Fatman Scoop, the rapper, D.J., and hype man behind the sleeper hit “Be Faithful” and whose booming voice on Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control” and Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That” brought him larger fame, has died after collapsing while performing at a show in Hamden, Connecticut on August 30, confirms The New York Times. Footage of the incident showed people attempting to perform CPR on Fatman Scoop behind equipment onstage, and Hamden mayor Lauren Garrett confirmed that paramedics tried lifesaving measures. He was 56.
“Fatman Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend,” Fatman Scoop’s family wrote in a statement on his official Instagram. “He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage. Fatman Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. 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. As we mourn the loss of Fatman Scoop, we also celebrate his remarkable life and the countless lives he touched. Fatman Scoop’s legacy is of love and brightness, it will reside in our hearts and memories forever.”
Born Isaac Freeman III in New York City in 1968, Fatman Scoop grew up in Harlem, where he learned about hip-hop up close in person from locals already flexing their skills on the street. When he began trying his hand at it, the rapper lifted his moniker from an old nickname given to him by his uncle, which nodded to his love of ice cream.
Fatman Scoop’s biggest solo success, “Be Faithful,” came as a surprise years after its release. With beats by the Crooklyn Clan that prominently sample “Love Like This” by Faith Evans, the track originally came out in 1999, but didn’t surge to No. 1 on the British Billboard singles chart until 2003. He went on to release three compilation albums over the years: 2003’s Fatman Scoop’s Party Breaks: Volume 1, 2006’s In the Club, and 2015’s Party King.
With his instantly recognizable and scratchy bellow, Fatman Scoop became a standout featured artist on some of the biggest songs of the 2000s, including Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control” and Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.” In addition to hopping on songs with Ciara, DJ Kool, and Tech N9ne, he also brought ample energy to remixes for Timbaland, Lil Jon, and Janet Jackson. In later years, Fatman Scoop hopped on the Skrillex song “Squad Out,” and A$AP Rocky recently revealed that he’s featured on his upcoming song “Hood Happy” alongside Morrissey, Busta Rhymes, Flavor Flav, and Slick Rick.
Beyond his career onstage, Fatman Scoop was also a former D.J. on New York radio station Hot 97, where he helped usher in their digital era with his late-night show Ignorant Radio. He also portrayed himself in the animated series The Boondocks, starred in the MTV reality show Man and Wife, and was a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs. USA. He also briefly tried his hand at trucking and running an ice cream company.
Fellow rappers and musicians have paid tribute to the late Fatman Scoop online after hearing of his death, including Ciara, Atmosphere, and Questlove. “Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time,” Missy Elliott wrote on X. “Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten..🕊️🙏🏾”