American rapper Fatman Scoop, known for his hit song “Be Faithful”, has died aged 53 after collapsing during a concert.

The musician, real name Isaac Freeman, collapsed while performing a concert in the US town of Hamden, Connecticut, on Friday.

American rapper Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman, has died at the age of 53, his manager announced on Instagram on Saturday, August 31. “The things you taught me really made me the man I am today.”he wrote in an Instagram post. On Friday night, the artist had a “medical emergency” while performing on stage in Hamden, Connecticut, according to a Facebook post from the city’s mayor.

The rapper is considered an influential figure in the New York hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He is best known for his hit Be Faithfuloriginally released in 1999, then again in 2003, or the song It Takes Scoop.

Fatman Scoop had also collaborated with very famous American artists, such as Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott.

After his collapse, the rapper was rushed to hospital, where doctors were unable to resuscitate him, according to several American media outlets. Paramedics performed cardiac massage while he was still on stage, according to a video of the event obtained by the celebrity news website TMZ.

Hip hop queen Missy Elliott paid tribute to Fatman Scoop, writing on X (ex-Twitter) that “voice and energy” of the artist had “contributed to many songs that made people happy and wanted to dance for over two decades.” “Your impact is HUGE and will NEVER be forgotten,” she added.

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 NEVER be forgotten..🕊️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/e4R9Z3inKd

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 31, 2024

In 2018, Fatman Scoop briefly found itself at the heart of a controversy in Australia, when then Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a video clip of the song on Twitter. Be Faithful. A conservative and evangelical Christian elected official, Scott Morrison deleted his post after receiving criticism over the rapper’s lyrics, which were considered inappropriate for the decorum of the Australian Parliament. “It’s pretty obvious that this is not a song on my playlist,” he then quipped. The controversy prompted a response from Fatman Scoop, who addressed the Prime Minister on Instagram, saying: “I am honoured to have my voice resonating in the highest offices of the Australian government!”