(CMR) South African rapper Costa Titch (28) died suddenly this weekend after collapsing on stage while performing at a music festival.
The musician, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, reportedly fell over on stage before being lifted up by someone beside him. He then gets up for several seconds before apparently collapsing.
“It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time. We are thankful for those emergency responders and all those present in his last hours,” Tsobanoglou’s family said in a post on his Instagram.
“We are devastated by the sudden loss of the beloved South African artist Costa Titch, who tragically passed away this weekend,” Ultra South Africa said in a statement Sunday.
“Costa was a galvanizing voice amongst South Africa’s amapiano scene – a talented rapper, dancer, singer, songwriter, collaborator and friend to the festival,” the statement continued.
According to CNN, Tsobanoglou was a growing sensation in South Africa and one of the biggest stars of amapiano, a style of music characterized by deep house, log-drum-driven basslines and soulful piano melodies. His rap style combines South Africa’s culture, style and indigenous languages with international rap sub-genres like trap music, which originated in Atlanta’s thriving hip-hop scene.
Tsobanoglou was born in Nelspruit in northeastern South Africa and had already had a successful career in dance before becoming a rapper. His song “Big Flexa” made him a star across Africa after it became successful on TikTok.
Tsobanoglou’s death comes a month after his friend and collaborator, fellow rapper AKA, was killed in a shooting.
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