Just hours before his sudden passing at age 53, Fatman Scoop celebrated the release of a new single, only to tragically collapse on stage later that night.
The Grammy-winning DJ suffered a medical emergency on Friday while performing at Town Center Park in Hamden, Connecticut, and his family announced his death the following morning without revealing the cause.
The radio personality, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, dedicated himself to… Instagram on Friday to share an update on his collaboration with musician Dyce Payso.
“LET HER OUT NOW LINK IN MY BIO ft @fatmanscoop thanks to all platforms,” she wrote alongside a clip from the accompanying music video.
Earlier this month, Fatman Scoop revealed the project with Payso, praising the young artist’s talent and ambition.
Just hours before his sudden passing at age 53, Fatman Scoop celebrated the release of a new single, only to tragically collapse on stage later that night; (photo dated November 2023)
The radio personality, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, took to his Instagram on Friday to share an update on his collaboration with musician Dyce Payso (R)
“I finished a song/video with @dyce_payso. Sometimes you know when someone’s made it, and I think this is it,” she wrote alongside a photo of the two together.
Freeman continued: ‘As well as making a lot of good connections, keep an eye on this guy. I see some very good things happening for the young fella.
“He’s got the look, the songs, but most importantly, HE WORKS HARD! AND THAT CAN’T BE TRAINED!”
Freeman’s manager, DJ and producer Birch Michael, announced the rapper’s death “with the heaviest heart” in social media posts Saturday morning.
Shortly afterward, the artist’s family said in a statement that he “was not just a world-class artist: he was a father, brother, uncle and friend.”
“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on stage and in life,” the family said. “He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage.”
Born in New York City in 1971, Freeman made a name for himself through collaborations with megastars like Missy Elliot and Mariah Carey in the early 2000s, and was known for his deep, growling vocal presence.
His family described him as “the undisputed voice of the club” and said his “music made us dance and embrace life with positivity.”
Three-time Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop has ventured into podcasting and reality TV in recent years, including appearing on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA in 2015.
The exact cause of the artist’s death is unclear, however it came after he suffered a medical emergency on stage on Friday.
Audience footage captured the moment the beloved rapper collapsed, which happened seconds after he woke up the crowd by chanting “Let’s make some noise!”
“LET HER OUT NOW LINK IN MY BIO with @fatmanscoop thanks to all platforms,” she wrote alongside a clip from the accompanying music video.
Earlier this month, Fatman Scoop revealed the project with Payso, praising the young artist’s talent and ambition; (photo 2000)
Audience footage captured the moment the beloved rapper collapsed behind a DJ booth, which happened seconds after he woke up the crowd by chanting “Let’s make some noise!”
The artist’s family paid an emotional tribute upon announcing his death, saying he was “the laugh of our lives” and calling him “the undisputed voice of the club.”
In the video, the rapper struts to the back of the stage and approaches a DJ booth, again yelling, “I said Hamden, make some noise!”
The hip-hop artist then walked up the stairs to the DJ booth, however, his breathing appeared to become labored as he panted in front of the microphone.
“If you came to the party,” the rapper said, before pausing for a long time. Then he appeared to lean forward. “Make some noise,” he drawled.
As soon as he finished speaking, he collapsed to the ground, dropping the microphone.
Screams of horror and gasps of fear could be heard from the audience as the rapper’s fellow artists attempted to calm the crowd.
“We’re having a good time,” one of them said, while another again asked the crowd to “make some noise,” which received a much quieter response than moments before.
After Fatman Scoop was taken off stage by medics, his fellow performers spoke to the crowd who stood in stunned silence.
The rapper’s manager said he was “speechless” over the 53-year-old rapper’s death
Three-time Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop has ventured into the world of podcasting and reality TV in recent years (pictured during Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA in 2015).
In another clip, a member of the rapper’s entourage approached the DJ station and turned off the music and an eerie silence fell over the venue.
With the DJ booth partially obscuring the view, a medical officer performed vigorous chest compressions on the rapper.
At around 8:33 p.m., authorities arrived at the scene. They carried the rapper out of the scene on a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital.
Hamden Mayor Lauren Garett said after the incident that Scoop was receiving emergency care and asked fans to “keep him in their thoughts and prayers.”
Tributes to the artist poured in quickly as news of his death was shared, with the UK’s Reminisce Festival, where he was scheduled to perform on September 7, sharing that his “absence will be deeply felt by all.”
“Not only was he one of our most popular artists, he was a beloved member of the Reminisce family,” the festival said.
Multi-award-winning artist and producer Fatman Scoop was known for his numerous collaborations, including with Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey and David Guetta.
Missy Elliot shared a touching tribute on Saturday AXsending his prayers to his ‘family for STRENGTH during this difficult time.’
“Fatman Scoop’s VOICE and energy has contributed to MANY songs that made people HAPPY and want to dance for over two decades. His IMPACT will NEVER be forgotten,” he wrote.
In 2014, he revealed that his uncle first gave him the nickname Fatman Scoop due to his love of ice cream, despite rumours that Lauryn Hill had bestowed it on him when he appeared as an extra in Fugee’s 1996 video for Killing Me Softly.
Artists Lil’ John and Timbaland also chimed in with tributes, recalling their time together as rising hip-hop artists.
Fatman Scoop pictured with his ex-wife Shanda Freeman in 2008
In the comments section of Freeman’s family post, Lil Jon wrote: ‘REST WELL BROTHER.’
Scoops’ frequent collaborators Timbaland and Fat Joe appeared to be at a loss for words, posting a series of emojis; the rapper’s ex-wife Shanda Freeman also shared two heartbreak emojis for a tribute post on her Instagram.
Dj Questlove wrote: ‘Thanks Scoop!’.
Freeman’s tour management, MN2S, added in a statement: “Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans around the world. His iconic voice, infectious energy and big personality left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will live on through his timeless music.”