Fatman Scoop, the New York rapper who had a global hit with “Be Faithful” and was featured on singles by Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey and Skrillex, has died at age 53.
The artist born Isaac Freeman III was taken to a hospital after suffering a medical emergency while on stage during a concert on August 30 in Hamden, Connecticut. On Saturday morning, Freeman's tour manager Bryan “DJ Pure Cold” Michael was announced on social media that the rapper died. No cause of death was reported.
“I'm honestly at a loss for words,” Michael wrote. “You've traveled me all over the world and had me perform alongside you on some of the biggest and biggest stages on this planet, the things you've taught me have truly made me the person I am today.”
Freeman's tour agency 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 great personality left an indelible mark on the industry and his legacy will live on through his timeless music.
Fatman Scoop, who also served as a hype man and radio and television personality, first came to prominence with his 1999 single “Be Faithful,” which featured Crooklyn Clan and used the same Chic sample as “Love Like This” by Faith Evans. The track was a club favorite in Freeman's hometown of New York for years before – after clearing sampling hurdles – it became a global smash upon its 2003 re-release.
The rapper also appeared on Missy Elliott's 2005 hit “Lose Control” alongside Ciara. The track reached Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's video would go on to win a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video, and the track earned a nomination for Best Rap Song.
Freeman would next appear on Mariah Carey's 2005 single “It's Like That” featuring Jermaine Dupri, another Top 20 single. In the decades that followed, Freeman guested on singles by Skrillex (“Recess”), David Guetta (“Love Is Back”), Ciara (“Level Up” remix), Slaughterhouse, Smino and Doechii and most recently Tech N9ne featured on this rapper “No popcorn“last month.
A$AP Rocky also recently revealed that his song “Hood Happy,” on his upcoming album Don't be stupidFatman Scoop would play with Morrissey, Busta Rhymes, Flavor Flav and Slick Rick.
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