Fatman Scoop reportedly drank an “energy drink” before collapsing on stage and dying on Friday at the age of 53.
The Grammy-winning DJ, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, suffered a medical emergency while performing at Town Center Park in Hamden, Connecticut. His family announced his passing the following morning, without disclosing a cause of death.
Sharron Elkabas, CEO of Freeman’s PR agency, revealed that the artist had consumed a drink containing stimulants before his performance.
“He drank an energy drink before he went on stage,” Elkabas said The Hollywood Reporter“He never drank energy drinks, but before this show he did.”
Elkabas also revealed that Freeman is survived by a son, daughter and brother.
Fatman Scoop drank an ‘energy drink’ before tragically collapsing on stage and passing away at the age of 53 on Friday (2017 photo)
Sharron Elkabas, CEO of Freeman’s PR agency, revealed that the artist had consumed a drink containing stimulants before his performance
Just hours before his sudden passing, Fatman Scoop celebrated the release of a collaboration with musician Dyce Payso called Let It Go.
The radio personality got to work on his Instagram on Friday to share an update on his collaboration with musician Dyce Payso.
“LEAVE IT NOW LINK IN MY BIO ft @fatmanscoop thanks all platforms,” he wrote alongside a clip from the accompanying music video.
Earlier this month, Fatman Scoop unveiled the project with Payso, praising the young artist’s talent and ambition.
“Finished a song/video with @dyce_payso – sometimes you just know when someone gets it, and I think he does,” he wrote alongside a snap of the two together.
Freeman continued, “On top of the fact that he’s built a lot of great relationships for himself. Watch out dude. I see some really good things happening with the young homey.
‘He’s got the look, the songs, but most importantly, HE WORKS HARD! and YOU CAN’T COACH THAT!!’
Freeman’s manager, DJ and producer Birch Michael, announced the rapper’s passing “with a heavy heart” on Saturday morning via social media posts.
Just hours before his sudden passing at the age of 53, Fatman Scoop celebrated the release of a new single, only to tragically collapse on stage later that evening; (photo November 2023)
The radio personality, real name Isaac Freeman III, shared an update on his Instagram on Friday about his collaboration with musician Dyce Payso (R)
Shortly afterwards, the artist’s family released a statement saying he was “not just a world-class artist — he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend.”
“Last night the world lost a shining soul, a beacon of light on stage and in life,” the family said. “He was the laugh of 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 megastars such as Missy Elliot and Mariah Carey in the early 2000s. He was known for his deep, booming voice.
His family described him as “the undisputed voice of the club” and said his “music made us dance and embrace life positively.”
Fatman Scoop, a three-time Grammy Award winner, has ventured into podcasting and reality TV in recent years. In 2015, he appeared on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA.
The exact cause of the artist’s death is unclear, but the death occurred after he suffered a medical emergency on stage on Friday.
Crowd footage captured the moment the beloved rapper collapsed, seconds after he had whipped the crowd into a frenzy with the chant, “Let’s make some noise!”
“LET IT OUT NOW LINK IN MY BIO ft @fatmanscoop thanks all platforms,” he wrote alongside a clip from the accompanying music video
Earlier this month, Fatman Scoop unveiled the project with Payso, praising the young artist’s talent and ambition; (photo 2000)
Crowd footage captured the moment the beloved rapper collapsed behind a DJ booth, seconds after whipping the crowd into a frenzy with a shout of “Let’s make some noise!”
The artist’s family paid a moving tribute when they announced his death, saying he was “the laugh of our lives” and calling him “the undisputed voice of the club”.
In the video, the rapper walks to the back of the stage and walks over to a DJ booth. He again yells, “I said Hamden, make some noise!”
The hip-hop artist then climbed the stairs to the DJ booth, but his breathing seemed to become more labored as he panted into the microphone.
“If you came to party,” the rapper said, before taking a long pause. He then appeared to lean forward. “Make some noise,” he added, slurring his words.
As soon as he finished speaking, he collapsed to the ground, dropping the microphone.
Screams of horror and anxious gasps could be heard from the audience as the rapper’s fellow artists tried to calm the crowd.
“We’re having a good time,” said one of them, while another asked the audience again to “make some noise,” to which they responded much more reservedly than a few moments earlier.
After Fatman Scoop was taken off stage by doctors, fellow artists spoke to the audience as they stood in stunned silence
The rapper’s manager said he was “wordless” over the 53-year-old’s death
Three-time Grammy Award-winning Fatman Scoop has ventured into podcasting and reality TV in recent years – pictured on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA in 2015
In another clip, a member of the rapper’s entourage walked over to the DJ table, turned off the music, and an eerie silence fell in the room.
With the DJ booth partially blocking the view, a medical official performed vigorous chest compressions on the rapper.
At around 8:33 p.m., authorities were called to the scene of the accident. They wheeled the rapper out of the venue on a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital.
Hamden Mayor Lauren Garett said after the incident that Scoop was undergoing emergency care and asked fans to “keep him in their thoughts and prayers.”
When news of his passing broke, tributes quickly poured in. The UK’s Reminiscence Festival, where he was due to perform on 7 September, said his ‘absence will be deeply felt by all.’
“Not only was he one of our most popular artists, he was also a beloved member of the Reminisce family,” the festival said.
Fatman Scoop, an award-winning artist and producer, was known for his many collaborations, including with Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey and David Guetta.
Missy Elliot shared a touching tribute on Saturday to Xand her prayers to his ‘family for STRENGTH during this difficult time.’
“Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made people HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT will NEVER be forgotten,” she wrote.
In 2014, he revealed that he first got the nickname Fatman Scoop from his uncle, due to his love of ice cream. This is despite rumors that Lauryn Hill had given him the nickname when he appeared as an extra in the Fugee’s 1996 music video for Killing Me Softly.
Artists Lil’ John and Timbaland also paid tribute, recalling their time as rising hip-hop artists.
Fatman Scoop pictured with his ex-wife Shanda Freeman in 2008
Lil Jon wrote in the comments on Freeman’s family post, “Rest in peace BROTHER.”
Scoops’ frequent collaborators Timbaland and Fat Joe both appeared speechless, posting a series of emojis – with the rapper’s ex-wife Shanda Freeman also sharing two heartbreaking emojis for a tribute post on her Instagram
Dj Questlove wrote: ‘Thanks Scoop!’.
Freeman’s touring agency MN2S added in a statement: ‘Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was enjoyed 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.’
