Tragedy struck the music world as Fatman Scoop, a three-time Grammy Award winner, suddenly passed away at the age of 53. Just hours before his untimely death, he celebrated the release of a new single and performed on stage, where he later collapsed due to a medical emergency.
The renowned DJ and radio personality, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, took to his Instagram on Friday to share an update on his collaboration with musician Dyce Payso. He wrote, “LET IT GO OUT NOW LINK IN MY BIO ft @fatmanscoop all platforms thank you,” alongside a clip of the accompanying music video.
Just hours before his sudden passing at 53, Fatman Scoop celebrated the release of a new single, only to tragically collapse on stage later that evening; (pictured November 2023)
Earlier this month, Fatman Scoop revealed the project with Payso, praising the young artist’s talent and ambition. He wrote alongside a snap of the two together, “Finished Up A Song/Video With @dyce_payso – sometimes you just know when somebody got ‘it’ which I think he does.”
The radio personality, real name Isaac Freeman III, took to his Instagram on Friday to share an update on his collaboration with musician Dyce Payso (R)
Freeman continued, “On top of making a lot of great relationships for himself. Pay attention to dude. I see really good things happening with the young homey. He has the look, the songs, but more importantly- HE WORKS HARD! and u CANT COACH THAT!!”
Freeman’s manager, DJ and producer Birch Michael, announced the rapper’s death “with the heaviest of hearts” in posts to social media on Saturday morning.
Shortly after, the artist’s family said in a statement that he was “not just a world-class performer – he was a father, brother, uncle, and a friend.”
“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,” the family said. “He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.”
Born in New York City in 1971, Freeman made his name through collaborations with mega-stars including Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey in the early 2000s, and was known for his deep, roaring vocal presence.
His family described him as “the undisputed voice of the club,” and said his “music made us dance and embrace life with positivity.”
A three-time Grammy Award winner, in recent years Fatman Scoop ventured into podcasting and reality TV, including appearing on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA in 2015.
The artist’s exact cause of death is not clear, however, it came after he suffered a medical emergency on stage on Friday.
Footage from the audience captured the moment the adored rapper collapsed, which came seconds after he roused the crowd, shouting “Let’s make some noise!”
‘LET IT GO OUT NOW LINK IN MY BIO ft @fatmanscoop all platforms thank you,’he wrote alongside a clip of the accompanying music video
In the video, the rapper strutted toward the back of the stage and approached a DJ booth – shouting again: “I said Hamden, make some noise!”
Then the hip-hop artist climbed the stairs to the DJ booth, however, his breathing appeared to become labored as he panted into the microphone.
“If you came to party,” the rapper said, before taking a long pause. He then appeared to bend forward. “Make some noise,” he added, his words slurred.
As soon as he finished speaking, he collapsed onto the ground, dropping the microphone.
Across the audience, screams of horror and gasps of fear were heard, while the rapper’s fellow artists tried to calm the crowd.
“We’re having a good time,” one of them said, as another again asked for the crowd to “make some noise” – which was met with a far more muted response than moments earlier.
Tributes quickly poured in for the artist as news of his death was shared, with UK’s Reminisce Festival – where he was set to perform on September 7 – sharing that his “absence will be profoundly felt by everyone.”
“He was not just one of our most popular performers, he was a cherished member of the Reminisce family,” the festival said.
A multi-award-winning artist and producer, Fatman Scoop was known for his many collaborations, including with Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, and David Guetta.
Missy Elliot shared a touching tribute Saturday to X, sending her prayers to his “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 will NEVER be forgotten,” she wrote.
Artists Lil’ John and Timbaland also waded in with tributes, recalling their time together as rising hip-hop artists.