South African Rapper Dies at 28 – Billboard
South African rapper Costa Titch passed away after collapsing on stage at the Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg on Saturday (March 11). He was 28.
The family of the rapper, whose real name is Konstantinos Tsobanoglu, confirmed the tragic news in a statement posted Sunday (March 12) on the artist’s Instagram account.
“Death has knocked tragically on our door. Deprive us of our beloved son, brother and grandson,” the statement said. “Konstantinos Tsobanoglu (28) loved and idolized by South Africa under his stage name Costa Titch. It is with deep pain that we are forced to acknowledge his passing at this time.”
His loved ones continued: “As a family, we are facing a difficult time as we try to understand what has happened to us and ask that we be given the time and space to come together. The Tsobanoglu family thanks you for the love and support you have shown our son, and may you continue to support him even spiritually. Please support us in your prayers and lift us up in the Lord.”
The official cause of death was not given at the time of publication.
Videos circulating on social media show Titch briefly fainting during his Ultra South Africa set at the Nasrec Expo Center in Johannesburg on Saturday and then getting up to continue his performance before passing out again and being thrown aside. .
Organizers Ultra South Africa tweeted statement on the Sunday after Titch’s death.
“Costa was the inspirational voice of the South African amapiano scene – a talented rapper, dancer, singer, songwriter, co-writer and friend of the festival,” Ultra South Africa said in a statement.
Titch, a rising star in the South African Amapiano style of music, has signed with Akon’s Konvict Kulture label. The rapper recently collaborated with Akon on the single “Big Flexa” from Titch’s 2022 album. Mr Big Flex.
Titch received the 2020 South African Hip Hop Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Remix for his song “Nkalakatha” featuring Ricky Rick and Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. In early February, AKA was gunned down outside a restaurant in South Africa.
See Titch’s family’s statement on his death below.
