Rapper Fatman Scoop, born with the name Isaac Freeman III, has died. He was 53.
His family and tour manager, Birch Michael, shared statements on social media following the artist’s death. His official cause of death has not been revealed.
“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop,” a post on his Instagram page read on behalf of his family. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”
The hype man and radio personality was performing at a summer concert, Friday, hosted at Hamden Town Center Park in Connecticut. Hamden is six miles from New Haven.
Mayor Lauren Garrett shared on Facebook that the rapper had a “medical emergency on stage” and was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Video circulated online of the rapper shirtless and hyping up the crowd shortly before he collapsed. A loud thud was heard in the background.
“Hold up, you gotta understand this. Big man, gotta relax, I’m stretching… Big man gotta chill,” a voice over the mic said out of breath. “They ain’t got no fans on this stage. Jesus.”
Medical staff were seen running towards the stage and appeared to be performing CPR on the rapper.