Fatman Scoop, known to many as the “undisputed voice of the club,” died after reportedly collapsing during a concert Friday night in Connecticut.
His family confirmed his death in an Instagram post on Saturday. He was 53.
“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop,” a post on his Instagram page read. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”
The rapper and hype man, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was performing at the Green and Gold Party summer concert in Hamden, about six miles from New Haven, when he suffered a medical emergency on stage.
The town’s mayor Lauren Garrett said he was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
In a statement Saturday, Garrett thanked people from the crowd and paramedics who attempted to perform life-saving measures.
“On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop,” she posted on Facebook. “He was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park.”
The mayor said grief counseling services would be available for community members.
Video posted on social media showed a shirtless Fatman Scoop hyping up the crowd at the Town Center Park shortly before collapsing. In one video, he walks to the back of the DJ booth and says, “If you came to party, make some noise.” He then appears to fall over, falling into the DJ.
The event was scheduled to happen last month but because of weather, it was postponed to Friday night.
Fatman Scoop has worked with some of the biggest musicians, including on Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That,” Ciara’s “Level Up (Remix),” and Chingy’s “Let’s Ride.”
“FatMan Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage,” his family wrote. “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 extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”
Missy Elliott said Fatman Scoop’s “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 be NEVER be forgotten,” she wrote in a post on X.
Ciara posted on X: “Rest Easy at @FatmanScoop! You were truly one of the best voices in hip-hop! I’m so glad I got to experience your greatness! We will all miss you greatly.”
Public Enemy rapper Chuck D called Fatman Scoop a “great human being.”
Questlove, from the hip-hop band The Roots, said Fatman Scoop was the “embodiment of what hip hop was truly about. To just forget about your troubles and live in the moment and allow joy in.”
“So sad to see you go my brother,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “You will be missed but you will NEVER be forgotten. *raises $100 bill in honor of your memory*.”