Fatman Scoop obit

Rapper Fatman Scoop dies at 53 after medical emergency during CT performance

 

He was not on the list.

Isaac Freeman III, better known as "Fatman Scoop," died at age 53 after suffering a medical emergency during his performance at Hamden Town Center Park on Friday, according to his tour manager.

The New York City native collapsed on stage while performing and received CPR before being transported to a hospital via ambulance.

"It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop," Freeman's family said in a statement posted to Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett's Facebook page. "Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life. FatMan Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage."

DJ and producer Birch Michael, also known as Pure Cold, who identified himself as Freeman's tour manager, initially posted about Freeman's death on Facebook and Instagram Saturday morning.

"I am honestly lost for words," Michael said. "You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today."

Freeman's booking agency that he worked with for 15 years, MN2S, released a statement about Freeman's death at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

"I spoke to him just a few days ago, and he was in such good spirits," Sharron Elkabas, Freeman's representative at MN2S, said in the statement. "It's hard to believe he is no longer with us."

Reminisce Festival, a UK festival featuring performances from DJs around the world, also confirmed that Freeman died. Freeman was scheduled to perform at this year's Reminisce Festival on Sept. 7.

"His absence will be profoundly felt by everyone," the festival said in an Instagram post. "He was not just one of our most popular performers, he was a cherished member of the Reminisce family."

Freeman was known for his guest performances on the Grammy award-winning single "Lose Control" by Missy Elliot and "It's Like That" by Mariah Carey. He also collaborated with artists such as LL Cool J, the Fugees, Timbaland & Magoo and Skrillex throughout his career.

"FatMan scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club," his family said in their statement. "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."

In a statement, Garrett, Hamden's mayor, said Freeman was a "wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park." She expressed gratitude for the audience members and Hamden paramedics that "attempted to offer life-saving assistance."

"For anyone who is having difficulty processing and mourning Isaac’s loss particularly after witnessing the tragedy unfold at town center park, we will be hosting grief counseling with our social worker," Garrett added.

Ronald Huggins, New Haven's deputy director of youth services, had been friends with Freeman for more than 10 years, he wrote in a Facebook post Saturday morning. Huggins shared various photos of himself and Freeman, including one that appeared to show the two of them standing on stage during Friday night's concert in Hamden.

"There wasn’t a time I called that you didn’t answer!" Huggins wrote. "I remember saying bro come to Hillhouse let’s chill with some of the kids and you did it with no hesitation. I am blessed and honored to have had you as a friend!"

Freeman originally was scheduled to perform in Hamden in July as part of the town's Free Summer Concert Series, but the show was postponed to Friday night. He also took the stage at New Haven's Westville Music Bowl in 2021.

NYU professor and author of "God Save The Queens: The Essential History of Women In Hip-Hop" Kathy Iandoli shared her memories of Freeman on X, formerly known as Twitter. She said that Freeman was "one of the nicest guys."

"For so many of us who were trying to make our way in the hip-hop industry in New York City, he was very welcoming and he was just really supportive of the generations that came after him," Iandoli said.

Iandoli said that for many people growing up in New York City, Freeman's voice was "probably the most prominent," as his music was heard on radio stations and in bars and clubs throughout the city.

"His was a voice and a sound that echoed through generations and decades," Iandoli said. "That's just the power that he had."