Missy Elliott, Jim Jones and other friends and collaborators of Fatman Scoop have shared their thoughts after his tragic death.
Scoop, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, was 53. He was performing at Hamden Town Center Park on Friday (August 30) when he suddenly fell down. He received CPR and was taken to a nearby hospital, according to CT Insider. News of his death broke early Saturday morning.
Missy took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (August 31), to mourn the loss of her “Lose Control” collaborator. She wrote: “Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time [prayer hands emoji] 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.. [dove emoji, prayer hands emoji].”
Jim Jones shared a video of him with Scoop, and wrote a lengthy tribute to the New York mainstay on Instagram.
He penned: “So many stories I have wit u bro u watch me grow up in th project I watch u become successful from Shawnberg we lived accros th street from each other[.] Even before th fame u would see me and say it’s something about u and u was totaly right I never knew wht u meant but I understood wht u were sayin[.] … To my 5th Ave border brother u will b forever missed th game lost a true legend from Harlem but th heavens above just received a great angel watch over Harlem bro[.] I’m a do th rest till we meet again my friend FATMANSCOOP.”
Ludacris wrote on Instagram: “Scoop was one of those people that reminded you what the word LOVE Truly means. It’s an ACTION, and with his ACTIONS he exuded the PUREST form of Passion For HIP HOP. Every human being that he came Into contact with felt that LOVE & that PASSION. THIS is the Type Of LEGACY WE should ALL continue from here on until ETERNITY.”
Pink Siifu wrote on X: “EYE WAS TRYNA GET FATMAN SCOOP ON BIG OLE SHIT AINT WRK OUT BUT PROMISED EYE WAS GONE CIRCLE BACK’! IM DEVASTATED’! DANCING COMING UP HIS VOICE WAS LIKE GOD TO ME’! NEVER WILL BE ANOTHER’! LONG LIVE THA HYPEST MAN ALIVE’! [broken heart emoji].”
Prayers for Fatman Scoop 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 is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten..🕊️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/e4R9Z3inKd
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 31, 2024
EYE WAS TRYNA GET FATMAN SCOOP ON BIG OLE SHIT AINT WRK OUT BUT PROMISED EYE WAS GONE CIRCLE BACK’! IM DEVASTATED’! DANCING COMING UP HIS VOICE WAS LIKE GOD TO ME’! NEVER WILL BE ANOTHER’! LONG LIVE THA HYPEST MAN ALIVE’!💔
— siifu (@PinkSiifu) August 31, 2024
After his death, Scoop’s family issued a statement to the artist’s official Instagram page, billed as “A Message from the Freeman Family.”
“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop,” it began.
“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”
The message continued: “FatManScoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend.
“He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage…
“FatMan Scoop’s legacy is of love and brightness, it will reside in our hearts and memories forever.”