US rapper Fatman Scoop dies at 53 after collapsing on stage

Scoop topped charts in Europe with Be Faithful two decades ago and later contributed to hits by other artists. His family wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday that “the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon on stage and in life.” If the world knew him as an artist who got clubgoers moving, his family cherished him as “the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage,” his relatives wrote on social media. Hip-hop star Elliott wrote on X that Scoop’s “voice and energy have contributed to many songs that made the people feel happy and want to dance for over two decades. Scoop also briefly became embroiled in a political dispute in Australia in 2018 when the country’s then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a clip that featured his hit Be Faithful. The uproar prompted a response from Scoop, who tagged Morrison in an Instagram post saying: “I am humbled to have my voice rocking in the highest offices of the Australian Government!” The rapper defended his lyrics: “It’s a fun PARTY SONG that has no NEGATIVITY or HARM in it!