South African rapper Costa Titch has died after collapsing onstage at Ultra Music Festival in Nasrec, Johannesburg.
In a devastating turn of events, South African hip-hop sensation Costa Titch has tragically passed away at the young age of 28. The prodigious wordsmith collapsed onstage at the highly anticipated Ultra Music Festival, held in the bustling Nasrec district of Johannesburg.
Videos have surfaced online of the rapper falling onstage, being helped up and continuing to sing, before collapsing once more. His family confirmed his death a short time later.“It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time.” They wrote in an Instagram post. “Death has tragically knocked at our door robbing us of our beloved son, brother and grandson”.
Born in Nelspruit, South Africa, Costa Titch began his career as a backup dancer before becoming a rapper. He recently partnered with Akon’s record label Knovict Kulture after the success of his 2022 album Mr Big Flexa. “We felt it was time to partner with a global entity so we can continue to push the barriers on an international scale,” he told IOL Entertainment.
Mr Big Flexa‘s title song, which featured Akon, showcases South Africa’s local subgenere ‘amapiano’, a blend of house, jazz and lounge music. The song received significant attention after gaining popularity on TikTok. It currently has over 45 million views on YouTube.
Tributes to the late rapper have poured in on social media. “He was a brilliant superstar and hardworking man with a kind heart, which endeared him to all around him,” wrote Akon. One Twitter user referred to the rapper as “the man who made many of us fall in love with amapiano”.
Costa Titch’s family have thanked first responders for their efforts. They have asked for privacy as they grieve this sudden and tragic loss. “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 outpouring of love and admiration for Costa Titch is a testament to the impact he had on the music world, particularly with his contributions to the beloved amapiano genre. As one Twitter user aptly noted, he was “the man who made many of us fall in love with amapiano”. As the music community mourns the loss of a true talent, we can only hope that Costa Titch’s legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.
No cause of death has been released.
