RAPPER Fatman Scoop’s cause of death has been confirmed after he tragically collapsed while performing on stage.
Fatman Scoop, whose real name is Isaac Freeman, died last month in Connecticut, US, aged 56.
It’s now been revealed that he died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office found.
The disease emerges from high blood pressure going untreated over a long period of time.
Atherosclerosis refers to arteries becoming narrowed due to fat building up overtime.
He suffered a fall on August 30 while performing at a summer concert.
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Video soon emerged of the rapper hyping up the crowd without a shirt on, before walking behind the DJ booth.
He continued attempting to hype up the crowd, but took a long pause after saying: “If you came to party…”
He then appeared to bend forward over the booth saying: “Make some noise.”
At that point, Freeman’s words trailed off and he suddenly dropped to the ground.
Medical staff rushed to perform CPR, but sadly the rapper couldn’t be saved.
Fans in the crowd began screaming and shouting if Freeman was okay.
Lauren Garrett, the mayor of Hamden, later confirmed in a Facebook post that Freeman was taken to a nearby hospital.
The next day, fans learned of his death, with many quick to pay tribute.
The Harlem-born “Be Faithful” rapper was remembered as an icon and dubbed “the undisputed voice of the club”, perhaps best known for the line “Single ladies, make noise!”
His tour manager Birch Michael put out a heartbreaking statement following the shock death.
It said: “It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop.
“The world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.
“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.”
Fatman Scoop had no concerns about his health just prior to his shock death, Mirror reported.
Sharron Elkabas, his representative from booking agency MN2S, said: “He was in good health and spirits.
“He sounded on good form. This news has come as a huge and devastating shock, it’s still sinking in.”
Why the name ‘Fatman Scoop’?
The hip-hop icon’s stage name often struck fans as odd.
But he revealed the origins of it back in 2015.
“My uncle Jack, God bless the dead, would always take me to get ice cream,” Freeman told Mirror at the time.
“I loved ice cream! My parents would say, ‘Stop feeding that boy ice cream!’ But he said, ‘I don’t care, give him what he wants!’
“He nicknamed me Scoop and it stuck.
“Then of course I was a fat guy, so it was Fatman Scoop. It was that simple.”