Fatman Scoop’s cause of death has been revealed a month after he collapsed on stage in front of fans and later passed away in hospital.
The rapper, real name Isaac Freeman III, died from heart disease aged 56, the Connecticut medical examiner’s office determined.
Freeman suffered hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which led him to collapse while performing in Hamden, Connecticut on August 30.
Tributes poured in for the iconic club figure, with his family saying in a statement at the time of his death that he was a ‘beacon on stage and in life.’
Fatman Scoop’s cause of death has been revealed as heart disease, a month after he collapsed on stage in front of fans and later passed away in hospital
When Scoop suffered a medical emergency while performing, footage of the moment showed fans screaming as he disappeared from view behind a DJ deck.
Seconds before, the legendary hype man was rousing the crowd, shouting: ‘Let’s make some noise!’
In video taken from the crowd, the rapper then 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.
Paramedics rushed to the stage as an eerie hush fell over the venue. One of Scoop’s fellow performers again asked for the crowd to ‘make some noise’ – which was met with a far more muted response than moments earlier.
Footage from the audience captured the moment the adored rapper collapsed behind a DJ booth, which came seconds after he roused the crowd, shouting ‘Let’s make some noise!’
After Fatman Scoop was taken off stage by medics, fellow artists spoke to the crowd as they stood in stunned silence
Rapper Fatman Scoop has passed away aged 56 after suffering a medical emergency on stage
Hamden Mayor Lauren Garett said following the incident that Scoop was undergoing emergency care and asked fans to ‘keep him in your thoughts and prayers.’
Born in New York City in 1971, Freeman made his name through collaborations with mega-stars including Missy Elliot and Mariah Carey in the early 2000s, and was known for his deep, roaring vocal presence.
His family led tributes in the wake of his death, saying 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 at the time. ‘He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.’
The three-time Grammy Award winning artist’s family described him as ‘the undisputed voice of the club’, and said his ‘music made us dance and embrace life with positivity.’
The UK’s Reminisce Festival – where he was set to perform on September 7 – shared 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.
The artist’s family paid a touching tribute as they announced his death, saying he was ‘the laughter in our lives’ as they branded him as ‘the undisputed voice of the club’
Fatman Scoop pictured with his ex-wife Shanda Freeman in 2008
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.
Taking to the comments section of Freeman’s family post, Lil Jon wrote: ‘REST WELL BROTHER.’
Scoops’ frequent collaborators Timbaland and Fat Joe both appeared lost for words and posted a string of emojis – with the rapper’s ex-wife Shanda Freeman also sharing two heartbreak emojis for a tribute post to her Instagram
Dj Questlove wrote: ‘Thank you Scoop!’.
Freeman’s touring agency MN2S added in a statement, ‘Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe. 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.’