: Critics described the track as a "righteous wacky duet" and a loving tribute to Larkin’s unique jazz-scat-rap style. Key Tracks to Listen To
"Scatman & Hatman" is a 2019 collaboration between the late and "Mambo No. 5" star Lou Bega . While Scatman John passed away in 1999, the track was created as a posthumous tribute that mashes up the styles of these two '90s icons. The Core Collaboration Scatman John, Lou Bega Scatman & Hatman
: Lou Bega was inspired to create the track after realizing that Scatman John died in 1999—the same year Bega rose to fame and his own father passed away from a similar brain tumor. : Critics described the track as a "righteous
: It was officially released on June 14, 2019, through Iceberg Records . Meaning & Inspiration While Scatman John passed away in 1999, the
: The song carries forward Scatman John’s original message: overcoming adversity. Larkin, who had a severe stutter, used his music to show that "if the Scatman can do it, so can you".
: The song interpolates Scatman John’s 1994 mega-hit "Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)" and blends it with Lou Bega’s signature mambo and big-band energy.
: Known as "Scatman" (John Larkin) and "Hatman" (Lou Bega), the pairing was inspired by their shared retro style, trademark mustaches, and borsalino hats.