South African rapper Costa Tetch dies after the collapse of Ultra Festival

“Death has tragically knocked on our door. They rob us of our beloved son, brother and grandson,” read the statement, which was unsigned and posted on Costa Titch’s Instagram account. The statement thanked “the emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth.”

Videos posted on social media appeared to show Costa Teach leaning forward during his performance. In one of them, an unknown man grabs him on stage and helps him, after which the rapper continues to perform. But after a few seconds, it seems to fall apart again.

Videos cannot be independently verified. It was Costa Teach scheduled to lead Saturday night at the Ultra Music Festival in Nasr City, a suburb of Johannesburg. The festival organizers said in a statement Twitter expressed that they were “devastated” by the artist’s death, describing him as a “talented rapper, dancer, songwriter, collaborator, and festival friend.” They did not provide information about how he died and could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Fans and fellow artists online expressed their sadness and dismay at the news of the rapper’s death. “RIP Costa Titch.” Great talents disappeared too soon.” chirp South African and American artist Leslie Jonathan Mambi Jr., who goes by Da Lys

Southern African Music Rights, a copyright group representing artists in the country, offered their “heartfelt condolences” to the family of Costa Teach.

It was the second high-profile death in South Africa’s dynamic rap scene in just a few weeks. Kiernan Forbes, 35, AKA the stage name, died last month after being shot outside a restaurant in Durban, on the country’s southeast coast. AKA Costa Tech They released an album together in 2021.