Rapper Fatman Scoop dies at 56 after collapsing on stage

Isaac Freeman III, the award-winning rapper and hype man known professionally as Fatman Scoop, has died after suffering a medical emergency on stage.

Freeman's death was confirmed on Saturday in a statement shared on his verified Instagram page.

"It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop," the statement from Freeman's family said. "Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life."

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Freeman for more information.

On Friday, a video shared by TMZ showed Freeman appearing to suffer a medical emergency and collapsing on stage while performing during a concert at Town Center Park in Hamden, Connecticut. He was 56, his booking agency confirmed after original reports misidentified his age as 53.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett confirmed that Freeman "had a medical emergency on stage" and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. "Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers," she wrote. On Saturday, Garrett offered "heartfelt condolences to the family and friends" of the rapper.

"I am grateful to the audience members and to our paramedics that attempted to offer life-saving assistance," Garrett said. "For anyone who is having difficulty processing and mourning Isaac's loss particularly after witnessing the tragedy unfold at Town Center Park, we will be hosting grief counseling with our social worker."

Freeman worked with artists like Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott during his career and was featured on songs such as Elliott's "Lose Control," which won the Grammy for best short form music video. The rapper is also known for tracks like his own "Be Faithful" from 1999.

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Rapper Blxst, who released his latest album "I'll Always Come Find You" in July, recently spoke with USA TODAY about employing Fatman Scoop on his song "Too Many Friday Nights."

"I just needed a nostalgic moment," he said.

In a statement, Fatman Scoop's booking agency MN2S said it was "heartbroken" by his death.

"Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe," the agency said. "His iconic voice, infectious energy, and great personality made an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will live on through his timeless music."

Sharron Elkabas, a representative for Fatman Scoop at MN2S, also said, "I spoke to him just a few days ago, and he was in such good spirits. It's hard to believe he is no longer with us."

Tributes pour in from Questlove, Timbaland, more

Tributes for Freeman poured in Saturday on social media, with DJ Andrew Hypes sharing on X that the rapper was "one of THE most influential artists/voices to ever do it."

Freeman had been slated to appear at the Reminisce Festival in September. In a post on its Facebook page, the festival said it was "heartbroken" by the news of his death.

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"Scoop was scheduled to perform at this year's Reminisce Festival, and his absence will be profoundly felt by everyone," the festival said. "He was not just one of our most popular performers, he was a cherished member of the Reminisce family. His energy, talent and infectious spirit will be missed more than words can express."

The statement by Freeman's family remembered him as "not just a world class performer" but a "father, brother, uncle and a friend."

"Fatman Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club," the statement added. "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."

Questlove honored Freeman in a comment on the Instagram post, writing, "Thank you Scoop!"

"I want to thank FATMAN SCOOP for being an embodiment of what hip hop was truly about," Questlove wrote in his own Instagram post. "To just forget about your troubles and live in the moment and allow joy in. So sad to see you go my brother. You will be missed but you will NEVER be forgotten."

Other musical artists like Timbaland and Blasterjaxx chimed in with condolences on the post to Freeman's Instagram account.

Contributing: Naledi Ushe

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fatman Scoop dies: Rapper and hype man was 56