
Audio By Carbonatix
Costa Titch had big plans and big dreams.
But, on Saturday, fans of the South African rapper feared the worst when he collapsed on stage.
Later, his family confirmed: "Death has tragically knocked at our door," in a statement on Instagram.
Tributes have been paid to the 28-year-old as police investigate what happened.
BBC 1Xtra presenter Jeremiah Asiamah, who interviewed Costa Titch just weeks ago, says it's a "very sad loss".
"Not just for the amapiano sound, but for all those who enjoy great music," he tells BBC Newsbeat. "When he walks into that room, his energy is infectious - just like his music."
Who was Costa Titch?
Born Constantinos Tsobanoglou, Costa Titch began his career as a dancer, before a big international breakthrough in 2022 with his song Big Flexa.
Last month, he announced a partnership with Akon's record label Konvict Kulture.
The rappers collaborated on a remix of the track - named a 'Rising Record' on 1Xtra's Rave Show.
"As much as the original's done well, there's still a lot of places across the globe that haven't heard about the record yet," Costa told the show.

But according to Jeremiah, Costa's ambitions went well beyond one tune.
"When we were speaking, he said to me, 'Big Flexa has done its thing, but I want to take it to a whole new level - I want to show people I'm more than just a rapper, I'm more than just a dancer, I am a musician'."
What is amapiano?
Jeremiah explains that amapiano is a subgenre of house music that's emerged out of South Africa.
He says it's "infused by house, jazz, lounge music, bringing all those sounds together with really joyful and unique dances."
"If you had a chance to see Costa Titch live, everybody was doing his dances." And coming from a dancing background, "you can only imagine the impact he had in amapiano," Jeremiah adds.
How did he die?
Videos on social media show Costa collapsing twice before falling off the stage while performing at the Ultra South Africa festival in Johannesburg.
Organisers described him as a "beloved" artist and "a galvanising voice amongst South Africa's amapiano scene".
They said they were "devastated by the sudden loss".
Despite online speculation, no cause of death has been given.
Local police say this will be established by a post-mortem examination, and Costa's family have asked for "time and space" while they "try to make sense of what has befallen us".
'Their music will live on'
Costa died just a month after fellow South African rapper AKA, who police say was assassinated.
"AKA and Costa Titch were really close friends," says Jeremiah.

"It's so sad that South Africa and people all around the world who loved both of these individuals' music have lost them.
"But - I know it's a cliché - their music will live on," Jeremiah says.
"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."
Latest Stories
-
THE LAW 101: Larry’s contempt judgment
5 minutes -
Two killed, four injured in head-on collision at Abease on Takoradi highway
47 minutes -
AMA deploys truck to clear refuse at Kaneshie Market entrance
53 minutes -
Antoine Semenyo hails Luka Modrić as “one of the best midfielders of the current era”
58 minutes -
Sedina Tamakloe in Nsawam Prison after medical care at Police Hospital – Manasseh Azure claims
1 hour -
Businesses urged to leverage international markets as Ghana, Turkey strengthen investment ties
1 hour -
Ing. Samuel Antwi eyes NPP Manhyia South chairmanship, pledges unity
2 hours -
GEPA opens Ghana Trade House in Philadelphia, deepening commercial footprint in U.S
2 hours -
Ghana joins Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets to strengthen climate action
2 hours -
Why fuel prices haven’t fallen yet despite falling global oil prices
2 hours -
FSD Africa, British High Commission, GIIF launch Green PPF
2 hours -
When diversity wins: The Paradox of racism in modern football
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Friday, June 26, 2026
2 hours -
Ecobank Ghana plants 2,000 trees at Chipa Forest to support national reforestation drive
2 hours -
Bole-Bamboi MP to commission renovated classroom blocks to improve learning environment
3 hours