Fatman Scoop’s cause of death finally revealed weeks after rapper tragically collapsed on stage

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HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT: The cause of rapper and hype man Fatman Scoop's death has finally been revealed.

The 53-year-old entertainer — whose real name was Isaac Freeman III — reportedly died due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as confirmed by the Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday, September 24. His death was classified as natural.

Fatman Scoop's final performance

Fatman Scoop tragically collapsed during what would become his final performance. It all went down on August 30 during a summer concert at Hamden Town Center Park in Connecticut, just six miles from New Haven.

According to Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett, the rapper had a "medical emergency on stage" and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

"On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop. He 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 shared with Fox News.

That night, video clips of his final moments began circulating online — showing Fatman Scoop shirtless and doing what he did best: hyping up the crowd. But things took a turn when all of a sudden a loud thud echoed across the venue.

A voice — still full of breath but clearly out of it — said, "Hold up, you gotta understand this. Big man, gotta relax, I’m stretching… Big man gotta chill," hinting that he was not feeling well. "They ain’t got no fans on this stage. Jesus."

Giving the audience everything he had, Scoop rallied the crowd one last time: "Hamden, where y'all at? Make some noise for me, heavy baby."

The energy in the atmosphere turned somber as medical staff rushed toward the stage and began performing CPR. Despite their efforts, the situation was dire and it soon became clear that the world was losing a legend.

Fatman Scoop's family and friends speak out

In the aftermath of his tragic demise, Fatman Scoop’s family and friends were quick to pay tribute to the man who had not only touched their lives but also made an indelible mark on the world of hip-hop.

"It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop," a statement released on his Instagram account read. "Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life."

The tribute continued: "FatMan Scoop was not just a world-class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle, and friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage."

His longtime tour manager Birch Michael also shared his grief on social media. "It is with the heaviest of hearts I announce the passing of Isaac Freeman III, known professionally as Fatman Scoop," Michael wrote in his tribute.

"You taught me how to be the man I am today. I love you Scoop, thank you so much for everything you gave to me."

Michael added in a caption, "I am honestly lost for words... You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truly made me the man I am today."

Fatman Scoop's storied career

Fatman Scoop’s career spanned decades and he touched the lives of many through his work in music, radio, and beyond. His big break came in 1999 with the release of 'Be Faithful' alongside Crooklyn Clan. The track was a massive hit and went global after its re-release in 2003.

Fans loved him for his unparalleled ability to hype up any crowd, but he was more than just a loud voice -- he was an artist in his own right.

Over the years, Scoop collaborated with numerous industry legends. One of his most memorable tracks was Missy Elliott’s 'Lose Control', which also featured Ciara. The track earned Fatman Scoop a Grammy Award for Best Short-Form Music Video in 2006 and a nomination for Best Rap Song. He also worked with Mariah Carey on 'It’s Like That'.

Fatman Scoop also had a presence on television. In 2004, he appeared on the UK show 'Chancers' where he served as a music mentor, and in 2015, he was a contestant on 'Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs USA'.

In 2020, he launched the 'Make Noise with Fatman Scoop' podcast, where he interviewed big names like Snoop Dogg, Charlamagne Tha God, and Will.I.Am.