South African rapper Costa Titch has died.
He was 28.
Titch, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was appearing Saturday at Ultra Music Festival at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg when he apparently collapsed, Sky News reported.
A video of the musician circulating on social media allegedly shows him falling over before being lifted up by someone. He then gets up for a moment before collapsing, CNN reported. The Washington Post said the videos were not independently verified.
Titch was taken to a hospital, where he later died, according to Sky News.
Family members posted to Instagram confirming the rapper’s death.
“It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time,” they said on his Instagram account. “We are thankful for those emergency responders and all those present in his last hours.”
Ultra South Africa released a statement upon Titch’s death, saying that it was devastated.
“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 read, according to CNN.
— Ultra South Africa (@UltraSA) March 12, 2023
Amapiano is a style of music that has log-drum-driven basslines accompanied by melodies played on piano. Titch combined the South African style and languages with other sub-genres, such as Atlanta-originated trap music, CNN reported.
No cause of death has been released, The Washington Post reported.
Titch’s death is the second to hit the South African rap scene. Kiernan Forbes, who went by the name AKA, died last month after being shot outside of a restaurant in Durban, South Africa, the Post reported. Titch and AKA released an album together in 2021.
©2023 Cox Media Group
