Musician Oliver Tree dies at 32 in helicopter crash

Singer-songwriter Oliver Tree, known for tracks like “Life Goes On,” “When I’m Down” and “Miss You,” was killed in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning. He was 32.

According to reports, two helicopters were involved in the crash that happened in the southwest of Rio de Janeiro. Six people were reportedly killed in the crash, including Tree.

Fans were left numb by the tragic news as Tree had been actively posting about his time in Brazil on his social media accounts till a day before the crash.

Widely known for his signature bowl cut and vibrant ‘80s fashion, Tree launched his music career in the San Francisco Bay Area electronic scene. Performing under the moniker “Tree,” he focused on producing dubstep before making his official solo debut in 2013 with his first EP, “Demons,” in 2013.

In 2016, Tree gained widespread recognition after featuring on Whethan’s breakout synth-pop single, “When I’m Down.” The track’s success quickly caught the attention of Atlantic Records, where he signed just a month later and released “Welcome to LA”, his official debut single under his full name Oliver Tree.

In 2018, with EP “Alien Boy”, Tree rose to fame not just in the field of electronic music but also in the social media space. His double music video “All That x Alien Boy,” which he penned and directed, garnered over 50 million views and introduced the audiences to his retro-oddball aesthetic.

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Tree had a massive following on social media, especially on TikTok, where he had a whopping 15.4 million followers. His biggest single on the platform, “Life Goes On,” debuted in 2021 and has been used in over 3.7 million videos, while his dance track “Miss You,” has been used 1.5 million times.

Tree was in the midst of his world tour for his fourth studio album, “Love You Madly, Hate You Badly,” which he had self-produced. The tour started in Mexico City on May 30, and included China, Japan, Antarctica, New Zealand and South Africa in its itinerary.

Tree’s ex-girlfriend, singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez, posted a tribute for him hours after the news of his death broke. “Been an absolute wreck today,” Martinez wrote on her Instagram Story. “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. He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected deeply. I think everyone who knew him will look back at those moments of laughter and joy he so easily sparked. His laugh was so contagious and warm. His ability to lead creatively and take action while also maintaining a sense of childlike wonder and awe was so inspiring. He had such a heart and was a true artist in every way.”

She added, “Rest in peace Oliver. I know you’re making the angels giggle. I’ll be here wondering what stunt and creative project you’re scheming up in heaven. All my love.”