Music World Mourns: Oliver Tree, 'Life Goes On' Singer, Dies in Tragic Helicopter Crash
Genre-blending artist Oliver Tree has reportedly died at 32 after a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while on his "World’s First World Tour." The acclaimed singer, known for his eccentric persona and recent album release, was among six fatalities. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Oliver Tree, the distinctive genre-blending singer, songwriter, and producer, has reportedly passed away at the age of 32 following a tragic helicopter crash in Brazil. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 14, over Rio de Janeiro, when two helicopters collided, claiming the lives of Tree and five other individuals. Reports from CNN Brazil and the Associated Press identified the other victims as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, and Lucas Brito Chaves, alongside pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. The collision site was pinpointed in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a neighborhood located in Rio de Janeiro’s western zone. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fatal crash, and Billboard has sought comment from Tree's representatives.
At the time of his passing, Oliver Tree, whose full name was Oliver Tree Nickell, was in South America as part of his ongoing "World’s First World Tour." He had recently performed in São Paulo on June 6 and had upcoming tour dates scheduled, including Lisbon, Portugal, in early July, with further engagements planned across the United States, Europe, Australia, and China. Known for his unique aesthetic, which included a signature bowl haircut and an eccentric stage persona, Tree had just released his fourth studio album, "Love You Madly Hate You Badly," in April.
Born on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, Oliver Tree embarked on his musical journey with the release of his EP, "Demons," in 2013. His career gained significant momentum with the 2016 single “When I’m Down,” a track that played a pivotal role in securing him a deal with Atlantic Records the following year. Through Atlantic, Tree released a series of successful studio albums: "Ugly Is Beautiful" in 2020, "Cowboy Tears" in 2022, and "Alone in a Crowd" in 2023, followed by his most recent work, "Love You Madly Hate You Badly," released in April. Prior to his major label signing, he had independently released the album "Splitting Branches" in 2013 under the moniker Tree.
Oliver Tree's music achieved notable commercial success, with several of his tracks charting prominently. His hit song “Life Goes On” reached an impressive No. 7 on Billboard‘s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in 2022. His debut major-label album, "Ugly Is Beautiful," critically acclaimed, topped Billboard‘s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart in 2020. Furthermore, his collaborative effort with Robin Schulz on “Miss You” climbed to No. 4 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in 2022, underscoring his versatile musical impact.