Fatman Scoop, the Grammy-winning DJ, hype man and radio personality, died after collapsing onstage this weekend. He was 53.
Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman III, collapsed on Friday while performing at Town Center Park in Hamden, Connecticut, per video obtained by TMZ. His family announced his death on Saturday morning, but gave no cause.
In their statement, the family referred to Freeman as “a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life” who, on top of being a “world class performer” was also “a father, brother, uncle and a friend.”
“He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage,” they continued. “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.”
A statement from MN2S, Freeman’s PR firm, also spoke to his “iconic voice, infectious energy and great personality.” The company noted he had been a client for 15 years, and his “vibrant spirit, boundless enthusiasm and passion for music will always remain in our hearts.”
Sharron Elkabas, CEO of MN2S, also told The Hollywood Reporter, “He had an energy drink before going on stage. He never drank energy drinks, but he did before this show.”
Freeman is best known for his 1999 track “Be Faithful.” He was also featured on Missy Elliott’s 2005 “Lose Control,” for which he won a Grammy. The same year, he appeared on Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.”
Freeman and Dyce Paso had just premiered the official music video for their new song, “Let It Go,” on Friday morning. Last month, he was featured on Tech N9ne’s track, “No Popcorn.” On social media, he was celebrated for his club remixes of popular songs, including numbers by Nicki Minaj and Tyla.
Per Elkabas, Freeman is survived by his son, daughter and brother.
On Instagram, Questlove posted a tribute to the DJ, writing, “I want to thank Fatman Scoop for being an embodiment of what hip hop was truly about. To just forget about your troubles and live in the moment and allow joy in.”
DJ D-Nice also posted a tribute, saying “he was always kind to me. This is a major loss for the culture. My condolences to all of his loved ones.”