H-Metro
POPULAR South African artist, Costa Tsobanoglou, professionally known as Costa Titch, has died.
The ‘‘Big Flexa’’ rapper died while thrilling fans at the Ultra Music Festival held in Johannesburg on Saturday.
In videos making rounds on the internet, the singer fell down during the performance, but continued singing after he was picked up by his bodyguard.
He, however, slumped a second time and had to be carried off stage.
South African media personality, Phil Mphela, confirmed the news via Twitter late night on Saturday.
Mphela wrote in his tweet, “RIP: Costa Titch. Nelspruit-born artist and dancer, real name Costa Tsobanoglou, has passed away. He was 28.”
A statement from the family 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.”
Titch was popular for his contribution to the Amapiano genre with hits such as ‘‘Big Flexa’’, ‘‘Nkalakatha’’ and ‘‘Activate’’.
The rising star most recently signed a deal with Akon’s record label, Konvict Kulture.
Costa’s death is another huge loss for the South African music industry after his colleague, Kiernan Forbes alias AKA, was shot dead in February. — Punch.
