Fatman Scoop, a New York City-born rapper, record executive and DJ, died after collapsing while performing at Town Center Park in Hamden, Conn. on Friday.

He was 53 years old.

His death was confirmed Saturday by his family in a statement shared on social media.

“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop,” his family wrote on the rapper’s Instagram account.

“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,” his family added, without providing a specific cause of death.

The rapper, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, had a “medical emergency on stage” and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett said in a Facebook post late Friday.

He was performing at the Green and Gold Party summer concert in Hamden, just north of New Haven, when he collapsed mid-song, as seen in video shared on social media. According to sources at the scene, paramedics rushed to perform CPR before he was ultimately carried away on a stretcher.

Sharron Elkabas, the CEO of the rapper’s PR firm, told The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday that Fatman Scoop “had an energy drink before going on stage. He never drank energy drinks, but he did before this show.”

Early Saturday afternoon, Mayor Garrett offered Hamden’s “heartfelt condolences” to the rapper’s family and friends.

“[Fatman Scoop] was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park,” Garrett wrote.

Born Aug. 6, 1971 in New York City, the hip-hop hype man and radio personality first came to prominence with the release of his 1999 single “Be Faithful”, featuring the Crooklyn Clan. The song saw modest success in the U.S. but topped the U.K. charts after a second release a few years later.

Throughout his 32-year career, the rapper also collaborated with multiple music powerhouses, including Mariah Carey, Timbaland, David Guetta and Skrillex.

In 2005, his featured role on Missy Elliot’s massive hit “Lose Control” earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Song.

“Fatman Scoop’s voice and energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY and want to dance for over two decades,” Missy Elliot wrote on social media Saturday. “Your IMPACT is HUGE and will be NEVER be forgotten.”

Fatman Scoop and rapper Dyce Payso had just premiered the official music video for their new song, “Let It Go,” on Friday morning.

He was next scheduled to appear on Sept. 7 at the Reminisce Festival in England.

The rapper is survived by a son and daughter.

Originally Published: August 31, 2024 at 3:29 p.m.