Singer-songwriter Oliver Tree tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro along with five others. Just over a month before his death, the artist offered a candid look at how he wanted his affairs to be handled after his passing.
Tree was in the middle of “The World’s First World Tour” supporting his fourth studio album when the tragedy occurred. Tributes from the entertainment community continue to pour in as more details about the accident are revealed.
On June 14, several news outlets reported that two helicopters crashed in Rio de Janeiro, resulting in the death of six people. According to CNN Brasil, one helicopter was traveling with only the pilot, Charles Marsillac, while the other had five people: pilot Alexandre Souza and four passengers, including 32-year-old Oliver Tree, Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, and Lucas Brito Chaves.
Reports indicate that the two helicopters collided mid-air before crashing in an electric vehicle yard, setting several vehicles ablaze. An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
Tree was in Brazil for “The World’s First World Tour” and last performed in São Paulo on June 6.
The Artist Talked About His Will In April
In late April, just over a month before his untimely death, Tree was on the “Zach Sang Show” to talk about his career and travels. Toward the end of the episode, Tree shared what he wanted his legacy to be after he passes.
Dressed in a Shrek costume with green makeup, the eccentric artist said of his music, “I don’t believe that any of the wealth or the things that get made from it is mine.” He continued to say that when he passes, “no one’s going to get a penny” among his family members, and that’s the way he set up his will. Tree said that if he ever had children, he would put them through college, “but they’re not going to be a silver spoon.”
“The idea is when I die, all the money’s going to go back to artists. So, I’ve set up a foundation. It’s called Doctor Oliver Tree’s Art Grants for Baby Geniuses. And it’s set up so that basically the interest generated from my music will take mostly that,” Tree said, adding that his work will probably be worth more after his death.
“People will finally appreciate my stupid f-cking videos, my f-cking stupid songs. That’s when people appreciate you, when you’re not there anymore,” Tree said.
Oliver Tree’s Rise To Fame
Tree developed an interest in music at an early age and studied Music Technology at the California Institute of the Arts, writing his thesis on how to make himself a viral meme.
Tree released some songs in the years following and signed with Atlantic Records in 2017. The next year, “Alien Boy” and its music video became a major hit, which propelled his mainstream success. His first studio album, “Ugly Is Beautiful,” was released in 2020, and it reached the top spot on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums Chart.
He also collaborated with other artists, including Whethan, Robin Schulz, David Guetta, Getter, and Diplo.
Tree’s last album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly,” was released on April 24, and he planned a massive global tour spanning more than 30 countries on all seven continents. He kicked off his tour on May 30 in Mexico, and he was scheduled to perform next in Lisbon, Portugal, in July before tragedy struck.
The Singer Left His Record Label
Tree’s last album was self-produced and released under his own record label, Alien Boy Records. He parted ways with Atlantic Records after eight years due to creative differences. The artist claimed that the label no longer supported his work and gave him a limited marketing budget because he “was not making songs for TikTok.”
In a video, Tree said he wasn’t in the entertainment business to create songs for TikTok. “The label doesn’t want to support the vision. Well, guess what? I don’t give a sh-t,” he said. The singer then shared that he was able to reach an agreement with Atlantic Records, and he could release his album on his own and leave the record label.
Tributes Pour In For Oliver Tree
Many entertainers, comedians, and artists paid tribute to Tree after hearing news of his passing. Singer Melanie Martinez, who was in a relationship with Tree for several months before their split in 2020, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram Stories.
“He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so 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, she wrote, adding that Tree had a “soft heart” and was a “true artist in every way.”
Kid Cudi also paid tribute to the singer, describing Tree as a “really amazing and beautiful human.” Bebe Rexha honored the late artist on X, saying he was a passionate and kind person. Comedian Whitney Cummings praised Tree’s talents, while also commending him as a person, writing, “Oliver is pure love and the best version of what an artist and person can and should be.”
