithful’ and who collaborated with artists such as Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey, has died. He was 53.
Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman III, died after collapsing on stage during a concert in Connecticut on Friday evening. He was performing at Hamden Town Center Park when he had an “onstage medical emergency,” Mayor Lauren Garrett confirmed in a post on Facebook.
The hip-hop artist’s talent agency MN2S confirmed his death Variety on Saturday. A cause of death was not announced.
“Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans around the world,” MN2S CEO Sharron Elkabas said in a statement. “His iconic voice, infectious energy and amazing personality left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will live on through his timeless music.”
Elkabas said he spoke to Fatman Scoop “a few days ago and he was in such good spirits. It’s hard to believe he’s no longer with us.”
Fatman Scoop’s family also shared a statement about the rapper official Instagram page on Saturday wrote: “Last night the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on stage and in life.”
His family continued, “He was the laughing stock of our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage. FatMan Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity. His joy was infectious and the generosity he showed to everyone will be greatly missed but never forgotten.”
Fatman Scoop rose to prominence after the release of ‘Be Faithful’, featuring and produced by hip-hop duo The Crooklyn Clan. The 2003 re-release topped the charts in Britain and Ireland.
The rapper was known for his contributions to hit songs including Mariah Carey’s ‘It’s Like That’ in 2005 and Missy Elliott’s ‘Lose Control’ the same year. The Elliott song won the Grammy for best short music video and scored a Grammy nomination for best rap song.
“Prayers to the Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time,” Elliott wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “For over twenty years, Fatman Scoop’s voice and energy have contributed to MANY songs that made people feel HAPPY and want to dance. Your IMPACT is HUGE and will NEVER be forgotten.”
Fatman Scoop also appeared on tracks from Timbaland (“Drop”), Skrillex (“Recess”), Ciara (“Level Up” Remix) and more. He recently collaborated with rapper Tech N9ne on the single ‘No Popcorn’, which was released in July this year.
