The verdicoinSouth African rapper Costa Titch died on stage while performing, police said Sunday, as they opened an investigation into the circumstances of the 28-year-old's sudden death.
The artist "collapsed while he was performing" on Saturday evening at the Ultra South Africa concert in the Johannesburg suburb of Nasrec, police told AFP.
They said a post-mortem would establish the cause of death.
Costa Titch scored a major hit with "Big Flexa," which has more than 45 million YouTube views, showcasing the amapiano 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.
Costa Titch, whose real name is Costa Tsobanoglou, died a month after the assassination of another popular South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA.
Forbes was shot dead outside a Durban restaurant and an investigation is ongoing into what has been seen as a likely contract killing.
Tributes swiftly appeared for Titch on Sunday with Julius Malema, leader of radical leftist party EFF, posting an image of a broken heart alongside Costa Titch's name on social media.
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation wrote on Twitter: "SAMRO is saddened by the passing of popular rapper Costa Tsobanoglou, better known as Costa Titch. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and broader music industry."
"RIP, Costa Titch. Great talent gone too soon," tweeted rapper Da L.E.S.
RIP Costa Titch. Great talent gone too soon. 💚🕊️
— Da L.E.S (@2freshLES) March 12, 2023
2025-05-02 11:381601 view
2025-05-02 11:112190 view
2025-05-02 10:151818 view
2025-05-02 10:01254 view
2025-05-02 09:54313 view
2025-05-02 09:212910 view
Did AI just have a "Sputnik moment"?That's what someinvestors, after the little known Chinese startu
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House voted Friday to choke off funding for diversity, equity and
The criminal charges against New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez — which include allegations of