The sudden death of famous South African rapper Costa Titch continues to disconcert netizens as details of his passing unravel.
The Amapiano hitmaker, real name Constantinos Tsobanoglou, died Saturday (March 11) after appearing to collapse twice onstage, in quick succession, during a performance at the Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg. He was 28.
In a viral video, Costa is seen in a white shirt, running on the stage with a mic. He goes right into performing one of his hit songs and seems totally fine.
Then the video cuts to the rapper belting out another tune – he appears to fall over on the stage before being helped by one of his backup singers. Costa regains his footing briefly, only to tumble again and collapse off the stage.
His team and emergency responders attempted to resuscitate him but could not save him.
🇿🇦 Rapper Costa Titch dies suddenly performing on a scene. He was 27. pic.twitter.com/12IkBH28zJ
— Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) March 12, 2023
According to South African publications, Costa Titch’s sudden death resulted from a seizure triggered by flashing lights on stage. He supposedly had a history of epilepsy.
But now, per reports by the Lowvelder, the family of the “Big Flexa” hitmaker is disputing these claims. The Tsobanoglou family released a statement acknowledging Costa Titch’s passing, but they refuted any claims of the Amapiano legend having a history of epilepsy.
In the statement, the family expressed gratitude to the emergency responders for trying to save his life and to those who remained beside him before he died. They, however, did not disclose the exact cause of Costa’s death.
“We’re thankful for the emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth,” the statement continued. “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.”
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With this information and as fans await the official autopsy results, internet sleuths have been sharing their theories (fueling conspiracies) on the rapper’s cause of death.
Was it really photosensitive epilepsy, or could it be due to a heart attack? Others even claimed it was the adverse side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine. Check them out:
A lot of ppl speculating around the passing of Costa Titch…
– Exhaustion?
– Drugs?
– Covid Vaccine?
– Underlying Illness?
– Heart Attack?
– Supernatural?Whatever it is… the kid was fucking talented & deserved to be a superstar! 🔥
Rest easy, ntwana yaseMbombela 🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/bLkaGrL5pz
— Penuel The Black Pen (@GodPenuel) March 12, 2023
and
Overworking ur body, energy booster, less sleep , no water intake and always on fast food.
— Patra (@MASHIBE13) March 12, 2023
and
First question I asked myself he vaccinated ?
— General (@Alpha_Sthe) March 12, 2023
and
People who took the vaccine will never say it’s the vaccine even when they see young people suddenly dying everywhere after taking that poison
— Wesley Nku (@WesleyNku) March 13, 2023
and
I’d assume drugs, these guys are working hard and they dont have enough time for resting hence they end up doing drugs to be active
— LoPan (@Lopanlp) March 12, 2023
and
Could be a heart attack those are silent killers .
— Mutumba Simataa (@MICHMITCHELL3) March 12, 2023
and
He overdosed, on Pfizer.
— Glen Gunderson (@GlenGunderson70) March 12, 2023
An Ultra South Africa venue rep released a statement saying they’re “devastated by Costa’s death and will remember him as a “galvanizing voice among South Africa’s Amapiano scene – a talented rapper, dancer, singer, songwriter, collaborator, and friend to the festival.”
Akon, who signed Costa to his Konvict Muzik label, paid an emotional tribute to the rapper on his IG, praising him for being “hardworking” and noting he died doing what he loved most.
“Costa Titch had a vision that I knew for sure would take over the music industry globally and was on his way to doing just that when god’s plan intervened,” Akon wrote. “It’s been a sad day, but what makes me feel better is that I know he died doing what he loved doing the most in this world. God bless you, COSTA!!!!!”
Costa Titch’s death comes a month after the passing of his fellow (and close friend) South African rapper AKA, who police say was assassinated.
“It’s so sad that South Africa and people all around the world who loved both of these individuals’ music have lost them,” BBC 1Xtra presenter Jeremiah Asiamah, who interviewed Costa Titch just weeks ago, said.
“But – I know it’s a cliché – their music will live on. Their songs are now going to hit even harder in the clubs – people are going to celebrate their lives because I know that’s what they’d want from us.”
Is Costa Titch dead, now joins AKA 😭 💔 RIP pic.twitter.com/FKK0VepSiT
— Sabula Ug (@sabula_ug) March 11, 2023
Rest in peace South African music sensation Costa Titch who collapsed on stage today and drop dead, its really a hard time for South Africans at this point, it was AKA now Costa
Man is just 27
It’s sad
RIP legend 🙏pic.twitter.com/XTnFRVv26E— Pamilerin Adegoke (@UnclePamilerin) March 11, 2023
Remember when Costa Titch and AKA on the Yard Cotton Fest channel for Riky Rick performing they really had a chemistry these guys.
May they meet up there 😇 #RIPAKA #RIPCostaTitch pic.twitter.com/x1r3IFqaXk— THESAGACONTINUED🍥🇿🇼 (@Thesvga) March 12, 2023
RIP, Costa Titch! 🕊️
