Rapper Fatman Scoop, 53, dies after collapsing on stage in Connecticut

NEW YORK (AP) — Fatman Scoop, who became a musical sensation in Europe with “Be Faithful” two decades ago and later contributed to numerous hits by other artists, died after collapsing on stage during a show Friday in Connecticut. He was 53.

The exact cause of his death was not immediately known.

Fatman Scoop was performing at Hamden Town Center Park when he collapsed on Friday evening, according to town chief of staff Sean Grace. Mayor Lauren Garrett shared on Facebook that he had experienced a medical emergency. Concertgoers and paramedics attempted to assist him before he was rushed to a hospital.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, his family expressed their grief, stating that “the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon on stage and in life.”

To the world, he was an artist who ignited dance floors and captivated audiences. To his family, he was “the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage,” they wrote.

“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,” his relatives added.

Born Isaac Freeman III, Fatman Scoop hailed from New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. He achieved his breakout success with “Be Faithful” in 1999. Initially a minor success in the U.S., the song became a massive hit in Europe upon its 2003 re-release, reaching No. 1 on the singles charts in the U.K. and Ireland.

In 2004, he appeared on the U.K. television series “Chancers,” where musicians mentored aspiring artists aiming to make it in the U.S. He also competed on “Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs USA,” which aired in 2015.

Fatman Scoop, also known as Fat Man Scoop or FatMan Scoop, gained immense recognition for his feature role on Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” a summer anthem of 2005 that also featured Ciara. The track earned a Grammy for its short-form music video at the 2006 award show.

That same year, he was featured on Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.” Throughout his career, he collaborated with artists like Timbaland, David Guetta, The Situation, and Skrillex. In 2018, he reunited with Missy Elliott and Ciara for a remix of Ciara’s “Level Up.”

Missy Elliott celebrated Scoop’s “VOICE and energy” on social media, highlighting his contributions to songs that brought joy to listeners for over two decades.

“Your IMPACT is HUGE & will NEVER be forgotten,” she said.

His longtime booking agency, MN2S, remembered him as an artist with “boundless enthusiasm,” a passion for music, and a personality that “made an indelible mark on the industry.”

Sharron Elkabas, his MN2S representative, shared that she had spoken to him just days before his passing.

“He was in such good spirits. It’s hard to believe he is no longer with us,” she reflected.

Source: Associated Press