Africa is not holding anything back, creatively speaking. Actors, musicians, artists, performers, dancers, designers, chefs, heck, just about anyone walking past you on Mzansi’s streets, are positively bursting with a talent of sorts. No longer content to wait for the rest of the globe to show us the way, Africa is defining cultural movements. Drawing from a heritage bank rich in diversity, street smarts and urban relevance, is rapper Costa Titch, who had the gumption to take on a much-loved song like Mandoza’s “Nkalakatha” and make it his own.

 Emerging with a viral hit, “Nkalakatha”, eloquently spitting verse in the local vernacular and having hip-hop royalty Riky Rick and AKA jump all over the remix, Costa Titch is the complete package. A strong visual aesthetic (including green dreads), true and authentic talent, imaginative with a sense humour and, more importantly, an original Afro-centric take on the trap genre, presents the most unlikely crossover jams, from mosh pits to underground urban/suburban parties.

Nelspruit-born dancer-turned-rapper Titch has been nothing if not diligent and determined. Following a transition from accomplished choreographer to making music, he has dropped numerous EP’s including trap projects For Real Trappers Only, OMWTFB, Wonderland EP, Fallen Kings and Discharge. Gqom Land, a three track EP considers his adept execution of gqom beats in a surprisingly fresh manner. He has a deft handling of language and storytelling and is freakishly charming with a growing popularity.

Costa’s live performances certainly draw from his background as a dancer, working the crowd with an undeniable stage presence and implicit sense of timing. With an experimental approach to production and imaginative collaborations (casting the country’s hottest young rappers: PatricKxxLee, Gator and Papa Stash the Champagne69 duo, DJBril Cisse, Vegasxcesar, Boskasie and others), Titch guarantees a no-holds barred, spirited energy on his tracks. We’ll be keeping a close eye on his journey.