Share

On the corner of E. 109th Street and 5th Avenue in Harlem, thousands gathered in crowds for the posthumous co-naming of the intersection as Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The ceremony was held on the corner of DJ Fatman Scoop’s childhood home at 1274 5th Avenue. This was made possible by the Freeman Family, the Forever Fatman Scoop Foundation, and New York City Councilmember Dr. Yusef Salaam.

Many people from the music industry and Harlemites who grew up with DJ Scoop came out to the ceremony to remember his impact on the music industry and share kind words about his ties to Harlem’s cultural and community life. Many guest speakers attended the ceremony to show the importance of getting a local Harlemitie honor in a street naming due to his untimely death.

Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III was born in Harlem in 1968 and unfortunately died on August 31st, 2024, at the age of 56, after collapsing and passing out on stage at a concert in Hamden, Connecticut, in Hamden Town Center Park. According to the Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office, the official cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was a graduate of Cardinal Haynes High School and attended the New York Institute of Technology. He left behind two children.

The ceremony opened up with the opening remarks from DJ Knuckles, who introduced all of the guest speakers, who took a moment to share their memories with Fatman Scoop and how he helped them in the music industry.

One of the notable guests was Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (IG@jumaane.william), who came to speak about DJ Scoop and buss a beat to show his love for DJ Scoop’s music and his love for his music growing up. “To be here with the family of Fatman Scoop is an honor. Hip-Hop raised me, and it’s fascinating to see how far Hip-Hop music has come,” said Williams. “ Fatman Scoop had a big part in that and our lives,” he said.

The next speaker was DJ and Producer Deleno “Sean C” Matthews, who grew up across the street from Fatman Scoop in Harlem. “It is a great day in Harlem!” said Sean C. “We used to sit together on this corner, and he was born the way he was, and he was born Fatman Scoop,” he said. “It wasn’t an act because he did it to get famous; that was him from the day I met him in the projects. He came from this community, and we were able to see Doug E Fresh and Teddy Riley, and that made us believe we can do it too, and now that’s what Scoop is now. Now people who come from the same place and say I can be successful like Scoop.”

The next speaker was Grammy-winning artist Trench from the Hip-Hop Group Naughty by Nature. He came to speak at the ceremony about how DJ Scoop helped him break into the music industry back in the early ’90s. “He was going to be a boss,” said Trench.

He reflected on his experience working with him at Tommy Boy Records. “He was training us for the game. Our career was based on hard work and our marketing and promotions. If it wasn’t for Fatman Scoop, we would have flopped, “he said. “He was a star, everything he had he worked hard for, and I wish he had never left us early. He was a superstar!” he said.

The next speaker to come on stage was Actress Dascha Polanco(@sheisdash), who is best known for her roles in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black and the 2021 film “In the Heights”. “He was the first to believe in my music!” said Polanco. She is currently working on expanding her career into music. “He was the first person to record on one of my songs, and that meant everything to me. Scoop believed in my sound before the world even heard it,” she said. “I am grateful to cross paths with such a powerful presence. Scoop didn’t just walk into a room; he lit it up.”

The next speaker was Hot 97’s Funk Master Flex. “He came on stage to share his experience with Scoop. “When I met Scoop, I never met a person who had a work ethic like mine. Scoop came to Hot 97 as an intern. He has his unique slang and style. He would hang out with Ed Lover of The Morning Show on Hot 97 and come in early and cut the commercials for the station,” said Funk Flex. “His work ethic is impeccable. Nothing was handed to him. And we’re going to miss him,” he said. “This is a beautiful thing.”

The ceremony continued with Harlem-born State Senator for the 30th District Cordell Cleare (IG@senatorccleare), who took the stage and said, “I grew up with the music of Fatman Scoop,” said Cleare. “He lit up not just a village, but a community, because we knew he was representing all of us. He touched our hearts, and this is so deserved. He represented more than entertainment; he represented dedication,” she said

Next to take the stage was Hip-Hop legend Kurtis Blow Williams (IG@kurtisblow), who was born and raised in Harlem. “Fatman Scoop was nothing to play with,” said Blow. He took a moment, recognizing his mother, Clara Elizabeth Freeman, thanking her for giving the world Fatman Scoop. “When you went into the club and it was packed and you threw on a Fatman Scoop record, you knew what time to go to work, and it was time to have fun,” he said

The next speaker, Raymond Santana (IG@santanaraymond), one of the exonerated 5 of the “Harlem 5” in 1989, came to speak on Scoop. “He is family,” said Raymond. “When I had the Netflix series, When the See Us,” he would call me, and that meant a lot. He used to talk to me as a big brother. It was like cold water on my face. He used to tell me how important I am to the community and go out there and put the work in,” he said. “He was our brother.”

Fatman Scoop’s younger brother, VP/Co-Head of Urban Music at Arista Records and Music Executive for Saint Ka$h Records, Kendell “Sav” Freeman (IG@savvydavisjr), came to speak about his brother and how he gave him his start in the music industry and helped him through college.

“I came out of college in 2001, and came back to this very apartment and did not know what to do with my life,” said Kendell. “As soon as I got out, I didn’t have to look for a job; he brought me out on the road with him and traveled the world, and I am happy to get the opportunity to name the block after him,” he said

The final speaker to speak was Councilman Dr. Yusef Salaam (IG@dr.yusefsallaam). He was also one of the exonerated 5 and remembers that DJ Scoop came to the inauguration ceremony for Dr. Salaam when he became Councilman in March 2024. He came to the ceremony and read the official Proclamation for the official street signing. He is currently reviewing a resolution to designate August 6th as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day, which is Scoop’s birthday.

The ceremony headed into its final part with Kendell and Councilman Salaam pulling the cover on the street name, officially making the intersection of E. 109th Street and 5th Ave into Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place.

DJ Knuckles blasted DJ Scoop’s classic songs like Faith Evans’ “Be Faithful” Remix, which was his breakout song in 1999, and his hits like Mariah Carey’s “It’s like That” Remix and Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control” Remix featuring R&B singer Ciara, both in 2005. His remix with Missy Elliot won the Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 2006.

The crowd cheered as Councilmember Salaam posted with a life-size version of the street sign with Funk Master Flex and all other guest speakers. One of the guests who spoke after the ceremony was Shelley Wade (IG@theoneandonlyshelleywade), the host of 94.7 FM The Block. Other notable guests who attended were Harlem-based rapper ScarLip and Bronx-based rapper Fat Joe.

On her Instagram, she said, “Fatman Scoop’s family did a wonderful job on today’s ceremony for his street co-naming. I’m happy I was there in person to witness the unveiling of this permanent tribute to his legacy.

As the ceremony wound down, it was remembered as a celebration of legacy, culture, and Harlem pride. Scoop’s brother, Kendell, said, “Scoop has always represented Harlem with pride. This co-naming is a tribute not just to his artistry, but to his ongoing commitment to uplifting the community that raised him.”