Rapper and hip-hop hype man Fatman Scoop is dead at 53, multiple sources confirm.
Scoop, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, was reported dead after collapsing on stage at a show on Friday, August 30. After he collapsed, Scopp was immediately rushed to the hospital. Producer Pure Cold, also known as Birch Michael, shared the tragic news via Instagram.
NOVEMBER 11: Fatman Scoop is seen during Fridayz Live ’23 at RAC Arena on November 11, 2023 in Perth, Australia. The rapper and hype man was unfortunately reported dead following a show on Friday, August 30.
Matt Jelonek/Getty Images
“You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet,” said Pure Cold in the post’s caption, “the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today.”
Scoop was known for his many club hits, including the track “Be Faithful.” He also worked on several collaborations with hip-hop artists — notably with the likes of Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Ciara, and Tech N9ne. Oftentimes, he would give his songs a bit of extra spice with his fiery ad-libs — one of his most famous being “let’s go now.” Some of his most famous collaborations include “Lose Control” by Elliott and Ciara, as well as “It’s Like That” by Mariah Carey, the latter of whom is also grappling with the death of her mother and sister, both of which occurred last weekend.
Since news broke of Scoop’s unfortunate passing, much of the hip-hop world has taken to social media to pay tribute and offer condolences.
“Rest in peace, to the Legend Fat man Scoop,” Wrote Juicy J on X (formerly Twitter).”
Rest in peace, to the Legend Fat man Scoop
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) August 31, 2024
“Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades,” Wrote Elliott. “Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten.”
Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time🙏🏾 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..🕊️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/e4R9Z3inKd
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 31, 2024
“If you were outside in the 90s in NYC, you couldn’t escape a Fatman Scoop mix,” wrote author and hip-hop journalist Kathy Iandoli. “He had us all shouting out our Zodiac signs and thinking we had to be at 233rd and White Plains. Just last week I was watching Save The Last Dance and thought, ‘These Scoop mixes saved this movie.'”
If you were outside in the 90s in NYC, you couldn’t escape a Fatman Scoop mix. He had us all shouting out our Zodiac signs and thinking we had to be at 233rd and White Plains. Just last week I was watching Save The Last Dance and thought, “These Scoop mixes saved this movie.” lol
— ᴋᴀᴛʜʏ ɪᴀɴᴅᴏʟɪ, ᴍ.ᴀ. (sʜᴇ/ʜᴇʀ) (@kath3000) August 31, 2024
At the time of writing, a cause of death has not been revealed.
