Fans and fellow artists are still in shock.
They can't believe that rapper Costa Titch has passed away.
Born Constantinos Tsobanoglou, the 28-year-old rapper collapsed during his performance at the Ultra Music Festival in Johannesburg on Saturday, 11 March 2023.
“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 idolize under his stage name “Costa Titch”. It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time,” reads an official statement released on Sunday 12 March 2023 confirming his passing.
Ultra South Africa also put out a statement acknowledging the unexpected passing of the Areyeng hitmaker.
“Costa was a galvanizing voice amongst South Africa’s amapiano scene – a talented rapper, dancer, songwriter, collaborator, and friend to the festival. Our deepest thoughts and most sincere sympathies are with his family, friends, and our entire community who are together mourning this heartbreaking loss,” concludes the statement from the music festival’s organisers.
— Ultra South Africa (@UltraSA) March 12, 2023
Fans and artists throughout the entertainment industry expressed their shock and condolences at the rapper’s untimely passing, including fellow musician Nadia Nakai, who lost her partner and rapper AKA last month to a shooting.
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Musicians and public figures around the continent shared their tributes, including Tanzanian music duo Navy Kenzo, Cassper Nyovest, Julius Malema and Da L.E.S.
Here are some of the tributes from fans and peers who have been reeling in since the news came out:
Costa… from Freeze Frame days to Big Flexa I’m just speechless. I don’t know what’s happening to our industry but it’s dying. Our heart are breaking. How many more RIPs???? Hip hop what’s happening!? Save US from our pain??#RIPCostaTitch
— Lalla Hirayama (@Lalla_Hirayama) March 12, 2023
Costa Titch?? from Game, Kamatia, Feel good, U still kept the same energy for 7 years with Mob.
— Navy Kenzo (@NavyKenzo) March 12, 2023
Mob will always celebrate you ????R.I.P pic.twitter.com/P3bOinygp7
God! So you just going to take them one by one! What is the plan here!! I’m so freaked out, what is going on here?! Someone please explain. ??
— BRAGGA (@Nadia_nakai) March 12, 2023
RIP Costa Titch. Condolences to his family and fans.
— Don Billiato (@casspernyovest) March 13, 2023
Costa Titch??
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) March 11, 2023
RIP Costa Titch. Great talent gone too soon. ?????
— Da L.E.S (@2freshLES) March 12, 2023
Saddest news for eastafrican Amapanio and Southafrican lovers!! Costa titch was the biggest Southafrican artist/ act from southafrica in east Africa!! He was loved and had performed in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan! He wasn’t only an artist out performer!! pic.twitter.com/488tSxSSa4
— Sheilah C Gashumba (@SheilahGashumba) March 12, 2023
This is sad!????
— MATATA MATATA (@Matataofficial1) March 12, 2023
We just reconnected recently with Costa Titch We knew each other from our dancing days at HHI in Las Vegas. We were super proud of each other & discussed how dancers are taking over the music industry. Praying for his family ?????? RIP costa SA ???? has lost an icon pic.twitter.com/apftrH8xmi
I am saddened to hear of the sudden passing of well-known SA artist, Costa Tsabanoglu, affectionately known as ‘Costa Titch’.
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 12, 2023
Costa inspired many young South Africans - especially in the Western Cape. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and fans. ?????? pic.twitter.com/E4AwtIG3GC
Rest in peace Costa Titch ??? ???
— LADIPOE (@LadiPoe) March 12, 2023
