Costa Titch, a South African rapper, died unexpectedly this weekend, his family announced on Instagram, just hours after performing at a music festival.
The musician, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was 28 years old.
Video circulating on social media seems to show Tsobanoglou collapse on stage before being lifted up by someone beside him.
Tsobanoglou then stands up for a few seconds before collapsing.
The South African star kept performing and finished his song a few seconds later before collapsing for the second time.
The event allegedly occurred in front of fans at the Ultra Music Festival at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday.
He passed away later in the hospital.
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His family revealed his passing in an Instagram post and thanked fans for their support.
The statement read “Death has tragically knocked at our door.
Robbing us of our beloved son, brother and grandson, Constantinos Tsobanoglou (28), who South Africa had come to love and idolise under his stage name “Costa Titch”.
“It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time.”
The family continued: “We are 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 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.”
Ultra South Africa, the festival where he was performing, said it was “devastated” by the young rapper’s death.
The statement read ,“Costa was a galvanizing voice amongst South Africa’s amapiano scene, a talented rapper, dancer, singer, songwriter, collaborator and friend to the festival”
Tsobanoglou, who was born in Nelspruit, began his career as a backing dancer before switching to rap.
He was known for fusing traditional South African culture with trap beats while performing in the popular amapiano style.
His most popular song was “Big Flexa,” which went viral on TikTok in 2021.
Later, a remix of the song starring musician Akon was released.
Sources: CNN, Skynews, Independent
