Costa Titch, a South African rapper whose real name is Costa Tsobanoglou, has reportedly died at the age of 27. The artist collapsed during a music festival in Johannesburg and was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
The incident occurred during his performance at the Ultra Music Festival at the Expo Centre on Saturday evening. Media reports suggest that the rapper fell down on stage but continued to perform after being helped up by his bodyguard. He reportedly fell a second time and had to be carried off stage.
Titch had a history of epilepsy, a condition that causes seizures, leading to speculation that this may have been the cause of his death. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
The performer, who entered the entertainment industry in 2020, enjoyed his most successful single with “Big Flexa,” which became the most-viewed Amapiano video in late 2022 with over 45 million views on YouTube. Costa Titch had also performed with other African stars such as Mbosso, Diamond Platnumz, and Sauti Sol at SolFest, a concert organized by the latter.
In his family’s statement, they thanked “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,” they continued. “The Tsobanoglou family thanks you for the love and support you have given to our son, and may you continue to uplift him even in spirit. Please keep us in your prayers and uplifted in the Lord.”
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Ultra South Africa also shared a statement Sunday. “We are devastated by the sudden (loss) of the beloved South African artist Costa Titch, who tragically passed away this weekend,” the musical festival wrote on Twitter.