Fatman Scoop, the American hip-hop artist known for his energetic performances and infectious hits, passed away at the age of 53 on Friday night. He collapsed on stage during a concert in Connecticut. His family announced his death on Saturday via his official social media page.
“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,” his family wrote in a statement. “FatMan Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle, and a friend.”
Born Isaac Freeman III, Fatman Scoop rose to fame with his 1999 hit “Be Faithful”, which experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2003. He was also a notable feature on several successful songs, including Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control” in 2005 and Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That” that same year. His collaborations extended to other prominent artists like Pitbull, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson. He transitioned into radio and became a beloved personality, mentoring aspiring musicians on the U.K. TV show Chancers. He also competed in the U.K. version of Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.
In a statement sent to TIME, Fatman Scoop’s talent agency, mn2ns, expressed their “heartbreak” over his passing, emphasizing the “indelible mark” his “iconic voice, infectious energy, and great personality” left on the music industry.
Sharron Elkabas, the musician’s representative, shared that she had spoken to him just a few days prior to his death and found him to be in “good spirits.”
Tributes from fellow artists and collaborators have poured in since the news of Fatman Scoop’s passing.
Rapper Missy Elliott, writing on X (formerly Twitter), offered prayers to his family, saying, “Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten.”
On Instagram, musician Questlove expressed gratitude to the rapper “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.”
Rapper Lil Jon posted a video on his Instagram story of Scoop recording his verse on “Lose Control.”
Producer Timbaland also shared a photo of Scoop holding an MTV Moonman award on Instagram, along with a caption expressing his “loss for words” and a string of white dove emojis.