A South African rapper has died after collapsing onstage during a performance at a music festival on March 11.
Constantinos Tsobanoglou, better known by his stage name Costa Titch, was performing at Ultra South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday when he collapsed on stage. Video footage shared to social media appeared to show the 28-year-old rapper falling to the stage at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Center before being lifted up, only to collapse again, Billboard reported. (RELATED: Former NFL Plater Jessie Lemonier Dies Suddenly At Age 25)
South African rapper Costa Titch has died after collapsing at a music festival in Johannesburg. https://t.co/nk9P9DSx6d
— billboard (@billboard) March 12, 2023
“Death has tragically knocked our door,” Tsobanoglou’s family shared on Instagram, confirming the rapper’s passing. “We’re thankful for the emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth. As a family we are faced with a difficult time as we try to make sense of what has befallen us and ask that we be afforded the time and space to gather ourselves,” the statement continued.
Titch, an up-and-coming star in South Africa, recently worked with Sengalese-American musician Akon for a single on the South African’s 2022 album entitled “Big Flexa,” Billboard reported.
“We are devastated by the sudden loss of the beloved South African artist Costa Titch,” Ultra South Africa tweeted in a statement. “Costa was a galvanizing voice amongst South Africa’a amapiano scene – a talented rapper, dancer, songwriter, collaborator and friend to the festival,” the statement continued.
“Our deepest thoughts and most sincere sympathies our with his family, friends and our entire community who are together mourning this heartbreaking loss,” Ultra South Africa added.
No cause of death has been released.