The South African musician Costa Titch has passed away while performing on stage over the weekend.
Titch, whose name is Costa Tsobanoglou, reportedly collapsed Saturday evening while performing at the Ultra music festival in the Johannesburg suburb of Nasrec.
The family of the rapper, confirmed the tragic news in a statement posted Sunday (March 12) on the artist’s Instagram account.
“Death has tragically knocked at our door. Robbing us of our beloved son, brother, and grandson,” the statement reads. “Constantinos Tsobanoglou (28), whom South Africa had come to love and idolize under his stage name ‘Costa Titch.’ It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time.”
An official cause of death was not given at press time.
Costa Titch, 28-years, was signed to Akon‘s Konvict Kulture label and scored a major hit with “Big Flexa,” which has more than 45 million YouTube views, showcasing the Amapiano or ‘the pianos’ local subgenre of house music blending house, jazz and lounge music.
Videos on social media of his concert Saturday show him performing with his microphone in hand when he appears to fall. He continues singing but collapses again, prompting other artists to come to his aid.
Tributes swiftly appeared Sunday for Titch from industry colleagues and fans.
