Fatman Scoop, ‘Be Faithful’ Rapper, Dead at 53

Fatman Scoop, who also served as a hype man and radio and television personality, first rose to prominence with his 1999 single “Be Faithful,” which featured the Crooklyn Clan and used the same Chic sample as Faith Evans’ “Love Like This.” The track was a club favorite in Freeman’s native New York for years before — after clearing samples hurdles — becoming a worldwide smash upon its rerelease in 2003.

The rapper also appeared on Missy Elliott’s 2005 hit “Lose Control” alongside Ciara. The track reached at Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s video would go on to win the Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video, and the track earned a nomination for Best Rap Song.

Freeman would next feature on Mariah Carey’s 2005 single “It’s Like That” with Jermaine Dupri, another Top 20 single. Over the decades that followed, Freeman guested on singles by Skrillex (“Recess”), David Guetta (“Love Is Back”), Ciara (“Level Up” remix), Slaughterhouse, Smino and Doechii, and most recently Tech N9ne, appearing on that rapper’s “No Popcorn” last month.

A$AP Rocky also recently revealed that his song “Hood Happy,” on his upcoming album Don’t Be Dumb, would feature Fatman Scoop with Morrissey, Busta Rhymes, Flavor Flav, and Slick Rick.