Music world reeling from loss of Oliver Tree,dead at 32 in helicopter crash in Brazil Sunday morning. Accident happened in Recreio dos Bandeirantes,Rio de Janeiro,when two helicopters collided mid-air . They crashed into electric vehicle yard,fire engulfed at least 20 cars . No survivors among six victims,including Tree and five others: passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, Lucas Brito Chaves,and pilots Alexandre Souza,Charles Marsillac. Investigation into cause ongoing.
Born Oliver Tree Nickell on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California,Tree made waves with his music and performance art. Eccentric persona,bowl haircut,oversized clothes — captivated online audiences . 2017's “When I’m Down” a turning point, led to Atlantic Records deal, Alien Boy EP,widened fan base.
Tree's albums: Ugly Is Beautiful (2020),Cowboy Tears (2022), Alone in a Crowd (2023), latest Love You Madly,Hate You Badly dropped this year. Earlier project Splitting Branches showed his experimental side . Hits like “Life Goes On,” “Miss You” (feat. Robin Schulz), “Cash Machine,” “Alien Boy,” “Jerk” — defining tracks with striking videos .
After news of his death, tributes flooded in from fans, artists. Singer Melanie Martinez,Tree's former partner,shared heartfelt message. "Been an absolute wreck today . It’s really hard to understand how someone who you once shared such a specific and formative time of your life with can all of a sudden be gone." Martinez remembered Tree as passionate,dedicated, his infectious laughter. Ended with a personal note: "Rest in peace, Oliver. I know you’re making the angels giggle."
At time of passing,Tree was touring, recently performed in São Paulo. Planned shows in Europe, US,Asia. In recent The Zach Sang Show interview, he talked about wealth,legacy. Revealed his will gives none of his earnings to family. Instead, foundation “Dr. Oliver Tree's Art Grants for Baby Geniuses” supports emerging artists. Believed art often appreciated posthumously: "People will finally appreciate my stupid fking videos or my stupid fking songs. That's when people appreciate you, when you're not there anymore."
Oliver Tree,a multifaceted artist. Music, comedy, performance art — blended seamlessly. Distinctive style,thought-provoking lyrics resonated with many, carved unique space in music world. His untimely death leaves significant void…
