NYC Immortalizes DJ Mister Cee, Fatman Scoop With Street Co-Namings

Street signs honoring the late Fatman Scoop in East Harlem and the late DJ Mister Cee in Brooklyn were unveiled over the weekend, cementing the hip-hop legends’ place in New York City history.

New York City immortalized two of its most celebrated voices with street co-namings over the weekend — forever linking DJ Mister Cee and Fatman Scoop to the boroughs where they made history.

On Saturday afternoon, the corner of 109th Street and 5th Avenue in East Harlem became Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place. The crowd heard from Kurtis Blow, who painted a vivid picture of Scoop’s influence:

“When you went into a club and the club was packed and they threw on a Fatman Scoop record, you knew you were at the place to be. Just hearing his voice, you knew it was time to do your best dance moves.”

🎤 “Fatman Scoop ain’t nothing to play with!” — Hip-hop legend @KurtisBlow1 sharing his remarks at the Harlem street co-naming of Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place at E 109th St & 5th Ave. 🗽✨ pic.twitter.com/2y2rZ2R0it

— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) August 9, 2025

Scoop — whose unmistakable hype voice turned countless tracks into anthems — died on August 30, 2024, at the age of 56 after collapsing onstage in Hamden, Connecticut. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ruling his death from natural causes.

 

On Sunday afternoon, Brooklyn’s Classon and Lafayette Avenues were officially co-named DJ Mister Cee Way in honor of the DJ, producer, and tastemaker who championed Big Daddy Kane, The Notorious B.I.G., and countless others. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams attended, while Mayor Eric Adams called him a “true hip-hop legend taken too soon” in a social post.

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DJ Mister Cee’s son, DJ Magic, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram:

“Today was a major day for Pops aka DJ Mister Cee… Classon & Lafayette co-naming unveiling. We will never forget you, Pop. I love you and miss you.”

DJ Mister Cee was a true hip-hop legend taken too soon.

Thank you for all you gave to the culture and to Brooklyn. This street co-naming will honor your lasting legacy. pic.twitter.com/NYXeSAYFDz

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 10, 2025

Mister Cee — born Calvin LeBrun — passed away April 10, 2024, at age 57. The New York City Medical Examiner listed his cause of death as diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease.

Atlanta Rapper T-Hood Killed in Georgia Shooting at 33

Rapper T-Hood  was killed in Snellville, Georgia, after a domestic dispute outside his home.

Southern hip-hop is in mourning. Tevin Hood — better known as T-Hood — was shot and killed Friday at a residence in Snellville, Georgia, according to Gwinnett County police. He was 33.

Officers were dispatched around 7 p.m. to the 3900 block of Lee Road following reports of a dispute at the home. First responders found Hood with gunshot wounds, rendered aid, and transported him to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. One individual was detained at the scene and is currently being interviewed; the shooting is being investigated as a homicide. Authorities emphasized there is no active threat to the public.

RIP T HOOD 💔 one of the first people to hop on me and @Deedotwill vivid trap beats.

he was literally the only person to hop on this melody i did from scratch. I ain’t fuckin with this at all i’m ngl. pouring up for my all my niggas tonight pic.twitter.com/uVJAPPVuhJ

— glick attachment (@cashgangrott) August 9, 2025

Hood’s mother, Yulanda, confirmed his identity to local media and rejected claims of a party taking place at the time of the shooting. Family members spoke with Channel 2 Action News, validating the tragic news.

Known for his work in Southern rap, T-Hood released tracks including “Ready 2 Go,” “Perculator,” “Girls in the Party” and “Big Booty” with B.o.B. He was also named Trendsetter of the Year at the 2025 Black Only Awards.

i been all over the place trying to find a way to process the passing of my dawg. i knew t hood a while and he used to always go crazy at every stage he was on.

he really went crazy with his talent and im fortunate to have got some work in with him. one of the few artists who… pic.twitter.com/YQqzJ2Vh9X

— DJ Blak Boy (@DJBlakBoy) August 10, 2025

Just weeks prior, Hood shared an eerie Instagram video promoting his song “Grave Diggerz.” Wearing a ghost costume in a cemetery, he joked, “Come down to the cemetery. I have a spot for you… Just die today.” Fans have since called the clip chillingly prophetic amid the tragedy.

Producer Deddotwill, a frequent collaborator, expressed his grief online: “We was just on the phone all day. I can’t believe you are gone. REST IN PEACE T-HOOD, I LOVE YOU BROTHER.”

DJ Blak Boy added his personal tribute: “I knew T-Hood a while… he was a light of energy… always supported everybody… a friend I’ll miss.”

Former Assistant Sues Busta Rhymes, Alleges Repeated Abuse

Busta Rhymes kneels beside his newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in July 2025. A former assistant has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the rapper of physical assault and creating a toxic work environment.

Busta Rhymes is facing a federal lawsuit from a former assistant who claims the hip-hop legend physically assaulted him, subjected him to a hostile work environment, and then derailed his career after a violent incident earlier this year.

Dashiel Gables filed the 13-page complaint in the Eastern District of New York on Monday. The suit outlines a range of allegations, including assault, battery, wage and hour violations, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

According to the complaint, Gables was hired by Rhymes — born Trevor Smith Jr. — in 2024 at a rate of $200 per day. Over time, Gables claims he was forced to work excessively long hours, including 18-hour days without overtime, while enduring verbal abuse, unreasonable demands, and escalating threats.

The breaking point came in January 2025, when Gables says Rhymes punched him twice in the face after yelling at him for texting his daughter during a break. Gables sought medical treatment and filed a police report. Rhymes turned himself in and was charged with assault, but the criminal case remains pending.

In a statement released to the press, Rhymes denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false." He claimed the employment arrangement with Gables was short-lived and did not work out. "Apparently, Dashiel has decided to respond to being let go by manufacturing claims against me in an attempt to attack and damage my reputation," he said. Rhymes also announced plans to countersue, alleging an attempted "shake-down."

The lawsuit paints a different picture. Gables alleges a toxic pattern of behavior that included screaming, spitting, name-calling, and public humiliation. He says he remained in the job because he needed the work but ultimately could not tolerate the physical abuse.

"I worked my heart out for Busta," Gables said in a statement. "Long hours, day and night, weekends, you name it. He bullied me from day one. He regularly insulted me, called me names and slurs, screamed at me in front of other people ... But I stuck around, because I needed the work and I thought things would get better. But instead, he punched me twice in the face."

Gables also claims the incident and the resulting criminal charges caused him to be "frozen out" of the music industry, leaving him with "substantial future lost wage damages."

This is not the first time Busta Rhymes has faced legal issues involving assault. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a former driver and a fan. In 2015, he was arrested for throwing a protein drink at a gym employee during an altercation.

Rhymes, 53, was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and made a cameo in the reboot of "The Naked Gun." His hits include "Gimme Some More," "Break Ya Neck," and "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check."