South African rapper and dancer Costa Titch, whose real name is Costa Tsobanoglou, has died at the age of 27.
He collapsed during a performance at the Ultra music festival on Saturday, March 12, 2023.
News of his death shocked the South African music industry, with fans and colleagues heartbroken over the loss of the rising star.
Costa Titch was born in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga in 1995 and was known for his hits Nkalakatha and Activate.
He was a popular figure on the South African music scene, with his unique mix of hip-hop, amapiano and kwaito music resonating with fans across the country.
His amapiano single Big Flexa was released in December 2021 and became Amapiano’s most viewed video as of the end of 2022, with over 30 million views on YouTube.
The song features Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida, Man T, and C’buda M. In the song’s music video, the rapper shows off his impeccable dance skills with Soweto’s Finest, a local dance troupe.
The video delighted fans on other platforms as well. On Spotify, the song has amassed more than six million listens, while on TikTok, the sound has been used more than 105,000 times.
Costa Titch’s rise to fame was meteoric and many believed he was on his way to becoming one of South Africa’s biggest musical stars.
Tributes have poured in from across the South African music industry following his death, with fans and colleagues expressing their condolences on social media.
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela confirmed the news of Costa Titch’s death on Twitter shortly before midnight and his tweet was followed by a series of somber reactions from industry colleagues.
Fellow musician Junior Da Rock and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema are among those who have apparently brought up the rapper’s death.
The cause of his death remains unclear and authorities have not released any additional information at this time.
Costa Titch died just weeks after the death of fellow rapper AKA, who was shot outside a restaurant in Durban.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is still investigating AKA’s death. Many in the industry mourn the loss of two talented young rappers in such a short time and call for more protection for musicians in South Africa.
The South African music industry has been hit hard by tragedies in recent years. In 2018, hip-hop artist HHP committed suicide, and in 2020, kwaito star Mshoza passed away from diabetes-related complications.
These losses have sparked a debate about mental health and well-being in the music industry, with many calling for more support for artists.
The deaths of Costa Titch and AKA reignited these discussions, with many industry professionals speaking out about the pressures musicians face in South Africa.
The industry has long been plagued with issues like piracy, low pay, and lack of access to resources, and many believe these issues contribute to the mental health challenges musicians face.
The death of these two young rappers also highlighted the need for greater security measures at music events.
The Ultra music festival, where Costa Titch collapsed, has faced criticism for its safety in the past, with many calling for a review of safety protocols at music festivals across the country.
Despite the challenges facing the industry, many are optimistic about the future of South African music. The country has a rich and diverse musical heritage, with genres such as kwaito, amapiano.
Costa Titch’s rise in the music industry has been meteoric.
He’s only been involved in music for a few years, but has already achieved incredible success, collaborating with some of the biggest names in South African hip hop and Amapiano music.
In addition to his music career, Costa was also known for his dancing skills, often incorporating his moves into his music videos and live performances.
He was a popular figure in the entertainment industry and had a large and loyal fan base.
May he rest in peace.
Categories: Biography
Source: newstars.edu.vn