MUSIC
Fatman Scoop songs: what were his most successful hits?
The rapper, whose real name was Isaac Freeman III, died on Saturday after collapsing on stage in Connecticut the previous day.
The music world has been in mourning since Saturday, when it was revealed that rapper Fatman Scoop, who real name was Isaac Freeman III, had died at the age of 53 after collapsing on stage during a performance at Town Center Park in Hamden, Connecticut on Friday night.
His tour manager, Birch Michael, shared the news on Facebook: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I announce the passing of Isaac Freeman III, Known professionally as Fatman Scoop. 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”.
“Be Faithful”: a sleeper hit in the UK and Ireland
During his career, Scoop released 12 of his own singles, the most iconic of which was the sleeper hit “Be Faithful”. Originally released to little fanfare in 1999, it was a major success in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it topped the charts, when it was rereleased four years later.
His debut single, “Where U @?,” was actually his biggest chart hit as a main artist on the US R&B chart in the United States, reaching No. 77. “It Takes Scoop,” the follow-up to “Be Faithful,” peaked at 12 on the US Rap chart in 2000.
However, Scoop is arguably better know for his collaborations, often as a hype man, with other artists, many of which have become anthems in clubs and on the radio worldwide.
Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott and Ciara collaborations
He worked with the likes of Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Timbaland, Pittbul, Lil Jon, Skrillex and David Guetta at different points of his career, although his collaborations with Mariah Carey, and Missy Elliott and Ciara, earned him his main commercial successes.
Scoop was a featured artist on Carey’s 2005 hit “It’s Like That,” which peaked at 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped US dance charts. It ranked 69 on the Hot 100′s end-of-year chart.
Later that year, he and Ciara were guests on Elliott’s “Lose Control,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was rated the 14th biggest hit of 2005.
The same trio reunited in 2018 on Ciara’s “Level Up,” which got to No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August and debuted at 10 in the US Digital Songs chart.
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How did Freeman get his ‘Fatman Scoop’ nickname?
According to ABC, Freeman was nicknamed ‘Fatman Scoop’ by his uncle when he was a child because of his love of ice cream. He also owned his own ice cream parlour.