The music world is mourning the loss of US rapper Fatman Scoop, who tragically passed away after collapsing mid-performance during a free concert in Connecticut on Friday night.
The New York-born artist, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, was 53 years old.
Fatman Scoop, best known for his energetic voice and collaborations on hit tracks like Missy Elliott and Ciara’s “Lose Control” and Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That,” was headlining the Green & Gold Party in Hamden, Connecticut, when he suffered what has been described as a medical emergency.
Video footage posted on social media shows the rapper encouraging the crowd to “make some noise” before suddenly collapsing behind the DJ booth.
He was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Missy Elliott, who worked closely with Fatman Scoop over the years, paid tribute to him on social media, saying:
“Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will NEVER be forgotten.”
Fatman Scoop first made waves in the UK and Ireland with the 2003 re-release of “Be Faithful,” a chart-topping track produced by Crooklyn Clan.
The song, built around Faith Evans’ “Love Like This,” itself a sample of Chic’s 1978 hit “Chic Cheer,” became a global sensation despite years of legal hurdles due to its extensive sampling.
Throughout his career, Fatman Scoop collaborated with a roster of top artists, including Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, and mentored young musicians on the UK TV series Chancers in 2004.
Beyond music, he appeared in the animated series The Boondocks and even opened his own ice cream parlor.
His passing is a significant loss to the music industry, with his booking agent MN2S stating, “Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe.
His iconic voice, infectious energy, and great personality made an indelible mark on the industry.”
Fatman Scoop’s death comes just over a year after the sudden passing of Houston rapper Big Pokey, who also collapsed on stage. Big Pokey, known for his role in the Screwed Up Click collective, was 48.
