Fatman Scoop, recognized as the “undisputed voice of the club,” has died after reportedly collapsing during a concert in Connecticut on Friday night. He was 53 years old.
His family confirmed his passing in an Instagram post on Saturday, expressing their profound sadness and highlighting his legacy. “It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop,” they wrote. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”
The artist, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, was performing at the Green and Gold Party summer concert in Hamden, approximately six miles from New Haven, when he experienced a medical emergency on stage. The mayor of Hamden, Lauren Garrett, confirmed that he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
In her statement on Saturday, Garrett extended her condolences to Freeman’s family and friends and thanked the crowd and paramedics for their efforts to administer life-saving measures. “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,” she noted. The mayor also mentioned that grief counseling services would be provided for community members.
Social media video footage captured Fatman Scoop, shirtless and energizing the crowd at Town Center Park, shortly before he collapsed. In one clip, he was seen encouraging the audience to make some noise before suddenly falling over.
The event was originally scheduled for last month but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Throughout his career, Fatman Scoop collaborated with numerous prominent artists, including Missy Elliott on “Lose Control,” Mariah Carey on “It’s Like That,” and Ciara on “Level Up (Remix).”
His family reflected on his multifaceted life, describing him as a father, brother, uncle, and friend, as well as a remarkable performer. They said, “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 paid tribute to him, recognizing his influence on countless songs over the decades, while Ciara praised him as one of the best voices in hip-hop, lamenting his loss. Public Enemy rapper Chuck D referred to him as a “great human being,” and Questlove from The Roots expressed his sadness at losing someone who embodied the spirit of hip-hop.