Rapper Fatman Scoop Dies at 53 After On-Stage Collapse in Connecticut

NEW YORK (AP) — Fatman Scoop, the rapper known for topping charts in Europe with “Be Faithful” in the early 2000s and lending his unique voice to hits by artists like Missy Elliott and Ciara, passed away after collapsing on stage in Connecticut. He was 53.

The cause of his death wasn’t immediately clear.

Fatman Scoop was performing at Hamden Town Center Park when he collapsed Friday evening. Concertgoers and paramedics tried to assist the artist, who was taken to a hospital.

His family announced the loss on Instagram, describing him as “a radiant soul, a beacon on stage and in life.”

Known for his gravelly voice and dance-floor-friendly music, Fatman Scoop was a staple of club playlists around the turn of the millennium. While fans and the world recognized him as the “voice of the club,” his family saw him as a source of “laughter, support, unwavering strength, and courage.”

“His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity. His joy was infectious and his generosity will be deeply missed but never forgotten,” they said, adding that he leaves a legacy of “love and brightness.”

Born Isaac Freeman III, Fatman Scoop hailed from Harlem in New York City and gained fame with his 1999 hit “Be Faithful.” The song saw renewed success in Europe with a 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,” mentoring artists who sought to make it in the U.S. He was also a contestant on “Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs USA” in 2015.

Fatman Scoop is perhaps best known for his feature role on Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” a 2005 hit that also featured Ciara. The song won a Grammy for its short-form music video in 2006.

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

On Saturday, Missy Elliott praised Scoop’s “VOICE and energy” on X, noting that he had contributed to numerous songs that brought happiness to many over more than two decades.

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

His longtime booking agency, MN2S, described him as an artist with “boundless enthusiasm,” a passion for music, and a voice and personality that left a significant mark on the industry.

Sharron Elkabas, his MN2S representative, said in a statement Saturday that she had spoken to him a few days earlier.

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

Associated Press writer Mallika Sen contributed.

Source: AP News, BBC