Fatman Scoop to Be Honored with Street Naming in Harlem

Photo by Irishson22 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY‑SA 3.0)

Harlem is preparing to honor a hometown legend whose voice was as big as his heart.

On August 9, 2025, just weeks before the one-year anniversary of his passing, a corner of 109th Street and 5th Avenue will be officially renamed Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place — a permanent tribute to a man whose sound shaped a generation.

Scoop wasn’t just a voice in the club — he was a cultural amplifier. A Grammy-winning artist, radio personality, and global entertainer, he turned up the volume on joy, energy, and unity. His commanding shout could move crowds, but it was his authenticity that moved people.

When he passed away on August 30, 2024, Harlem didn’t just lose an icon — it lost a son.

“Fatman Scoop wasn’t just from Harlem — he was Harlem. That voice made you feel alive.”— DJ Tranz, friend and collaborator

Now, Harlem is giving that love back.

The upcoming street naming ceremony, hosted by the Forever Fatman Scoop Foundation and Council Member Dr. Yusef Salaam, will be a celebration of legacy, sound, and soul. Family, fans, and fellow artists are expected to gather for the dedication — a reminder that voices like Scoop’s never go silent.

Harlem raised him. The world embraced him. And now, the block will carry his name — forever echoing the energy of a man who turned every mic into a movement.