South African rapper and songwriter Costa Titch collapsed and died while performing at a music festival in Johannesburg, according to reports.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that he had a history of epilepsy, and the strobing lights on the ultra stage triggered seizure.
He was 27 years old.
Although there has been no official confirmation of his passing, various artists, music networks, and politicians have expressed their condolences.
Costa Titch was performing at the Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg when the incident occurred.
Videos circulating on social media showed the moment when he fell on stage but quickly regained his footing before fainting shortly after.
The cause of his death is currently unknown.
Costa Tsobanoglou, better known as Costa Titch, was a rising artist from Mbombela, near the border with Swatini and Mozambique.
His most successful single, Big Flexa, has received over 45 million views on YouTube, and a remix featuring US artist Akon was recently released.
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Costa Tich’s breakthrough followed the release of his hit song Activate. Though he entered the entertainment scene at a very young age, he began his career as a dancer as he joined the New Age Steez dance crew.
The popular had popular members including Phantom Steeze and Tumi Tladi as members. He later ventured into the rap scene and has had a collaboration with popular rappers in the country including Cassper Nyovesrt.
Costa is among the pioneer of African trap music and also has influenced other artists in the genre.
He performs the traditional trap with high energy drum samples, which are very high. Costa also employs the Isizulu lines in his raps and his raps are often light at heart.
His songs most times are channeled for the dance floor. His hit song ‘Nkalakatha’ has made a name for him in the country’s entertainment scene.
His song ‘Phezulu’ feat. Bioty, a South African rapper, also made a wave in the country.
The passing of Costa Titch comes as music fans are still mourning the loss of fellow rapper AKA, whose real name was Kiernan Forbes.
He was shot outside of a restaurant in Durban by unknown hitmen and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are still investigating the case.
