Salaam honors Fat Man Scoop, introduces Resolution 371
Council Member Yusef Salaam speaks in support of Resolution 371, declaring August 6 as Fat Man Scoop Recognition Day. He describes Fat Man Scoop (Isaac Freeman III) as a Harlem-raised artist, Grammy winner, and his personal friend who showed up at his inauguration. Salaam notes Scoop died on stage at 56 on August 30, 2024, and asks colleagues to vote yes.
Thank you, Majority Leader Abreu.
Colleagues, I want to take a moment before we vote on Resolution 371, because this one deserves more than just a procedural eye.
First, I want to thank Council Members Farias, Lewis, Farias,
I'm mixing it up.
Farias, Lewis, Narcisse, and Wilson for supporting this resolution.
And thank you to Deputy Speaker Williams for holding the vote in the committee.
Fat Man's school, known as Isaac Freeman III, was born right here in Manhattan on August 6, 1968.
Harlem raised him, Cardinal Hayes shaped him.
And then he went out and gave this city and this world something they will never forget.
That voice, that energy, that call and response that turned every room he walked into into a celebration.
For a decade, he held down midnight to 5 a.m.
Slots on Hot 97.
He collaborated with some of the greatest artists of a generation.
He won a Grammy, crossed genres, crossed continents, and everywhere he went, people felt it.
But I want my colleagues to know something beyond the accolades.
He was my friend.
Oh, that was quick.
I'll give you an extra 15 seconds, Councilman.
Oh, thank you.
And I'm going to be consistent with everybody else today.
As you notice, I'm giving everybody an extra 10 seconds.
When I was inaugurated, he came and pulled up.
He didn't have to do that.
Nobody asked him to do it.
But that was Isaac.
He showed up for the people he loved the same way that he showed up for every audience with everything he had.
Every single time.
We lost him on August 30th of 2024 at 56 years of age on stage doing exactly what he was born to do.
This resolution asks that every August 6th, the city- Council member, you have to wrap up.
Yes, sir.
The city of New York pause and remember him, not just as an artist, a son of Harlem, as someone who made this city.
Felt like home for everyone who heard his voice.
Thank you.
And I ask my colleagues to vote yes on Resolution 371.
Thank you.
Councilmember Lewis.