Fatman Scoop dies after collapsing on stage

Fatman Scoop has died aged 53 after he collapsed mid-performance at his concert in Connecticut, US, on Friday.

The US rapper, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was headlining the free-to-attend Green & Gold Party at the Town Center Park in Hamden.

He was seen in a video to have collapsed behind the DJ booth after urging concertgoers to “make some noise”.

Mayor Lauren Garrett said in a post to Facebook that the rapper was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. His booking agency, MN2S, later confirmed his death in a statement.

Scoop was best known for his collaborations with Missy Elliott and Ciara on the Grammy Award-winning hit Lose Control and Mariah Carey on It’s Like That, and has been credited as an influential figure in New York City’s hip-hop scene in the 1990s.

“Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe,” said a spokesperson from MN2S.

“His iconic voice, infectious energy, and great personality made an indelible mark on the industry.”

“Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe”

Missy Elliot said in a post on X: “Fatman Scoop voice and energy have contributed to many songs that made the people feel happy and want to dance for over two decades. Your impact is huge and will be never be forgotten.”

Fatman Scoop’s tour manager, DJ Pure Cold, wrote in a post on Instagram that he was “lost for words” at the news of his friend’s death.

“You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet,” he wrote. “The things you taught me have truly made me the man I am today.”

The rapper was due to perform at the UK’s Reminisce Festival on 7 September. In a post on Instagram, the festival called the news of his death “devastating”.

“He was not just one of our most popular performers, he was a cherished member of the Reminisce family,” the festival said. “His energy, talent and infectious spirit will be missed more than words can express.”

Fatman Scoop collaborated with a roster of other prominent artists, including Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. In 2004, he was tapped to mentor six British musicians in the UK TV series Chancers. He also appeared in the anime series The Boondocks and opened his own ice-cream parlor.

In 2015, he was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs USA, which was housed in the UK. He was the third housemate to be evicted.

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