Rapper and radio personality Fatman Scoop died Friday after collapsing onstage in Hamden, Connecticut. He was 53.
Scoop, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, was performing at the Town Center Park when he collapsed and died.
Cell phone video shows a shirtless Freeman hyping the crowd. His last words before he collapsed were, “If you came to party, make some noise.”
I REALLY hope he comes out of this ok. Prayers up for Fatman Scoop. ??????pic.twitter.com/rR9PxNkiaR
— Chaddie The Baddie Turner (@TheMrChadTurner) August 31, 2024
Another video angle shows a medic performing CPR on Freeman at the DJ booth.
he died doing what he loved’
the white sheets at the end made me shed a tear, knowing we all will be there –
rip FatMan Scoop! pic.twitter.com/QJ3dWPTZe3— Divine7i (@divine7i) August 31, 2024
“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,” his family wrote in a statement on Saturday. “Fatman Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle, and a friend.”
Freeman’s publicist said the rapper drank an energy drink seconds before going onstage and that, “He never drank energy drinks” before.
In a tribute, hip-hop drummer Questlove called Freeman “the undisputed voice of the club.”
Freeman was best known for his collaborations with artists such as Missy Elliott (“Lose Control”) and Mariah Carey (“It’s Like That”). He won a Grammy Award and a Soul Train Award for “Lose Control.”
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 ?? pic.twitter.com/IjFtIaajDK
— Ciara (@ciara) August 31, 2024
Freeman was featured on the remix to Ciara’s single “Level Up,” featuring Missy Elliott.
He appeared as himself on the TV series “The Boondocks.” And in 2015, he entered the “Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs. USA” house in London as a contestant.
His ex-wife Shanda Freeman shared an Instagram photo of herself and the “Be Faithful” artist alongside two broken heart emojis.
