Rapper 'Fatman Scoop' dies at age 53 after on-stage collapse

The rap world is mourning the loss of a beloved entertainer who passed away suddenly over the weekend.

As Fox News reports, Isaac Freeman III, better known to many as performer Fatman Scoop, died at the age of 53 after collapsing on stage during a concert in Connecticut.

Tragic scene unfolds

As NPR explains, Freeman was delivering a performance at Hamden Town Center on Friday night, when he suffered a medical emergency.

Though paramedics and fans attempted to render immediate assistance, and Freeman was transported to a hospital, his life could not be saved.

Freeman's passing was subsequently confirmed in an Instagram post shared by his family and tour manager Birch Michael.

“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FanMan Scoop. Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,” it read.

The statement continued, “FatMan Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.”

Tributes pour in

A Harlem, New York, native, Freeman made his music industry breakthrough with “Be Faithful” back in 1999, gaining particular acclaim in Europe a few years later with a re-release of the tune.

He went on to appear in a handful of television programs, here and abroad, and he also enjoyed fruitful collaborations with acts such as Ciara, Mariah Carey, Timbaland, David Guetta, Skrillex, and Missy Elliott.

In the wake of his death, Elliott herself took to X to write of Freeman, “Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER forgotten.”

Birch, Freeman's manager, offered profound words of grief but also gratitude for his friend's vibrant life, saying, “I am honestly lost for words... 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 truly made me the man I am today.”

Though the rapper's cause of death remains unclear, it is certain that the musical legacy Freeman leaves behind for friends, colleagues, and fans alike will endure well into the future.