South African Rapper Costa Titch Deceased After Collapsing On Music Festival Stage

BYGabriel Bras Nevares2.9K Views
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South Africa and the rap world at large mourns the loss of Costa, who passed away after performing at the Ulta music festival in Johannesburg.

The rap world mourns the loss of South African rapper Costa Titch, who tragically passed away after collapsing on stage at the Ulta music festival in Johannesburg on Saturday (March 11). Titch, real name Constantinos Tsobanoglou, passed at the age of 28. Moreover, his record label, friends, and family issued a statement regarding his loss. Even with all the hype around music festivals, especially after COVID, audiences must know that safety is still the top priority. Considering the tragedies that have occurred at live settings, this news is heartbreaking for fans and loved ones.

"Death has tragically knocked at our door," the statement read. "Robbing us of our beloved son, brother and grandson, Constantinos Tsobanoglou (28), who 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. 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.

Costa Titch Dead After Collapsing On Stage During Music Festival

"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," the statement continued. "Please keep us in your prayers and uplifted in the Lord." On social media, many lamented that Western media only covers international artists when they pass, not for their present work. Tragically, however, this is yet another instance of a sudden death in the South African music community.

Rapper AKA was fatally shot outside of a restaurant, just weeks before he was set to drop a new album. Moreover, said incident occurred in February and shook not only his fans and family but the larger musical scene there. As rap fans, the community hopes that the South African rap world heals and strides in a more positive and uplifting direction after such loss. If you listened to Constantinos Tsobanoglou, also known as Costa Titch, let us know your favorite song, album, or moment from him in the comments down below.
Rest In Peace Costa Titch.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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