Iconic US rapper dies after collapsing on stage during concert

Fatman Scoop, 53, has died after collapsing on stage while headlining a major show in the US.

Grammy-winning rapper and DJ Fatman Scoop has died after collapsing onstage during a show in the US.

The New York City musician, who became popular after his tune Be Faithful became a 1990s club favorite, was mid-performance at a free concert in Hamden, Connecticut when he suffered a medical emergency.

The rapper, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was 53.

Video posted to social media captured the shirtless rapper hyping up the crowd at the “Green and Gold Party” at Hamden Town Center Park as he stepped up to the DJ booth’s platform and collapsed out of the audience’s view, The New York Post reports.

Fatman Scoop has died aged 53. Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

People could be seen performing chest compressions behind the screen of the DJ set as other performers on stage led the crowd in prayer, according to the video and multiple reports.

Authorities were called to the park around 8:33pm, according to TMZ. He was advertised to start his concert at 7.15pm.

Footage has been released by fans of the performance.

He collapsed behind a DJ booth.

Freeman was stretchered off the stage and transported to a local hospital.

Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett confirmed Fatman Scoop experienced

a medical emergency before being transported to a hospital by ambulance.

“Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers,” Garrett posted to Facebook.

The musician - seen here in 2019 - collapsed mid-show. Picture: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Freeman’s death was confirmed on social media Saturday morning by the DJ and producer Birch Michael, also known as Pure Cold, who identified himself as the rapper’s tour manager.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts I announce the passing of Issac Freeman III, professionally known as Fatman Scoop,” Michael wrote.

“I am honestly lost for words … you took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely [sic] made me the man I am today.”

The rapper was scheduled to perform at the event last month but inclement weather forced the show to be rescheduled to the August rain date.

Fatman Scoop’s death was also confirmed by Reminisce Festiva in the UK, where Scoop was scheduled to perform on September 7.

“His absence will be profoundly felt by everyone,” the festival said in an Instagram post.

“He was not just one of our most popular performers, he was a cherished member of the Reminisce family.”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.