Missy Elliott, Questlove and Ludacris are some of the music legends to pay tribute to Fatman Scoop, the Grammy-winning DJ and hype man who died after collapsing during a performance on Friday.
Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman III, collapsed on Friday while performing in Connecticut. His family announced his death on Saturday morning, but gave no cause.
On Instagram, Questlove posted a lengthy tribute to the DJ, writing: “I want to thank Fatman Scoop for being an embodiment of what hip hop was truly about. To just forget about your troubles and live in the moment and allow joy in.”
He dedicated the tribute “on behalf” of a long list of groups, including “everyone who procreates after a celebratory night in the club,” “all human beings whose hands have the ability to raise up” and “EVERY DJ who needed to spike the punch with adrenaline music to make the energy INSTANTLY rise from a 3 to a way past spinal tap 11.”
Missy Elliott, with whom Freeman collaborated on 2005’s “Lose Control” for which he won a Grammy, also honored the DJ’s memory with “prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during such a difficult time.”
“Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to SO MANY songs that made people feel HAPPY & want to DANCE for over 2 decades everytime you hear them… His IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten,” Elliott added.
Ludacris wrote that “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.”
DJ D-Nice also posted a tribute, saying “he was always kind to me. This is a major loss for the culture. My condolences to all of his loved ones.”
Freeman is best known for his 1999 track “Be Faithful.” He was also featured on Missy Elliott’s 2005 “Lose Control,” for which he won a Grammy. The same year, he appeared on Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.”
Freeman and Dyce Payso had just premiered the official music video for their new song, “Let It Go,” on Friday morning. Payso wrote on Instagram he was “lost for words” regarding Freeman’s death.
“We was just together a couple of weeks ago shooting our video. You said you’d fly in just for me and thinking about it now I’m so grateful that we got that time and made something so dope and crazy. Thank you for being my friend, a Big Bro, a mentor, and being apart of my music. This is my biggest record and I’m so honored and thankful that it was with you. These are the best memories of you I’ll keep forever. I I [sic] promise to keep your spirit alive. RIP Fatman Scoop!”
Freeman’s family referred to him as “a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life” who, on top of being a “world class performer” was also “a father, brother, uncle and a friend.”
“He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage,” they continued. “FatMan Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity. His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”