He collapsed on stage in the middle of a live show

Fatman Scoop, a key figure in the New York hip-hop scene, has died unexpectedly. The musician collapsed during a concert. The reasons for his death are still unclear.

New York – American hip-hop artist Fatman Scoop, born Isaac Freeman, has died at the age of 53 after a sudden collapse on stage. The news of his death was announced by his agency to the German Press Agency International media, including the British BBCreported uniformly and quoted representatives of the deceased rapper.

Rapper Fatman Scoop is dead: Family shares moving words on Instagram

“It is with deep sadness and a very heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop,” his family posted a sad statement on Instagram.

“He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage,” the family said in a poignant statement. “Fatman Scoop was not only a world-class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and friend.”

He collapsed on stage in the middle of the show – Fatman Scoop is dead

The tragic incident occurred during a concert in the US state of Connecticut on Friday evening (August 30th), although the exact circumstances are still unclear. Several videos of the unfortunate incident, recorded by fans in the audience, have already circulated online.

Numerous companions and fans expressed their condolences under the Instagram post. Timbaland, Jordin Sparks, Ludacris and Cascada were among those who reacted to the shocking news. “My heart! Thank you for the joy, Scoop,” writes Sparks; Timbaland comments several times with praying hands and hearts. Fans add: “The loss leaves us all heartbroken” and “You will always be a legend.”

Fatman Scoop had a big influence on the New York hip-hop scene

An influential figure in the New York hip hop scene of the 1990s, Fatman Scoop rose to prominence through his contributions to popular songs such as Missy Elliott's Grammy-winning “Lose Control” and Mariah Carey's “It's Like That.” His own hit “Be Faithful” topped the charts in the UK and Ireland. In recent years, Fatman Scoop has also been a regular on television shows such as the international Celebrity Big Brother format.

Freeman once said that his uncle gave him the nickname “Fatman Scoop.” The reason: As a child, he loved eating ice cream. (jh/dpa)