Costantinos Tsobanoglou (10 September 1995 – 11 March 2023), better known by his stage name Costa Titch, was a South African Amapiano rapper and dancer.[1][2]

Costa Titch
Background information
Birth nameCostantinos Tsobanoglou
Born(1995-09-10)10 September 1995
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Died11 March 2023(2023-03-11) (aged 27)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • dancer
  • record producer
Years active2016–2023
LabelsTitch Gang Records, Konvict Muzik

Biography edit

Costa Titch's father is Greek while his mother is South African. He was born in South Africa.[3] Early on, Costa Titch had a passion for entertainment and became a dancer. In 2014, he relocated to Johannesburg, where he continued his career as a rapper.[4]

In 2020, Costa Titch released his debut album titled Made In Africa, which features collaborations with various South African artists such as AKA, Riky Rick, and Boity. The album received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, cementing Costa Titch's position as one of the rising stars in South African music.[5][6] He went on to earn 3 nominations to South African Hip Hop Awards 2020 and won the best collaboration for "Nkalakatha Remix" featuring AKA and Riky Rick for the remake of Nkalakatha originally by Mandoza.

His track "Ayeye" was particularly well received, due to its uplifting message about staying positive despite life's difficulties.[7] Another one of his tracks, "Big Flexa", broke the record for the most viewed Amapiano music video on YouTube in December 2022.[8][9] In the same year, he earned joint most nominations 7 to the All Africa Music Awards 2022.[10][11]

Costa Titch also collaborated with Senegalese-American singer Akon for a remix of the song "Big Flexa", featuring contributions from fellow Amapiano musician Alfa Kat and producer Ma Gang.[12][13][14][15]

In 2022, Titch collaborated with Nigerian, afrobeats singer O.L.A. for their amapiano-single, "Data".[16] .

Costa Titch and Champuru Makhenzo released their joint project EP 'Trapiano Vol.1'.[17]

Death edit

On 11 March 2023, Costa Titch collapsed while performing at the Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg.[18][19] He quickly regained his footing and continued performing, but collapsed again and died at age 27. The cause of his death is not yet known.[20][21][22][23]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

Collaborative albums edit

  • You're Welcome (2021) feat. AKA

Extended plays edit

  • For Real Trappers Only (2018)
  • Wonderland (2018)
  • Trapiano Vol. 1 (2022)
  • OMWTFYB
  • Gqom Land
  • Fallen Kings

Awards and nominations edit

Soundcity MVP Awards Festival edit

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Big Flexa" (featuring C'Buda M, Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida & Man T) Viewers' Choice Won [24][25]
Video of the Year Nominated

All Africa Music Awards edit

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Big Flexa" (featuring C'Buda M, Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida & Man T) Best African Collaboration Nominated [26][27]
Best Artiste/Duo/Group in African Dance/Choreography Nominated
Best Artiste/Duo/Group in African Electro Nominated
Best African Video Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
"Ma Gang" (featuring Phantom Steeze, ManT, Sdida, C'Buda M & Champuru Makhenzo) Breakout Artist of the Year Nominated
"Moyo" Mbosso (featuring Costa Titch & Phantom Steeze) Best African Collaboration Nominated

South African Hip Hop Awards edit

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 "Nkalakatha Remix" (featuring AKA & Riky Rick) Song of the Year Nominated [28]
Best Collaboration Won
Best Remix Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ "Costa Titch's Debut Album 'Made in Africa' is a Delightful Collection of Catchy Club Bangers". Okayafrica. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  2. ^ "'Death robbed us of our son', Costa Titch's family cries out". Vanguard. 12 March 2023. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Who Is South African Rapper Costa Titch?". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  4. ^ halexaxination (12 March 2023). "Costa Titch Biography: Age, Profile, Net Worth 2023, Education & Background". AFROHITS. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo (13 October 2020). "Costa Titch's Debut Album 'Made in Africa' is a Delightful Collection of Catchy Club Bangers". Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. ^ Israel A, John (11 October 2022). ""Made In Africa", Costa Titch's Debut Album, Turns 2". Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Costa Titch Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. ^ DeWee, Nalendi (10 December 2022). "Breaking records: Costa Titch's amapiano hit surpasses 30m views". Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  9. ^ Jabulani, John (21 January 2023). "Costa Titch Has The Piano Video With The Most Views". Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  10. ^ Kateyi, Oluthando (27 September 2022). "Costa Titch dominates the AFRIMA 2022 nominations list".
  11. ^ Ruby, Josh (2 December 2022). "Ruger, Costa Titch returning to Uganda for New Year's Eve concert". MBU. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  12. ^ Banda, Clive (6 March 2023). "Costa Titch 'Big Flexa Remix' Ft Akon Hits Paramount YouTube Landmark". SA Hip Hop Mag. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  13. ^ Agyare, Peace (10 February 2023). "Costa Titch & Akon – Big Flexa (Remix) ft. Ma Gang Official, Alfa Kat". Ghafla Music. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  14. ^ Shingai, Darangwa (8 February 2023). "Costa Titch signs to Akon's label and announces 'Big Flexa' remix". Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  15. ^ ADJEI OSEI – MENSAH, JEPHTHAH NANA (3 March 2023). "Akon's Konvict Music Partners With Titch Gang Records". Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  16. ^ Ngwangwu, Adaora (9 December 2022). "O.L.A . links South African rapper Costa Titch for new single 'Data'". Culture Custodian. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  17. ^ Darangwa, Shinghai (5 July 2023). "Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo works out and dances to Costa Titch's single 'Ma Gang'". IOL. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  18. ^ Kreps, Daniel (12 March 2023). "South Africa Rapper Costa Titch Dies After Collapsing Onstage at Music Festival". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  19. ^ "South African rapper Costa Titch dies after collapsing during music festival performance". NBC News. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  20. ^ "South African rapper Costa Titch dies after performing at music festival". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  21. ^ Mpini, Siyabonga (11 March 2023). "BREAKING: South African Rapper Costa Titch Dies". iHarare News. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Costa Titch dead: South African rapper dies aged 28 after 'collapsing on stage at festival'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  23. ^ King, Chris (12 March 2023). "South African rapper Costa Titch collapses and dies on stage in Johannesburg". Euro Weekly News. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  24. ^ Shumba, Ano (13 February 2023). "Soundcity MVP Awards 2023: All the winners". Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  25. ^ Banda, Clive (14 February 2023). "Costa Titch Reacts To Winning The Soundcity Viewers Choice Award". Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  26. ^ Khumalo, Elizabeth (24 September 2022). "All Africa Music Awards unveils 2022 nominees". Further Africa. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Gen Z music stars dominate AFRIMMA 2022 nomination list". Sunnewsonline. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  28. ^ Israel, John A (14 November 2020). "SA Hip Hop Awards (SAHHA) 2020 – Full List Of Nominees". Retrieved 14 November 2020.