American musician, songwriter and internet personality Oliver Tree has reportedly died in a tragic helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was 32.
According to local authorities, six people were killed when two helicopters collided mid-air on the morning of June 14. Oliver Tree was among those who lost their lives in the accident.
Brazilian aviation safety officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, according to reports.
Known for his unconventional music, eccentric humour and instantly recognisable visual style, Tree built a global fanbase through a blend of alternative pop, electronic music and internet culture. His signature bowl haircut, colourful outfits and surreal music videos made him one of the most distinctive figures in contemporary pop entertainment.
Born in California, Tree began his music career under the name “Tree,” producing dubstep and electronic tracks. He released his debut EP *Demons* in 2013 and gradually gained attention within the independent music scene.
His breakthrough came in 2016 when the song ‘When I’m Down’, created with producer Whethan, went viral online. The success led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records and marked the beginning of his career as Oliver Tree.
Tree achieved international recognition with the release of his 2018 EP ‘Alien Boy’. The project became a major turning point in his career, with its music videos attracting hundreds of millions of views across digital platforms. The success established him as a leading name in the alternative pop and electronic music landscape.
His popularity soared further through social media. In 2021, ‘Life Goes On’ became a viral sensation on TikTok, introducing his music to a new generation of listeners worldwide. The success was followed by another global hit, ‘Miss You’, which dominated streaming platforms and social media trends.
Over the years, Tree amassed millions of followers across digital platforms, while his songs generated billions of streams on Spotify and other music services.
At the time of his reported death, Tree was in the midst of what had been described as the biggest world tour of his career. He was promoting his fourth studio album, ‘Love You Madly, Hate You Badly’.
The tour began in Mexico City in May and had already included performances across several Latin American countries. Dozens of additional shows were scheduled across Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Africa in the coming months.
Tree’s sudden death marks the loss of one of the internet era’s most unconventional and influential musical personalities, whose blend of music, satire and performance art resonated with audiences around the world.
